J. Cole is officially back.
The North Carolina rapper dropped the Birthday Blizzard ’26 mixtape last night in time for his birthday, which is today. The tape is hosted by the legendary DJ Clue? out of Queens — who also once released his own Birthday Blizzard ’96 mixtape back in the day — and includes four freestyles where Cole raps over mixtape freestyle beat mainstays like Diddy‘s “Victory,” Black Rob‘s “Can I Live,” Biggie‘s “Who Shot Ya?” and the LOX‘s “Money, Power, Respect.” Cole spent a lot of time in Queens when he went to St. John’s, and also grew up with rap during Clue’s prime, so him going this route shouldn’t really be a surprise to anybody.
With his seventh studio album The Fall-Off set to be released on February 6, Cole felt the need to remind his fans, the naysayers and the media that he can rap at a very high level. Now, whether or not it’s enough to have people believe he’ll ever be worthy of the throne again remains to be seen — but this is a good start.
People tend to forget that rappers throughout history have gotten into battles that they lost and were able to dust themselves off and try, try again. Jadakiss lost to Beanie Sigel once upon a time and so did Cole’s Roc Nation boss Jay-Z when he took an L to Nas and he’s still considered the god MC Jay Hova. It happens. The one thing folks can’t come to grips with, though, is that he walked his diss back at Dreamville Fest and decided not to get int he ring at all, so for some, the “I’m the best to do this” raps don’t have the same bite.
Regardless, though, Cole can rap and he did a bunch of that on this tape and we picked some of our favorite bars. Check out the best lines on Birthday Blizzard ’26 below, and go study up on some old Clue? tapes that are floating around the Internet.
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“Memes say I’m humble, but trust this humility’s/ From witnessin’ violence and turned off utilities/ No man that’s rhymin’ can match my fluidity/ I’m Mike Jordan, Ant Edwards; n—a, you kiddin’ me?/ Cole gets older, but grows new abilities/ You didn’t know I’m Zeno with Goku agility”
Song: “Winter Storm Freestyle”
These are great lines, but I would be lying to you if I didn’t think they lost a little bite since he decided to back down from the Kendrick diss. We have to acknowleged the sports and Dragon Ball Z references, though. They sound amazing over the “Who Shot Ya?” beat. We’ll have to give Cole some grace for now, maybe he’ll be able to make a case for the crown again in the near future.
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“If the streams say you’re winnin’, why your tours is losin’?/ When the math ain’t mathin’, of course you’re juicin’/ That mean the bots is boostin’/ Cut the tough guy image, it is not conducive to breathin’/ Don’t gamble witcha life, ‘cause the opps is cruisin’/ Word to Mike Vick, your dog might get shot for losin’”
Song: “Golden Goose Freestyle”
Black Rob’s “Can I Live” beat has been a cheat code for freestylers everywhere. Cole’s label boss Jay-Z even went crazy over this same beat after Cassidy and T.I. sampled his voice on their singles “I’m a Hustla” and “Bring ‘Em Out.” However, instead of barking on rappers who used his voice to make a song, the Carolina MC is aiming at rappers who game the system with inflated streaming numbers. This line also cause a bit of stir on social media, with some thinking it may be directed at Drake.
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“At one time, my neck and wrist was havin’ so much ice/ You’d think I’m gettin’ dudes deported to a borderin’ turf/ These n—s swear they doin’ numbers, but it’s more to the story/ You bust it down, it’s botted streams and kids orderin’ merch/ When n—as hate, it’s like a blessin’ in the form of a curse/ I’ve been anointed since a quarter water slaughtered my thirst”
Song: “99 Build Freestyle”
He’s really been railing against bots and bundles on this tape. Maybe that’s why he didn’t put it on streaming just yet. I know that ICE line is kinda crazy, but he said it over the “Money, Power, Respect” beat, so it sounds kinda fire in that context.
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“In a Ferrari or Lamb truck switchin’ wide lanes/ Top down screamin’ out, “Them n—as all lame”/ Came up from the mud puddles, then it all changed/ Livin’ Ghetto Fab like my brother named Paul Cain/ Somewhere ‘long the way, I hate to say we lost shame/ Grown men peddlin’ gossip of all things/ I remember when it was rappin’ and ball-playin’/ Now the bread and butter is yappin’ and parlayin’”
Song: “Bronx Zoo Freestyle”
The “Victory” beat is a go-to when a rapper is trying to make a statement (i.e. Lloyd Banks), and Cole once rapped over this beat on when he was on the come up — but the one line that someone of my age appreciates comes with the Fabolous and Paul Cain mention. The mixtape supergroup Triangle Offense, consisting of Fabolous Sport, Paul Cain and Joe Budden, could often be heard on some of DJ Clue’s later mixtapes. You also have to appreciate the shot Cole takes at the rap podcastsphere, and the subject matter they often partake in.
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“I orbit the earth whenever I’m recordin’ a verse/ When I’m ready to drop, SETI gon’ report on it first/ Play my album for the corpse in a hearse/ It’s so live, the flow can make the rigor mortis on a mortal reverse/ These n—as reckless, tryna disrespect the lord of the church/ Get disconnected from your source, just like the cord at your birth”
Song: “99 Build Freestyle”
I’m going to make another reference that shows my age, so fair warning… The guys in Weekend at Bernie’s could’ve used Cole if his rhymes are so electric that they’re able to reanimate corpses.
