J-Hope got his wish. After citing J. Cole as a major inspiration, the BTS member recruited the Dreamville MC for his new track and music video “On the Street.”
J-Hope teased the release earlier this week, after announcing he had initiated the military enlistment process in South Korea. Hope is the second BTS member, following Jin, to enlist for the country’s mandatory military service. Shortly after the announcement, Hope’s label, BigHit, confirmed new music was on the way.
“We are happy to inform you that BTS member J-hope will be releasing a solo single ‘On the Street,’” the imprint wrote, before shedding more light on the song. “J-Hope wrote the track to share his candid feelings toward his fans. The title ‘on the street’ refers to J-Hope’s roots—street dance—from which his dream to become an artist began, and the path the artist and fans will continue to walk together.”
You can stream the single now on all major platforms and check out its official video above.
Hope saluted J. Cole on BTS’ 2014 cut “Hip Hop Lover.” “Hope hope world/Before I made my own world, Cole world/Ever since he shone on Friday nights,” he rapped on the track, referencing 2011’s Cole World: The Sideline Story album and the 2010 mixtape Friday Night Lights.
The K-pop star went on to praise Cole in a 2022 interview with Disney+ Korea.
“In a way...after I started to make music, I guess his music motivated me, like, ‘I should make my music in a certain way,’” Hope said about Cole’s influence. “As I started making my music, he was my muse, and I still do respect him. He’s one of the artists that I hope to work with.”
