Before BTS J-Hope‘s enlistment, he released the single “on the street,” featuring his longtime idol, American rapper and producer, J. Cole.
… 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.
We hope that J-Hope’s ‘on the street’ serves as a meaningful gift to everyone who supports the artist. Please look forward to J-Hope’s new song!
— BIGHIT MUSIC
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J-Hope met J. Cole when they headlined 2022 Lollapalooza in Chicago. He couldn’t help but fanboy!
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Finally, working with his hero, naturally, J-Hope got emotional. He shared that J. Cole even changed his mindset about language barriers and exchanged numbers.
we <j-hope and jcole> exchanged numbers and we’re talking. and i told him thank you and that it was an honor. and i said i was sorry we couldnt talk as much because i wasnt too skilled at english, but he said that its okay because compared to your english, my korean isnt good
— 미니융
(@miiniyoongs) March 3, 2023
J-Hope spoke more about his relationship with J. Cole during the new episode of Suga‘s YouTube series Suchwita. Suga asked J-Hope to “tell us about J. Cole.”
J-Hope explained that J. Cole had always been his inspiration. His stage name and the “Hope World” concept were all thanks to J. Cole’s influence on him.
Suga: Well, first, you have to explain why your name is j-hope again.
J-Hope: I guess you could say J. Cole is my muse, and my name j-hope was also influenced by J. Cole.
Suga: Right.
J-Hope: He was a huge influence on me.
Suga: You’re a fan who made it.
J-Hope: He was always my idol.
Suga: And his albums were really great.
J-Hope: Yeah! Like Cole World: The Sideline Story. I think the artist J. Cole’s style is the kind of style that I’m going for.
J-Hope revealed how his dream collaboration came to be too. When he met J. Cole at Lollapalooza, he impressed his idol by sharing that one of his favorite songs was from a mixtape rather than a mainstream album.
J-Hope: So, after Lollapalooza…
Suga: You met him then!
J-Hope: Yes. I think it all began after that I told him that I was a huge fan and that I always listened to his song “Higher.” He loved it when I mentioned, “Higher.” It’s like, for example, when someone talks about your mixtape. When I mentioned something that only true fans of his know, he was really happy about that.
Knowing that the two had exchanged contact info, Suga asked if they had stayed in touch. J-Hope spilled that this is actually how they really got serious about potentially collaborating. J-Hope had sent him a video message on New Year’s Day, expressing how much he aspired to work with J. Cole.
Suga: Do you call just to say hi sometimes?
J-Hope: Hey, Cole! Say hi? I even sent him a video message on New Year’s! I said that I really wanted to work with him and wished him a Happy New Year and all the best for his family. I told him I always pictured myself doing a project with him and ended the message with “Happy New Year.”
Suga: How could he say no to that? You’re so ambitious!
J. Cole sent J-Hope a video on another important day: the idol’s birthday! He gave J-Hope the best gift ever by sharing a project he had been working on.
J-Hope: Yeah, so he sent me something he worked on right around my birthday.
Suga: Wow… He might have known that it was your birthday.
J-Hope: Yeah, so it was a huge gift.
Suga: “I should send it to j-hope on his birthday as a surprise.” Anyway, congrats on being able to work with your muse and role model.
J-Hope: I was so, so thankful.
Previously, J-Hope revealed behind-the-scenes videos and pictures from “on the street (with J. Cole).” This included the original voice memo, featuring the melody and iconic whistling.
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J-Hope even shared the video he sent J. Cole for New Year’s that he told Suga about. It was just as sweet as you would imagine. No wonder J. Cole would be impressed to work with him!
What’s up, Cole? I’m J-Hope. Happy new year! I hope you and your loved ones are always happy and healthy. You’ve been a huge influence and inspiration for me ever since I first started making music many years ago, so I can’t wait for our J. Cole and J-Hope collaboration. It’s going to be a vibe. So, take care bro. Peace!
— J-Hope
— 홉온더월드 (@HOPEONWORLD_twt) March 15, 2023
Watch Suchwita Episode 14 with J-Hope below.
