J. Cole’s legacy continues to expand as he brings more of his iconic back catalog to streaming services. The Dreamville artist has just made his 2009 mixtape The Warm Up available for digital listening—following closely behind the recent addition of his debut project, The Come Up.
Released on Friday, November 22, The Warm Up is now accessible to fans worldwide. Ibrahim “Ib” Hamad, J. Cole’s long-time manager and close collaborator, took to social media to express his excitement over this release, acknowledging the mixtape’s monumental role in Cole’s career.
“The Warm Up is out everywhere now,” Hamad shared on X (formerly Twitter). “It took us 15 years, but we’re finally here. This project means so much to me, it really put Cole in the game. We’ve never looked back since. I’m forever grateful for this project—it changed lives forever.”
The Warm Up is an essential piece of J. Cole’s journey to superstardom. It’s not just a mixtape but a pivotal moment that helped launch his career, with tracks that would go on to define his early sound and storytelling style. The mixtape’s streaming debut also coincides with the third episode of Cole’s audio series, Inevitable, which explores the process and significance of this landmark project.
Just days before this release, Cole shared his debut mixtape, The Come Up (2007), on streaming platforms, further cementing his early works for a new generation of listeners. On November 18, Cole announced the arrival of The Come Up on Instagram, stating, “The beginning. The Come Up finally available on DSPs.”
Hamad echoed the sentiment in a heartfelt post, noting, “17 years later. Better late than never. My brother @realcoleworld The Come Up is out now everywhere. This project really started everything for us. I might shed a tear.”
The Come Up includes 17 tracks, featuring fan favorites like “School Daze,” “Simba,” and “Dollar and a Dream.” It also showcases Cole’s early use of iconic beats from Nas, JAY-Z, and Kanye West.
The Inevitable audio series, which is co-hosted by Cole, Hamad, and frequent collaborator Scott Lazer, delves deeper into Cole’s rise from an aspiring rapper to one of hip-hop’s most influential artists. Season 1 focuses on Cole’s growth, highlighting his journey through both struggles and triumphs.
Listeners are in for a raw, honest narrative about the making of Cole’s iconic projects, and as the first season progresses, fans can expect more stories leading up to his groundbreaking 2014 Forest Hills Drive.
