J. Cole reveals why LeBron James carried ‘The Fall-Off’ album in arrival
LeBron James has been the subject of many memes over the years, and now we know the story behind one of them.
Before the Los Angeles Lakers’ March 19 road game against the Miami Heat, James arrived at the Kaseya Center in a warm-weather wardrobe: shorts, a short-sleeved button-down shirt and a bucket hat.
Despite James’ drip, fans spotted one thing that stood out upon his arrival: He was carrying a vinyl of rapper J. Cole’s latest album, “The Fall-Off,” in his right hand. However, it wasn’t about looks.
On Carmelo Anthony’s latest “7PM in Brooklyn” podcast, the rapper, whose real name is Jermaine Cole, explained why the Lakers star brought his album.
“On his way there, he had a vinyl of The Fall-Off – he brought it so I could sign it,” Cole said.
J. Cole Explains the Story Behind Bron Wearing “Fall Off” Vinyl 👀 pic.twitter.com/clWdiUbWzd
– 7 p.m. in Brooklyn (@7PMinBrooklyn) March 24, 2026
The North Carolina-raised rapper said he contacted James because he would be at the Lakers’ away game against Miami and wanted the 22-year NBA veteran to meet his children. J. Cole also said the Lakers star was his oldest son’s favorite player.
“My eldest [is] “Coming into basketball, Bron is his No. 1, and I hit Bron and he graciously said he would do it,” Cole said.
As Cole and his children watched the Lakers beat the Heat 134-126 behind Luka Doncic’s 60-point performance and James’ 19 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists, he expressed excitement about James meeting his children, which struck deeper as a celebrity.
“That man made me feel good… Bro, it was the craziest feeling seeing your kids meet a superhero – it was the first time I’d ever done shit like that,” Cole said.
“And it made me appreciate all the times where there was a father or something who had their kid and I could sign…or an autograph or take a picture. I like, ‘Oh my God.’ I hear the father in my mind: ‘Man, I really like this brother, thanks.’ But now that I’ve experienced it, I’m like, “Oh, I know what he meant now.” … You gave my son a lasting memory, so congratulations to Bron for that. »
Cole’s “The Fall-Off” is his seventh studio album. The 24-track album was released on February 6, featuring artists such as Future, Tems, Erykah Badu and more.
James is currently averaging 21 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.9 assists during the 2025-26 regular season.
