J. Cole: Road to Homecoming
J. Cole: Road to Homecoming is a 2015 mini-documentary series about American rapper J. Cole, which concluded with the 2016 concert film Forest Hills Drive: Homecoming, covering his 2015 show at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The documentary series provides insight into the 2014 Forest Hills Drive album rollout, documents each act of the tour, and highlights of the 2015 Dollar & A Dream Tour.[1]
| J. Cole: Road to Homecoming | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Scott Lazer |
| Starring | J. Cole |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of episodes | 5 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Adam Roy Rodney |
| Producer(s) | Richard Clark Jr. Tim Grant Jon Muedder |
| Editor(s) | Valeria Gualdi Oliver Riley-Smith Alicia Hedley Maria Simone Williams |
| Distributor | HBO Dreamville Films |
| Release | |
| Original release | December 16, 2015 – January 9, 2016 |
Background
On December 15, 2015, Cole announced the mini-series which gives an intimate look at his creative process and the inner workings of his career. Upon the premiere date, J. Cole wrote:
This hour and a half special is actually the final piece of a 5 part mini-documentary series that we shot and edited at Dreamville Films this year. To keep it real, I'm just as excited about the first four episodes as i am the Homecoming film. These pieces all document some important moments from the last year of my life. [...] Once thing I know about myself is that I don't like to give too much of me outside of the music. I'm grateful of having my dream career of putting words together, flipping samples and making projects that make you feel something. With that said, I try to keep this relationship mostly about the music.[2]
Release
The first four episodes of the mini-series were released weekly, and included behind-the-scenes footage of the album's creation, music videos, and backstage on the tour.[3][4] Guest appearances included Kendrick Lamar, Wale, ASAP Ferg and Rihanna.[5][6] All episodes were available for free on Vimeo until January 9.
The concert film Forest Hills Drive: Homecoming aired January 9, 2016, on HBO and HBO Now, and includes guest appearances from Jay Z, Drake, and Wale. The film took place during his Forest Hills Drive Tour at his fall 2015 show at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, North Carolina.[7][8]
Reception
Critical response
Billboard called J. Cole a "fitting hometown hero" saying "while Cole places himself at the center of the Scott Lazer-directed production, he's not the star, instead choosing to cede the narrative to his hometown of Fayetteville."[9] Revolt praised the director saying "Lazer masterfully weaved Cole's personal story and the 2014 Forest Hills Drive homecoming concert together throughout the film."[10]
Music
On January 28, 2016, Cole released Forest Hills Drive: Live as well as the music video for "Love Yourz", which were recorded in the live concert film.[11][12]
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Fuck Money, Spread Love" | Scott Lazer | December 16, 2015 |
| 2 | "Ain't Nothin' Like That" | Scott Lazer | December 23, 2015 |
| 3 | "This Is What You Wanted" | Scott Lazer | December 30, 2015 |
| 4 | "Buses, Vans, and Trains" | Scott Lazer | January 6, 2016 |
| 5 | "Homecoming" | Scott Lazer | January 9, 2016 |
References
- Platon, Adelle. "Watch Episode 1 of J. Cole's 'Road to Homecoming' Miniseries". Billboard.
- "WATCH THE REVEALING FIRST EPISODE OF J. COLE'S 'ROAD TO HOMECOMING' HBO DOCUMENTARY". MTV.
- Augustin, Camille. "J. Cole Releases Part One Of Mini-Documentary Series Ahead Of HBO Special". Vibe. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
- Schwartz, Danny. "J. Cole's HBO Documentary "Road To Homecoming" (Episode 2)". hotnewhiphop. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
- Augustin, Camille. "Wale, Kendrick Lamar & Rihanna Join J. Cole In Episode 3 Of 'Road To Homecoming' Series". Vibe. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
- Danny Schwartz (January 6, 2016). "J. Cole's HBO Documentary "Road To Homecoming" (Episode 4)". hotnewhiphop. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
- Boehrer, Kat (January 28, 2016). "J. Cole Plans to Release Live Album on His Birthday". Complex. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
- "J. Cole Documentary Forest Hills Drive: Homecoming Coming to HBO". Pitchfork.
- Ex, Kris. "J. Cole Is a Fitting Hometown Hero In 'Forest Hills Drive: Homecoming' HBO Special: Review". Billboard.
- "Five Thoughts About J. Cole's 'Forest Hills Drive: Homecoming' Doc". Revolt.
- Kat Boehrer (January 26, 2016). "J. Cole Plans to Release Live Album on His Birthday". Complex. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
- Big Homie (January 29, 2016). "NEW VIDEO: J.COLE "LOVE YOURZ (LIVE)"". Rap Radar. Retrieved 30 January 2016.