AUDIO: c l o s e by J. Cole

In the penultimate song from J Cole’s sixth studio album, The Off-Season, J Cole reminisces about the times he’s had with one of his close friends before his friend gradually succumbed to the temptations of crime and drugs. The song culminates with the apparent murder of J Cole’s friend as Cole laments over their deteriorating friendship.

The track is self-produced by J Cole and pays homage to MF DOOM, sampling the late rapper’s song “Valerian Root”.