American rapper and producer J. Cole quietly dropped a four-track mixtape titled “Birthday Blizzard ’26” just hours before his 41st birthday, giving fans an early taste of his highly anticipated album “The Fall-Off,” set for release on 6 February. Hosted by DJ Clue, the surprise release surfaced without warning, allowing the Fayetteville native to control the rollout entirely on his own terms.

The tracks are deeply rooted in Cole’s hometown, with references ranging from Hope Mills Road shoutouts on “Golden Goose Freestyle” to cover art featuring his childhood home and the Market House. Standout cuts include “Bronx Zoo Freestyle,” “Winter Storm,” and “99 Build Freestyle,” with one track spitting bars over Diddy’s Victory instrumental, complete with ad-libs from The Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes.

Fans can download the freestyles for as little as one dollar through Cole’s platform, with the option to pay more if they choose. More than a birthday drop, the mixtape offers a glimpse into Cole’s current mindset, revisiting past controversies, including his public apology to Kendrick Lamar, and reflecting on how those moments have shaped his standing in hip-hop.