On November 17, 2014, J. Cole posted to social media that he was releasing an album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, in less than a month. He did so with no single, no video and no clear idea of how he was going to roll out the new project. Here’s an amazing short film from HBO that shows everything that happened from that day until the album’s release on December 19.

The film, titled “J. Cole: Road to Homecoming – F**k Money, Spread Love (Episode 1)”, is part of the lead up to Cole’s recently announced HBO Concert Special (1/9/16), where he will join the likes of Beyonce, Bono, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake and, mentor, Jay Z, as a part of the network’s vaunted series. In the video, Cole is shown literally from the moment he pushes the button on the tweet until the album’s release and the ultimate vindication of his decision to put art before commerce, with the best selling LP of his career.

He is seen going to fans’ houses to play the album for them, speaking at college campuses about his willingness to take on the responsibility of being a role model, filming his video for “Apparently,” and even hooping with friends. The film also shows the intense pressure of making his deadlines for turning the album in and the relentless grind associate with promoting an album. This is an intimate and candid look into Cole World.

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