Cole World: The Sideline Story is available for streaming once again. J. Cole’s debut LP is back on subscription streaming services after being removed from various platforms in early October.
J. Cole’s manager Ibrahim “Ib” Hamad announced the album’s return to streaming on Saturday (October 13), but he didn’t elaborate on why it disappeared in the first place.
“Back by popular demand, it’s a long story why it got taken down but just know it’s back,” he wrote. “Enjoy.”

Cole World was released in 2011 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.


J. Cole‘s debut album Cole World: A Sideline Story appears to have disappeared from all streaming networks. The revelation was made via social media, causing confusion from fans accustomed to perusing his catalog freely.

Dreamville President Ibrahim Hamad responded to the many tweets floated his way noting, “I’m aware of what happened and we will get it back up soon … You can stop tweeting me now.”

​It’s unclear exactly why the album was taken down and when it will return. Dreamville is obviously aware of the situation, but it’s also missing from the label’s official website. The bulk of his discography — including his highly acclaimed pre-Cole World mixtapes The Warm Up and Friday Night Lights — remain though.


Cole World was released in 2011 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
[This post has been updated. The following was originally published on October 3, 2018.]
J. Cole‘s debut album Cole World: A Sideline Story appears to have disappeared from all streaming networks. The revelation was made via social media, causing confusion from fans accustomed to perusing his catalog freely.

Cole World was released in 2011 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
[This post has been updated. The following was originally published on October 3, 2018.]
J. Cole‘s debut album Cole World: A Sideline Story appears to have disappeared from all streaming networks. The revelation was made via social media, causing confusion from fans accustomed to perusing his catalog freely.