J. Cole Performs 'Be Free' on 'Letterman'

With 2014 Forest Hills Drive in stores, J. Cole paid a visit to “The Late Show with David Letterman” on Wednesday. But instead of performing a song off his new album, he paid tribute to Mike Brown and Eric Garner with “Be Free,” a song that he released in August. Clad in all black, Cole closed his eyes as he delivered the emotional lyrics, and debuted some new bars.

“Forget this chain ’cause this ain’t me / Though I’m eternally grateful to Jay Z,” he raps.

2014 Forest Hills Drive is expected to sell 320-350k in its first week, but Cole brushed off the projections.

“Album in stores now. 2014 Forest Hills Drive. No thank you on projections. Just did Letterman, I’ll never forget it. Thank you God,” he tweeted.

Watch his powerful performance below.