In a charming twist of fate and fandom, June 2013 saw two of hip-hop’s biggest names, Drake and J. Cole, making headlines for a memorable late-night shopping spree that perfectly encapsulated their camaraderie and mutual support. Fresh off J. Cole’s “Dollar & A Dream” show in New York City, the dynamic duo made an impromptu visit to the Best Buy store in Union Square. The reason? To purchase every copy ever made of J. Cole’s newly released album, Born Sinner.
Throwback video footage from 2013 shows Drake and J. Cole buying handfuls of Born Sinner CDs at a Best Buy in NYC around the time the album was released.
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) AUGUST 26, 2024
The scene was nothing short of surreal. The scene was literally quiet minutes after midnight, now in a drastic ferment of excitement and surprise. With some of the biggest names in the industry, including Drake and J. Cole, casually strolling through Best Buy, just their very presence was enough to make even the casual fans start to buzz. And clearly, that night their mission was to support J. Cole’s latest release in best and considerable fashion.
Immediately, their cart was filled with the Born Sinner CDs, literally buying out the entire store’s supply of the album. As they approached the cashier, there was no stock in the store left for the fans who saw what was happening. And things did not stop there for Drake and J. Cole. Besides that, other purchases they made during their spree were those of albums of other top performing artists, such as those by Sade, French Montana, Kendrick Lamar, and The Weeknd.
The moment really shimmered at check out. As the cashier called the total, Drake leaped and pulled his receipt-high, $888, all the way. Or at least, more so a nod to the significance of the record, which it was, and a playful showing of just how much support and friendship exists between the two artists. The receipt is now a collector’s item in its own right, representing true friendship between them and showing how far Drake would go to make it special for his friend.
The events of last night were more than just a great story; they inscribed a more important message of support and friendship within the music industry. In a world where public gestures can sometimes seem either calculated or self-serving, Drake and J. Cole’s spontaneous buy-back of every copy of Born Sinner was a breath of fresh air when it comes to artists feeling and expressing genuine support and celebration for one another.
It was a memorable night at Best Buy in Union Square—a hallmark for these two artists: a frozen moment representing their union and the delight of sharing a moment. For fans and onlookers, it was a reminder that beyond the superficial glitter of fame, the music industry has had moments of heartfelt support and camaraderie.
