BTS‘ j-hope has released a new single “on the street” with J. Cole today. Serving as a love letter to fans, the track also arrives alongside a music video, which can be seen now below. The lo-fi hip-hop track is an earworm with easy-listening melody and warm-hearted lyrics. j-hope participated in the songwriting and the creative process for the choreography and music video, delivering a hopeful message and warmth with the change of season.
The music video features j-hope freely vibing on the streets of New York City. From narrow streets to subway stations and a rooftop, j-hope takes the viewers through moments in life represented on the street. J. Cole also made an appearance in the music video. The music video ends with the two artists’ meeting on the rooftop.
j-hope took the word ‘street’ as a key motif for the song. ‘Street’ can be interpreted as a place where many people’s everyday lives pass by–a metaphor for life. The word also bears special meanings for j-hope as it comes from the genre ‘street dance’ that represents his roots as an artist. Street is where his musical inspirations come from and where he learns lessons of life. It also symbolizes the path he will continue to take with fans around the world.
For the song, j-hope is joined by one of his all-time favorite artists, rapper and producer J. Cole, as a featured artist. j-hope’s bright energy and J. Cole’s heartfelt rapping together create a unique synergy between the two artists.
j-hope held a Weverse live outdoors just prior to the release of “on the street (with J. Cole),” introducing and expressing his views about the song. Since the title “on the street (with J. Cole)” suggests his dream and the message of “a path to walk together” with fans around the world, he set out to engage fans in a novel way against the backdrop of the street.