Run a Train
| "Run a Train" | |
|---|---|
| Song by J. Cole and Future | |
| from the album The Fall-Off | |
| Released | February 6, 2026 |
| Recorded | 2016–2026 |
| Genre | Hip-hop |
| Length | 4:02 |
| Label | |
| Songwriters |
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| Producers |
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"Run a Train" is a song by American rappers J. Cole and Future, released on February 6, 2026 from the former's seventh studio album The Fall-Off. It was produced by T-Minus, Jūn Tetra & Gldy Jr and Mario Luciano.
Critical reception
The song received generally positive reviews. Carl Lamarre of Billboard ranked it as the 12th best song from The Fall-Off, writing "With a fistful of punchlines — including *NSYNC and Rip Hamilton namedrops — Cole's lyrical dagger stays sharp as Future holds it down on hook duties."[1] Alexander Cole of HotNewHipHop remarked "it has a truly gorgeous instrumental. In fact, one thing that is for certain about this album is that the production is out of this world. Of course, so is the rapping. This is another storytelling track from Cole, who is using every single trick in his playbook to craft a beautiful new song. This is absolutely one of those songs that we will have to revisit."[2] Benny Sun of Pitchfork had a negative reaction toward the song, stating "Cole remains a technically strong rapper but often gives the impression he's reading directly out of a notebook. His verses on 'Run a Train' sound like they were designed for one of those videos mapping out MF DOOM rhyme schemes in different colors of highlighter." He additionally described it as having a "standout awful Future chorus and a tacky genocide allegory."[3]
Charts
| Chart (2026) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Hot 100 (Billboard)[4] | 58 |
| Global 200 (Billboard)[5] | 76 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[6] | 6 |
| Portugal (AFP)[7] | 194 |
| South Africa Streaming (TOSAC)[8] | 9 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[9] | 33 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10] | 12 |
References
- ^ Lamarre, Carl (February 6, 2026). "J. Cole's Final Album 'The Fall-Off': All 24 Tracks Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ Cole, Alexander (February 6, 2026). "Run A Train - Song by J. Cole featuring Future". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ Sun, Benny (February 10, 2026). "J. Cole: The Fall-Off Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ "J Cole Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ "J Cole Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. February 13, 2026. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ "Top 200 Singles Semana 07 de 2026" (PDF) (in European Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. p. 9. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ^ "Local & International Radio Chart Top 20 – Week 07, 2026". The Official South African Charts. February 20, 2026. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
- ^ "J Cole Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ "J Cole Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2026.