J. Cole released his third studio album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, Tuesday, Dec. 9, and went on the Late Show with David Letterman to perform "Be Free," which is not on the album. Cole's commentary on Ferguson and tribute to Michael Brown, he used the stage to make his voice heard on the current issues facing the African-American community. His performance captured the sentimentality of "Be Free," as Cole delivered each word with poise and emotion. A simple performance with little fanfare, Cole stood on stage moving little but still showed his time-tested charisma, while a keyboardist played the simple and moving instrumental in the background, reported Complex. He even wrote a new verse for the occasion and elicited a positive reaction from Letterman, who invited him back anytime.

"Be Free" has been the No. 1 trending song, according to Billboard, since it came out. Cole has been one of the few artists who have been using his status to protest the grand jury decisions in Ferguson and New York City, writing a song and going out on the streets and protesting.

Though the album leaked a week early, it has not lost any steam and is still one of the hottest records in the country. The album is poised to be his most successful to date. Though the numbers have not been confirmed, industry experts are predicting 2014 Forest Hills Drive will sell more than 300,000 copies in the first week. It would be his highest first-week sales, surpassing the 297,000 copies sold by 2013's Born Sinner. Those projected sales would land him at No. 1 overall and would give him the No. 1-selling hip-hop album of 2014, ahead of Rick Ross's Mastermind.

Readers: What did you think of Cole's performance on Letterman? Let us know what you think down in the comments section.

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