The rap world is at a crossroads. In the face of shrinking budgets, music executives, resting on their laurels, search out the next YouTube sensation with a catchy hook and dance move in order to amass digital single sales. While many artists have tried to break through despite an industry melt down, few have been met with critical praise. And the applause for those that have has not been loud enough to sway the course of the current rap market. Looking to excel where his contemporaries have failed, North Carolina native J. Cole (born Jermaine Cole) brings promise of a new day in hip hop music.
Raised by his mother in North Carolina, J. Cole's hometown of Fayetteville would provide much of the sights and experiences that would come to shape his sound. Cole fell into rapping at the age of 12 when his cousin from Louisiana spent the summer in Fayetteville, showing him the basics of rhyming. He was instantly hooked. From there he delved deep into the music of hip hop luminaries including Tupac Shakur, Nas and Outkast, taking from them a love for telling stories with an unbridled rigor. Seizing every opportunity to write, at age 15 J. Cole found himself with composition notebooks full of rhymes but no beats of his own to lay them on. Determined to create original songs, he begged his mother for a beat machine so he could produce music solely for himself. She granted his wish and from there, a young Cole spent all his free time creating sounds and songs that would lay the foundation for what his style has evolved to today.
Feeling the need to be heard, J. Cole used college as a tool to chase his dreams. He attended St. John's University on an academic scholarship, choosing the school so that he could be in the heart of the music industry: New York City. After polishing his sound and graduating Magna Cum Laude, J. Cole is dropping his debut mixtape, properly titled "The Come Up" hosted by DJ On Point. A mash up of dusty, soul filled sound beds, raw, energetic drums and an endless range of topics—everything from the carefree days of college to the seemingly endless plight of those have-nots scrapping for change—The Come Up puts J. Cole's broad palette of lyrical and production talents on display. "All a nigga wanna do is take his momma from that, but they rather lock us up and make sure we don't come back," he vehemently spits over the cascading keys and triumphant strings of the self produced "Lil' Ghetto Nigga."
With such a diverse display, J. Cole is poised to wake up a dormant industry and cement his name in this game. But more than that, with his debut studio album currently in production, he hopes to change the tide of current rap music, swaying it in a more insightful, meaningful and passionate direction."
What's good J? I heard you on Wale's album and you killed that man on his own shit, LOL! Why you do dat??? But anyway, I'm really glad to see that your doing well. I'ma try to see you in concert. I know that with you and all of the other talented acts from here, NC will become the next dominant state in this game. I'm really proud of you and proud of the fact that we both rep the same state. Keep doing ya thang and make sure to give Jay a run for his money again whenever ya'll do another collabo. 1....
Yo Cole wassup? I was listening to da school days joint u got and it's crazy how every person that listens 2 dat song can relate 2 it man. You're one of my biggest influences in hiphop right now keep it up man. J.S
Whats goin on?! Thanx for the add i really appreciate that. and the game needs more mc's like you cole. keep it up. P.S. you killed it on the blueprint 3. 1Love
what up cole jus wanna tell ya they lovin you down in the ville.. hope all is well in the nyc.. anyways keep doin ya thing and keep ya head up.. non bball mudda suckka lol ya boy fab
J. Cole! You are sick man! I'm bumping that Warm Up right now! I'm looking forward to your debut man! You are definitely one of the future leaders of hip hop! Much props!
J Cole, son your a beast, i fucks with both of ur mixtapes and u da futuer, ive been putting ppl on early, so yea good shit, and u def gon blow...pause
A cole I Got so maany noggas up on ya music and dey was all feelin ya shit... every real nigga cud relate to dat ''school daze'' song .. JERSEY RIGHT BEHINd YOU MA NIGGA
Thanks for the add...Love the music can't wait for CD I know its gone blow up we need more music like this now-a days...Keep doing you and best wishes!
