J. Cole Biography & Music




J. COLE BIOGRAPHY

With his first album Cole World: The Sideline Story, the Fayetteville, North Carolina MC solidified his position as a bonafide rap star touring the world with hit records and then earning himself a nomination at the 54th Grammy Awards. Now with his sophomore LP Born Sinner scheduled for a June 25 release on Roc Nation/Sony the once humble kid stands tall as confident man on a musical mission.

"I didn’t know conceptually what it was going to be, I just knew that I had to come right back. I wasn’t satisfied with the first album," Cole says of Born Sinner.

Cole’s first album hit #1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart when it was released in September 2011, earned him a gold plaque and spawned the platinum-selling, hit-single "Work Out." He promises Born Sinner will top it all. "I think I’m somebody that’s finally starting to realize how good I am and starting to realize I can do anything I put my mind to, as cliche as it sounds," he says.

Jermaine Cole got his start rapping and producing as a teen in North Carolina. In 2009 he signed to JAY Z’s Roc Nation then dropped his The Warm Up (2009) and Friday Night Lights (2010) mixtapes, which paved the way for his major label debut. He now stands as one of music’s most respected and sought after rap lyricists. Not only has Cole crafted underground favorites with Wale ("Beautiful Bliss "), Reflection Eternal ("Just Begun") and French Montana ("Diamonds") he has been called on by music’s biggest stars JAY Z ("A Star is Born"), Beyoncé ("Party" remix) and Kanye West ("Looking for Trouble").

Having experienced a healthy amount of success early on, for Born Sinner Cole made a creative return to the routines that initially got him his deal. "I got back to what it used to be, straight making music in the bedroom. No studio," he says.

The shift resulted in "Power Trip," Born Sinner’s multi-layered first single featuring Grammy Award-winning R&B vocalist Miguel. Cole released the song on Valentine’s Day 2013 and already has cracked the top 10 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Rap charts. The song’s melodic sample-based instrumental creates the perfect sound bed for Cole’s deep lyrical whims which center around the complex feelings that love can create. Its groundbreaking video only enhances the experience, telling a dark tale of obsession and murder.

"This single is so organic. It happened at a time where I needed to get away from the studio," Cole says. "I just start cooking up in the house. I started with the drums, added the sample, added the music, then I added that percussion and bass line and started humming melodies. That was a fun night, probably the most fun I’ve had in a long time making a song."

Cole’s story begins with music, but extends so far outside of the recording studio. In February he was invited to Harvard University to spearhead an hour-long lecture titled "The Next Move: A Conversation With J. Cole," where he spoke with students about his early influences, dreams of playing professional basketball in the NBA and lyrical inspiration. It’s that same story that inspired all of the music on Born Sinner, which Cole produced in its entirety. "The things that I’ve been through is the reason for that, it all makes me stronger," he says. "All that will be told on the album, people will get it."

 

Facebook

Best guide to hip hop, soul, reggae concerts & events in San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles & New York City + music, videos, radio and more

Connect

Subscribe to E-Blast

WIN TICKETS

Earth, Wind & Fire
Friday, June 27 @ Greek Theatre, Berkeley

Macy Gray
Saturday, July 12 @ Palace of Fine Arts, SF

Thievery Corporation
Saturday, Sept 6 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Yung Lean
Saturday, Oct 11 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Members

Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Latest Activity

Editor's Pick posted discussions
16 hours ago
Tampa Mystic posted a blog post

Locked In and On the Rise: PartyBoi & Kristy Love Deliver Feel-Good Anthem with Twin Luv

Milwaukee-bred and Atlanta-based artist PartyBoi is turning up the love and energy with his latest single Twin Luv featuring Kristy Love. Released under PartyBoi Entertainment and produced by DubOnThaTrack, the record celebrates connection, loyalty, and hustle, all wrapped in a catchy hook that shouts: “Go twin, go twin, dats…See More
yesterday
realmuzik posted a discussion

TAVE Returns With New Hit Single “BLOCK” ft. IDK

“BLOCK” is a powerful new single from Grammy nominated R&B sensation TAVE, featuring none other than acclaimed British-American rapper IDK and 13-time Grammy-nominated icon, Musiq Soulchild.“BLOCK” is a soul-drenched collision of hip-hop and R&B - a warm, nostalgic soundscape pulsing with honesty and intention.  The track challenges surface-level assumptions and…See More
yesterday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Monday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Saturday
Editor's Pick updated an event
Thumbnail

Phutura featuring Egyptian Lover, DJ Babu (Beat Junkies), Double Peas, 45 Sessions crew at Public Works, SF

July 26, 2025 at 9:30pm to July 27, 2025 at 2am
SATURDAY, JULY 26 Public Works & Platurn Productions bring youPhuturaFeaturing Egyptian Lover DJ Babu (Beat Junkies) + Double Peas (Las Vegas) headlining with support from The 45 Sessions crewGold Digger Records vinyl mart & Roll Up Gallery art show (starts at 4pm)@ Public Works, 161 Erie St., San Francisco 9:30pm -…See More
Saturday
realmuzik posted a discussion

Lil Mike Drops Highly Anticipated Single “Weight Up”

Michael Jones, who goes by the family given name Lil Mike, is a hip hop artist born and raised in Anderson, Indiana. Making his debut as an up and coming artist, the Indiana native quickly took a strong passion to music at the age of 11 or 12. He soon surfaced his unique and experimental sound with hip hop. With influences like 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, Andre 3000, Tupac,…See More
Saturday
Tampa Mystic posted a blog post

Money Stacks Drops Gritty New Single “Cold Dayz” from Upcoming Album ‘Back To Da Streets 7’

Harlem’s own Money Stacks returns with powerful storytelling and raw lyricism in his latest single “Cold Dayz,” released on March 7, 2025. Produced by Alfastarbeats and engineered by Dan.Akill, the track dives deep into the harsh realities and emotional weight of past struggles, the kind of memories that shaped the artist’s path. With the opening bar setting the tone, “Cold Dayz” captures the pain and truth poured from pen to pad. It’s a reflective piece, not just music but art carved from…See More
Saturday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Friday
Olivia Perry posted blog posts
Friday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Jul 17
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Jul 16

© 2025   Created by Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service