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{{About|the American rapper|English Football Player |Joe Cole|the roadie for Black Flag and the Rollins Band|Joe Cole (roadie)}} |
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{{Cleanup|date=August 2011}} |
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{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> |
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| name = J. Cole |
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| image = J. Cole (DJ Zeke cropped out).jpg |
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| caption = |
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| image_size = |
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| background = solo_singer |
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| birth_name = Jermaine Lamarr Cole |
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| Also_known_as = |
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| alias = |
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| Born = {{birth date and age|1985|1|28}}<br>[[Frankfurt]], [[Germany]] |
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| origin = [[Fayetteville, North Carolina]]<ref>[http://jcolefans.com/?page_id=1221 A Star is Born]. J. Cole Fans. Retrieved on 2009-010-03</ref> |
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| instrument = vocalist, sampler |
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| genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]], [[R&B]] |
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| occupation = [[Rapping|Rapper]], [[Singing|singer]], [[Record Producer|producer]] |
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| years_active = 2007–present |
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| label = [[Roc Nation]], [[Columbia Records|Columbia]], [[Sony Music Entertainment]] |
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| associated_acts = [[Jay-Z]], [[Rihanna]], [[Wale (rapper)|Wale]], [[Kendrick Lamar]], [[Drake (entertainer)|Drake]], [[Fashawn]], [[Omen (music producer)|Omen]], [[B.o.B]], [[Talib Kweli]], [[Jay Electronica]], [[Big Sean]] |
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| website = {{url|www.jcolemusic.com}} |
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}} |
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'''Jermaine Lamarr Cole''' (born January 28, 1985), better known by his stage name '''J. Cole''', is a German born American rapper, singer and record producer. In 2009, he was the first artist signed to [[Jay-Z]]'s [[Record label|label]] [[Roc Nation]]. His debut album titled ''[[Cole World: The Sideline Story]]'' was released on September 27, 2011. |
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==Biography== |
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===Early life and career beginnings=== |
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Jermain |
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Cole, was born in [[Frankfurt]], [[Germany]] on January 28, 1985 to a [[European American]] mother and a [[African American]] father.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/648/j_cole_ready_to_roc_the_nation/ |title=J Cole interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' March 2011 |publisher=Bluesandsoul.com |date=2011-10-02 |accessdate=2011-10-12}}</ref> At the age of 8 months old, he relocated to [[Fayetteville, North Carolina|Fayetteville]], [[North Carolina]] where he was raised by his mother, aunt and his cousin. His father left him at a young age. Cole attended [[Terry Sanford High School]] in Fayetteville and graduated in 2003. He decided that he had a better chance of getting signed in [[New York City]], so he chose to attend [[St. John's University (New York City)|St. John's University]] on an academic scholarship where he majored in communication and minored in business, graduating ''[[magna cum laude]]''.<ref name="German Rhymes" >{{cite web|last=GermanRhymes|first=GermanRhymes|title=GermanRhymes.de - Interview with J. Cole|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oovaKXIttoo|work=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oovaKXIttoo|publisher=GermanRhymes|accessdate=April 18, 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/cole-jay-zs-protege-attended-college-closer-idol/story?id=8605048 Jay-Z Protege J. Cole Takes Unusual Path to Stardom]. ABC News.</ref> |
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J. Cole started rapping at the age of 14 when J. Money put him in the rap game and his cousin showed him the basics of rhyming and word play. Inspired mostly by rappers [[Canibus]] and [[Eminem]], Cole developed a love for telling stories in his lyrics.<ref>[http://www.rapbasement.com/j-cole/051810-j-cole-says-he-was-inspired-by-eminem-and-canibus-in-his-early-days-watch-here-click-now.html J Cole Inspired By Eminem & Canibus (Video)] RapBasement</ref> At age 15, J. Cole had notebooks filled with rhymes but no beats of his own to record them with. His mother bought him an 808 beat machine so he could produce music himself.{{citation needed|date=May 2011}} By the age of 17, he was posting songs on various [[internet forum]]s under the moniker "Therapist"<ref>[http://www.lattisawtapes.com/2011/05/j-cole-aka-therapist.html/ J COLE: Bref Control , May 2011]{{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref> J. Cole stood outside of Jay-Z’s place of business for three hours in order to give him a beat he sampled by Idris Muhammad, so that his mentor to be could use it. However, when Jay-Z came out of his building he shunned the up-and-coming rapper.<ref name=NardwuarServiette>{{cite web|last=NardwuarServiette|first=NardwuarServiette|title=Nardwuar vs. J. Cole|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij7Kw2Kc2UM|work=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij7Kw2Kc2UM|publisher=NardwuarServiette|accessdate=December 14, 2010}}</ref> Before J. Cole was signed to Roc Nation, he worked a job as a bill collector. One morning, he turned on his cell phone and noticed that he received a text from an associate asking him to call the associate back. When Cole returned the call, the associate informed Cole that he received a call from Jay-Z’s associates and that he had to meet with them as soon as possible. J. Cole decided not to stay at work and left to go back home to change and get ready for his meeting.<ref name=GrimeDaily>{{cite web|last=GrimeDaily|first=GrimeDaily|title=GRIME DAILY MEETS J. COLE [INTERVIEW 2011]|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4pDb1Tj9b8&feature=related|work=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4pDb1Tj9b8&feature=related|publisher=GrimeDaily|accessdate=Januar 10, 2011}}</ref> |
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He released his second mixtape, ''[[The Warm Up]]'', on June 15, 2009 to positive reviews. |
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Cole appeared on [[Jay-Z]]'s album ''[[The Blueprint 3]]'' (2009), on the track "A Star Is Born."<ref>[http://www.rapbasement.com/jay-z/081909-jay-z-back-cover-tracklist-for-his-new-blueprint-3-leaks.html J.Cole to appear on Blueprint 3]. Rap Basement. Retrieved on 2009-08-18</ref> He is featured on both [[Wale (rapper)|Wale]]'s debut album, ''[[Attention Deficit (album)|Attention Deficit]]'' (2009) and mixtape ''[[Back to the Feature]]'' (2009) respectively. |
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In early 2010, Cole was chosen as one of ''[[Beyond Race]] Magazine'''s "50 Great Breakthrough Artists," he ranked 49, resulting in the cover story of the publication's #11 issue, as well as a Q&A for the magazine's site.<ref>[http://beyondrace.com/articles/features/2245-j-cole ]{{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref> He was also featured in [[XXL magazine]] 2010 version of Top Ten Freshmen. |
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In January 2010, Cole, along with label mate [[Jay Electronica]] and [[Mos Def]] appeared on [[Talib Kweli]] and [[Hi-Tek]]'s single, "Just Begun" for the follow-up of [[Reflection Eternal]]'s album ''[[Train of Thought (Reflection Eternal album)|Train of Thought]]'' (2000), titled ''[[Revolutions per Minute (Reflection Eternal album)|Revolutions Per Minute]]'' (2010).<ref>Reflection Eternal - "Just Begun" feat. Jay Electronica, J. Cole, & Mos Def [http://www.thatsthatish.com/2010/01/reflection-eternal-just-begun-feat-jay.html]</ref> Cole has also appeared on [[B.o.B]]'s mixtape ''[[May 25th (mixtape)|May 25th]]'' (2010) on the song "Gladiators.<ref>{{cite web|author=VoodooChild |url=http://www.thatsthatish.com/2010/02/j-cole-knock-on-wood-x-gladiators-w-bob.html |title=J. Cole - "Knock On Wood" X "Gladiators" w/ B.o.B |publisher=Thatsthatish.com |date=2011-04-20 |accessdate=2011-10-12}}</ref> On March 31, he performed a new song titled "[[Who Dat (J. Cole song)|Who Dat]]", which was once the first single off of his debut album. He later released the song on April 27, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|author=VoodooChild |url=http://www.thatsthatish.com/2010/04/j-cole-who-dat.html |title=J. Cole: 'Who Dat' |publisher=Thatsthatish.com |date=2010-04-27 |accessdate=2011-10-12}}</ref> Cole was also featured on [[Young Chris]]' song "Still the Hottest" as well as [[Miguel (singer)|Miguel's]] debut single "[[All I Want Is You (Miguel song)|All I Want Is You]]."<ref>{{cite web|author=VoodooChild |url=http://www.thatsthatish.com/2010/04/j-cole-still-hottest-wyoung-chris-x-all.html |title=That's That...: J. Cole - "Still The Hottest" (w/Young Chris) x "All I Want Is You" (w/ Miguel) |publisher=Thatsthatish.com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-12}}</ref> Additionally, Cole was featured on titled "We On", a song that failed to make final tracklist for [[DJ Khaled]]'s ''[[Victory (DJ Khaled album)|Victory]]'' [[LP record|LP]].<ref>{{cite web|author=VoodooChild |url=http://www.thatsthatish.com/2010/04/j-cole-we-on.html |title=J. Cole - "We On" |publisher=Thatsthatish.com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-12}}</ref> |
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J. Cole began a college tour from March 19, 2007 to April 30, 2010 concluding in New Brunswick, NJ at Rutgers University's annual Rutgersfest. The tour also featured a stop at Syracuse University for a show with fellow rapper, [[Wiz Khalifa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyorange.com/feature/rapper-wiz-khalifa-set-to-perform-at-su-after-incarceration-1.1815889 |title=Rapper Wiz Khalifa set to perform at SU after incarceration - Feature |publisher=The Daily Orange |date=2010-12-02 |accessdate=2011-10-12}}</ref> |
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To celebrate the anniversary of the release of ''[[The Warm Up]]'' mixtape, J. Cole released a freestyle entitled "The Last Stretch" on June 15, 2010. On June 21 of that year, J. Cole premiered the music video to his first single "Who Dat" on [[Black Entertainment Television|BET]]'s [[106 & Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jcole.org/2010/j-cole-who-dat/ |title="Who Dat" music video |publisher=J. Cole |date= |accessdate=2011-10-12}}</ref> In August 2010 J. Cole, was awarded the UMA Male Artist of the Year thanks to his heralded ''The Warm Up'' mixtape and a high profile deal with Jay-Z's label Roc Nation at the 2010 Underground Music Awards. In an interview, J. Cole revealed three song names from his upcoming album, including "Wet Dreams", "Won't Be Long", and "Never Told", which was produced by [[No I.D.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jcole.org/2010/video-j-cole-speaks-on-final-album-selections/ |title=J. Cole reveals Debut Album Song Titles |publisher=Jcole.org |date= |accessdate=2011-10-12}}</ref> On October 30, 2010, a demo titled "I'm Coming Home" was leaked onto the internet, Cole recorded the song as a reference track for [[Sean Combs|Diddy]], which later became "[[Coming Home (Diddy-Dirty Money song)|Coming Home]]" off ''[[Last Train to Paris]]'' (2010).<ref>{{cite web|author=VoodooChild |url=http://www.thatsthatish.com/2010/10/j-cole-im-coming-home-demo.html |title=J. Cole - "I'm Coming Home (Demo)," thatsthatish.com |publisher=" thatsthatish.com |date=2010-10-30 |accessdate=2011-10-12}}</ref> |
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On November 12, 2010 J. Cole released his third official mixtape titled ''[[Friday Night Lights (mixtape)|Friday Night Lights]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|title=DOWNLOAD "FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS"!|url=http://www.jcolemusic.com/news/download-friday-night-lights|work=|publisher=JColeMusic|accessdate=May 19, 2011}}</ref> The tape included features from [[Drake (entertainer)|Drake]], [[Wale]] & Omen with most of the production being handled by Cole himself. |
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Cole served as a supporting act for [[Drake (entertainer)|Drake]], on the Light Dreams and Nightmares UK Tour, January 5–21, 2011. Cole will return to the UK in the Autumn to support [[Tinie Tempah]] on his 7-city Arena Tour which begins at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on October 31 and ends at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena on November 8 with a stop over at the 02 arena in London on November 4. Cole also supported [[Rihanna]] on the North American/Caribbean leg of her [[Loud Tour]] as the opening act, beginning in Baltimore in June 2011 and concluding in [[Barbados]] in August 2011. Rihanna announced in July 2011 via [[Twitter]] that Cole, who was already on the road with the singer, had been upgraded to the role of "official" tour opener and main warm-up act for the North American/Caribbean leg, after [[Cee Lo Green]] had to drop out of the [[Loud Tour]] due to other commitments. On January 17, 2011, J. Cole released a remix to Rihanna's third single, "[[S&M (song)|S&M]]", from her fifth studio album, ''[[Loud (Rihanna album)|Loud]]'' (2010). |
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On April 25, 2011, Vibe listed him at number 5 on their Vibe's list of Greatest Rappers Alive 30 Under 30.<ref>[http://www.vibe.com/photo-galleries/big-list-greatest-rapper-alive-under-30/25#tp The BIG List: The Greatest Rapper Alive (Under 30!)] [[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]</ref> Cole was nominated for Best New Artist at the [[2011 BET Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards/2011/nominees/best-new-artist.html|title=Best New Artist | BET Awards | Shows | BET |publisher=BET |date= |accessdate=2011-11-21}}</ref> |
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===2011–present: Any Given Sundays & ''Cole World: The Sideline Story''=== |
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On May 4, 2011 J. Cole wrote on [[Twitter]], "All singles done. Album ridiculous. Title Perfect. Music incredible. Thank you for your patience. Let's change the game." In June 2011 he announced that the recording of the album was finished, and that the release date is set for September later that year. Through Twitter, J. Cole later confirmed that the release date for his album would be September 27, 2011 and that the title is ''[[Cole World: The Sideline Story]]''.<ref>http://twitter.com/#!/JColeNC/status/65554185390800896</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Yuen |first=Vince |url=http://wegotthiscovered.com/music/cole-announces-album-title-release-date/ |title=J. Cole Announces Debut Album Title |publisher=Wegotthiscovered.com |date=2011-06-21 |accessdate=2011-10-12}}</ref> |
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On May 22, 2011, J. Cole released a song entitled "Return of Simba," the third in the "Simba series" following "Simba" and "Grown Simba." Cole purposefully avoided releasing his debut album’s title for fear of inconsistency. He only announced that Jay-Z will be featured on his debut album.<ref name=GrimeDaily>{{cite web|last=GrimeDaily|first=GrimeDaily|title=GRIME DAILY MEETS J. COLE [INTERVIEW 2011]|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4pDb1Tj9b8&feature=related|work=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4pDb1Tj9b8&feature=related|publisher=GrimeDaily|accessdate=January 10, 2011}}</ref> Cole released his follow-up single to "Who Dat", "[[Work Out (song)|Work Out]]" on June 15, 2011, in honor of the second anniversary of his highly acclaimed mixtape ''[[The Warm Up]]''.<ref>[http://www.missinfo.tv/index.php/j-cole-delivers-the-first-single-work-out-off-his-upcoming-debut-album/ J. Cole Debuts His First Single “Work Out”, Off His Upcoming Debut Album] ''MissInfo.tv''</ref> The song, produced by Cole himself, [[Sampling (music)|samples]] "[[The New Workout Plan]]" by Kanye West and [[Interpolation (music)|interpolates]] "[[Straight Up (Paula Abdul song)|Straight Up]]" by [[Paula Abdul]].<ref>[http://www.whosampled.com/sample/view/101875/J.%20Cole-Work%20Out_Kanye%20West-The%20New%20Workout%20Plan/ J. Cole's Work Out sample of Kanye West's The New Workout Plan] ''WhoSampled''</ref><ref>[http://www.whosampled.com/sample/view/101874/J.%20Cole-Work%20Out_Paula%20Abdul-Straight%20Up/ J. Cole's Work Out sample of Paula Abdul's Straight Up] ''WhoSampled''</ref> |
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On July 31, J. Cole took to Twitter and his website to announce Any Given Sunday. Reminiscent of [[Kanye West]]'s [[G.O.O.D. Fridays]], a weekly free music [[Gratis|giveaway]]. J. Cole wrote "Every Sunday til the album drops I’ll be back with something. Maybe just 1 song, maybe a video, depending on how I’m feeling." For the 3rd installment of his Sunday series, "Any Given Sunday", J. Cole hopped on Ustream to update fans about the album and play some tracks that didn't make the cut. On August 22 Cole released his debut album's cover art, designed by Alex Haldi for Bestest Asbestos, whom J. Cole recorded a song for titled "Killers", for Haldi's mixtape ''The Glorification of Gangster''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Name (required) |url=http://lifepulseblog.com/2011/03/15/dope-project-alert-the-glorification-of-gangster-art-exhibit/ |title=DOPE PROJECT ALERT: The Glorification Of Gangster Art Exhibit « LIFE Pulse Blog |publisher=Lifepulseblog.com |date=2011-05-12 |accessdate=2011-10-12}}</ref> For the fourth installment, on August 29, he released his debut album's track list, once again through twitter.<ref>[http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2011/08/29/j-cole-cole-world-the-sideline-story-tracklist/ J. Cole – Cole World: The Sideline Story (Tracklist)] 2DopeBoyz.com</ref> On August 15 a music video was released for the album's first single "Work Out" on YouTube, Vevo and 106 & Park. |
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On August 30, after an unfinished version had leaked, "[[Can't Get Enough (J. Cole song)|Can't Get Enough]]" featuring R&B singer [[Trey Songz]] was released as the album's [[lead single]]. While in [[Barbados]] for his last performance as the official opening act for [[Rihanna]]'s [[Loud Tour]], Cole shot the music video for his debut album's second single, "Can't Get Enough", with Songz and Rihanna, who provided a cameo while in her home town.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vibe.com/photo-galleries/peep-rihanna-hangs-out-j-cole-and-trey-songz-cant-get-enough-shoot |title=Peep This: Rihanna Hangs Out With J. Cole And Trey Songz At The 'Can't Get Enough' Shoot |publisher=VIBE |date=2011-10-08 |accessdate=2011-10-12}}</ref> The video, directed by Clifton Bell, was released on September 14, 2011. In addition early on September 25, two days before his album's release, Cole released a music video for the iTunes bonus track "Daddy's Little Girl". |
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On October 24, it was announced by J. Cole that his sophomore album will be released in June 2012. He had mentioned that the album will consist of songs that never made the track list for his debut album.<ref>http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.17358/title.j-cole-says-his-sophomore-album-will-arrive-in-june-2012</ref> |
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== Discography == |
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{{Main|J. Cole discography|J. Cole production discography}} |
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;Studio albums |
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* ''[[Cole World: The Sideline Story]]'' (2011) |
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;Free EPs |
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* ''Any Given Sunday #1'' (2011) |
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* ''Any Given Sunday #2'' (2011) |
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* ''Any Given Sunday #5'' (2011) |
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;Mixtapes |
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* ''[[Before The Come Up]]'' (as The Therapist) (2006) |
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* ''[[The Come Up|The Come Up Mixtape Vol. 1]]'' (2007) |
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* ''[[The Warm Up]]'' (2009) |
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* ''[[Friday Night Lights (mixtape)|Friday Night Lights]]'' (2010) |
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== References == |
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{{reflist|colwidth=30em}} |
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==External links== |
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*{{Official website|www.jcolemusic.com}} |
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*[http://www.dreamvillain.net/ Official blog] |
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*{{Twitter|JColeNC}} |
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*{{Facebook|JColeMusic}} |
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*{{Myspace|JCole}} |
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* [http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/jcole/artist.jhtml J. Cole] on [[MTV|MTV.com]] |
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{{J. Cole}} {{Roc Nation}} |
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<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] --> |
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{{Persondata |
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|NAME=J. Cole |
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|ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Cole, Jermaine |
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|SHORT DESCRIPTION= |
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|DATE OF BIRTH= January 28, 1985 |
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|PLACE OF BIRTH= |
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|DATE OF DEATH= |
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|PLACE OF DEATH= |
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}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Cole, J.}} |
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[[Category:1985 births]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:Roc Nation artists|J]] |
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[[Category:African American rappers]] |
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[[Category:American musicians of German descent]] |
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[[Category:Military brats]] |
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[[Category:People from Fayetteville, North Carolina]] |
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[[Category:German expatriates in the United States]] |
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[[Category:American record producers]] |
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[[Category:Hip hop musicians]] |
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[[Category:Hip hop singers]] |
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[[Category:Rappers from North Carolina]] |
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[[cs:J. Cole]] |
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[[da:J. Cole]] |
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[[de:J. Cole]] |
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[[fr:J. Cole]] |
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[[ja:J・コール]] |
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Revision as of 23:07, 4 November 2011
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J. Cole | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Jermaine Lamarr Cole |
Origin | Fayetteville, North Carolina[1] |
Genres | Hip hop, R&B |
Occupation(s) | Rapper, singer, producer |
Instrument(s) | vocalist, sampler |
Years active | 2007–present |
Labels | Roc Nation, Columbia, Sony Music Entertainment |
Website | www |
Jermaine Lamarr Cole (born January 28, 1985), better known by his stage name J. Cole, is a German born American rapper, singer and record producer. In 2009, he was the first artist signed to Jay-Z's label Roc Nation. His debut album titled Cole World: The Sideline Story was released on September 27, 2011.
Biography
Early life and career beginnings
Jermain Cole, was born in Frankfurt, Germany on January 28, 1985 to a European American mother and a African American father.[2] At the age of 8 months old, he relocated to Fayetteville, North Carolina where he was raised by his mother, aunt and his cousin. His father left him at a young age. Cole attended Terry Sanford High School in Fayetteville and graduated in 2003. He decided that he had a better chance of getting signed in New York City, so he chose to attend St. John's University on an academic scholarship where he majored in communication and minored in business, graduating magna cum laude.[3][4]
J. Cole started rapping at the age of 14 when J. Money put him in the rap game and his cousin showed him the basics of rhyming and word play. Inspired mostly by rappers Canibus and Eminem, Cole developed a love for telling stories in his lyrics.[5] At age 15, J. Cole had notebooks filled with rhymes but no beats of his own to record them with. His mother bought him an 808 beat machine so he could produce music himself.[citation needed] By the age of 17, he was posting songs on various internet forums under the moniker "Therapist"[6] J. Cole stood outside of Jay-Z’s place of business for three hours in order to give him a beat he sampled by Idris Muhammad, so that his mentor to be could use it. However, when Jay-Z came out of his building he shunned the up-and-coming rapper.[7] Before J. Cole was signed to Roc Nation, he worked a job as a bill collector. One morning, he turned on his cell phone and noticed that he received a text from an associate asking him to call the associate back. When Cole returned the call, the associate informed Cole that he received a call from Jay-Z’s associates and that he had to meet with them as soon as possible. J. Cole decided not to stay at work and left to go back home to change and get ready for his meeting.[8]
He released his second mixtape, The Warm Up, on June 15, 2009 to positive reviews.
Cole appeared on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint 3 (2009), on the track "A Star Is Born."[9] He is featured on both Wale's debut album, Attention Deficit (2009) and mixtape Back to the Feature (2009) respectively.
In early 2010, Cole was chosen as one of Beyond Race Magazine's "50 Great Breakthrough Artists," he ranked 49, resulting in the cover story of the publication's #11 issue, as well as a Q&A for the magazine's site.[10] He was also featured in XXL magazine 2010 version of Top Ten Freshmen.
In January 2010, Cole, along with label mate Jay Electronica and Mos Def appeared on Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek's single, "Just Begun" for the follow-up of Reflection Eternal's album Train of Thought (2000), titled Revolutions Per Minute (2010).[11] Cole has also appeared on B.o.B's mixtape May 25th (2010) on the song "Gladiators.[12] On March 31, he performed a new song titled "Who Dat", which was once the first single off of his debut album. He later released the song on April 27, 2010.[13] Cole was also featured on Young Chris' song "Still the Hottest" as well as Miguel's debut single "All I Want Is You."[14] Additionally, Cole was featured on titled "We On", a song that failed to make final tracklist for DJ Khaled's Victory LP.[15]
J. Cole began a college tour from March 19, 2007 to April 30, 2010 concluding in New Brunswick, NJ at Rutgers University's annual Rutgersfest. The tour also featured a stop at Syracuse University for a show with fellow rapper, Wiz Khalifa.[16]
To celebrate the anniversary of the release of The Warm Up mixtape, J. Cole released a freestyle entitled "The Last Stretch" on June 15, 2010. On June 21 of that year, J. Cole premiered the music video to his first single "Who Dat" on BET's 106 & Park.[17] In August 2010 J. Cole, was awarded the UMA Male Artist of the Year thanks to his heralded The Warm Up mixtape and a high profile deal with Jay-Z's label Roc Nation at the 2010 Underground Music Awards. In an interview, J. Cole revealed three song names from his upcoming album, including "Wet Dreams", "Won't Be Long", and "Never Told", which was produced by No I.D.[18] On October 30, 2010, a demo titled "I'm Coming Home" was leaked onto the internet, Cole recorded the song as a reference track for Diddy, which later became "Coming Home" off Last Train to Paris (2010).[19]
On November 12, 2010 J. Cole released his third official mixtape titled Friday Night Lights.[20] The tape included features from Drake, Wale & Omen with most of the production being handled by Cole himself.
Cole served as a supporting act for Drake, on the Light Dreams and Nightmares UK Tour, January 5–21, 2011. Cole will return to the UK in the Autumn to support Tinie Tempah on his 7-city Arena Tour which begins at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on October 31 and ends at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena on November 8 with a stop over at the 02 arena in London on November 4. Cole also supported Rihanna on the North American/Caribbean leg of her Loud Tour as the opening act, beginning in Baltimore in June 2011 and concluding in Barbados in August 2011. Rihanna announced in July 2011 via Twitter that Cole, who was already on the road with the singer, had been upgraded to the role of "official" tour opener and main warm-up act for the North American/Caribbean leg, after Cee Lo Green had to drop out of the Loud Tour due to other commitments. On January 17, 2011, J. Cole released a remix to Rihanna's third single, "S&M", from her fifth studio album, Loud (2010).
On April 25, 2011, Vibe listed him at number 5 on their Vibe's list of Greatest Rappers Alive 30 Under 30.[21] Cole was nominated for Best New Artist at the 2011 BET Awards.[22]
2011–present: Any Given Sundays & Cole World: The Sideline Story
On May 4, 2011 J. Cole wrote on Twitter, "All singles done. Album ridiculous. Title Perfect. Music incredible. Thank you for your patience. Let's change the game." In June 2011 he announced that the recording of the album was finished, and that the release date is set for September later that year. Through Twitter, J. Cole later confirmed that the release date for his album would be September 27, 2011 and that the title is Cole World: The Sideline Story.[23][24] On May 22, 2011, J. Cole released a song entitled "Return of Simba," the third in the "Simba series" following "Simba" and "Grown Simba." Cole purposefully avoided releasing his debut album’s title for fear of inconsistency. He only announced that Jay-Z will be featured on his debut album.[8] Cole released his follow-up single to "Who Dat", "Work Out" on June 15, 2011, in honor of the second anniversary of his highly acclaimed mixtape The Warm Up.[25] The song, produced by Cole himself, samples "The New Workout Plan" by Kanye West and interpolates "Straight Up" by Paula Abdul.[26][27]
On July 31, J. Cole took to Twitter and his website to announce Any Given Sunday. Reminiscent of Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Fridays, a weekly free music giveaway. J. Cole wrote "Every Sunday til the album drops I’ll be back with something. Maybe just 1 song, maybe a video, depending on how I’m feeling." For the 3rd installment of his Sunday series, "Any Given Sunday", J. Cole hopped on Ustream to update fans about the album and play some tracks that didn't make the cut. On August 22 Cole released his debut album's cover art, designed by Alex Haldi for Bestest Asbestos, whom J. Cole recorded a song for titled "Killers", for Haldi's mixtape The Glorification of Gangster.[28] For the fourth installment, on August 29, he released his debut album's track list, once again through twitter.[29] On August 15 a music video was released for the album's first single "Work Out" on YouTube, Vevo and 106 & Park.
On August 30, after an unfinished version had leaked, "Can't Get Enough" featuring R&B singer Trey Songz was released as the album's lead single. While in Barbados for his last performance as the official opening act for Rihanna's Loud Tour, Cole shot the music video for his debut album's second single, "Can't Get Enough", with Songz and Rihanna, who provided a cameo while in her home town.[30] The video, directed by Clifton Bell, was released on September 14, 2011. In addition early on September 25, two days before his album's release, Cole released a music video for the iTunes bonus track "Daddy's Little Girl".
On October 24, it was announced by J. Cole that his sophomore album will be released in June 2012. He had mentioned that the album will consist of songs that never made the track list for his debut album.[31]
Discography
- Studio albums
- Free EPs
- Any Given Sunday #1 (2011)
- Any Given Sunday #2 (2011)
- Any Given Sunday #5 (2011)
- Mixtapes
- Before The Come Up (as The Therapist) (2006)
- The Come Up Mixtape Vol. 1 (2007)
- The Warm Up (2009)
- Friday Night Lights (2010)
References
- ^ A Star is Born. J. Cole Fans. Retrieved on 2009-010-03
- ^ "J Cole interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' March 2011". Bluesandsoul.com. 2011-10-02. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
- ^ GermanRhymes, GermanRhymes. "GermanRhymes.de - Interview with J. Cole". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oovaKXIttoo. GermanRhymes. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
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- ^ Jay-Z Protege J. Cole Takes Unusual Path to Stardom. ABC News.
- ^ J Cole Inspired By Eminem & Canibus (Video) RapBasement
- ^ J COLE: Bref Control , May 2011[dead link]
- ^ NardwuarServiette, NardwuarServiette. "Nardwuar vs. J. Cole". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij7Kw2Kc2UM. NardwuarServiette. Retrieved December 14, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
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- ^ a b GrimeDaily, GrimeDaily. "GRIME DAILY MEETS J. COLE [INTERVIEW 2011]". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4pDb1Tj9b8&feature=related. GrimeDaily. Retrieved Januar 10, 2011.
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- ^ J.Cole to appear on Blueprint 3. Rap Basement. Retrieved on 2009-08-18
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ Reflection Eternal - "Just Begun" feat. Jay Electronica, J. Cole, & Mos Def [2]
- ^ VoodooChild (2011-04-20). "J. Cole - "Knock On Wood" X "Gladiators" w/ B.o.B". Thatsthatish.com. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
- ^ VoodooChild (2010-04-27). "J. Cole: 'Who Dat'". Thatsthatish.com. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
- ^ VoodooChild. "That's That...: J. Cole - "Still The Hottest" (w/Young Chris) x "All I Want Is You" (w/ Miguel)". Thatsthatish.com. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
- ^ VoodooChild. "J. Cole - "We On"". Thatsthatish.com. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
- ^ "Rapper Wiz Khalifa set to perform at SU after incarceration - Feature". The Daily Orange. 2010-12-02. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
- ^ ""Who Dat" music video". J. Cole. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
- ^ "J. Cole reveals Debut Album Song Titles". Jcole.org. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
- ^ VoodooChild (2010-10-30). "J. Cole - "I'm Coming Home (Demo)," thatsthatish.com". " thatsthatish.com. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
- ^ "DOWNLOAD "FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS"!". JColeMusic. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
- ^ The BIG List: The Greatest Rapper Alive (Under 30!) Vibe
- ^ "Best New Artist". BET. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
{{cite web}}
: Text "BET Awards" ignored (help); Text "BET" ignored (help); Text "Shows" ignored (help) - ^ http://twitter.com/#!/JColeNC/status/65554185390800896
- ^ Yuen, Vince (2011-06-21). "J. Cole Announces Debut Album Title". Wegotthiscovered.com. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
- ^ J. Cole Debuts His First Single “Work Out”, Off His Upcoming Debut Album MissInfo.tv
- ^ J. Cole's Work Out sample of Kanye West's The New Workout Plan WhoSampled
- ^ J. Cole's Work Out sample of Paula Abdul's Straight Up WhoSampled
- ^ Name (required) (2011-05-12). "DOPE PROJECT ALERT: The Glorification Of Gangster Art Exhibit « LIFE Pulse Blog". Lifepulseblog.com. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
- ^ J. Cole – Cole World: The Sideline Story (Tracklist) 2DopeBoyz.com
- ^ "Peep This: Rihanna Hangs Out With J. Cole And Trey Songz At The 'Can't Get Enough' Shoot". VIBE. 2011-10-08. Retrieved 2011-10-12.
- ^ http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.17358/title.j-cole-says-his-sophomore-album-will-arrive-in-june-2012