J. Cole is a rapper and producer who found success in early 2010. Since signing with Jay Z’s label Roc Nation, he has toured the world, produced for Kendrick Lamar and even caught the attention of Barack Obama. He has also started his own non-profit foundation. Drake gave him the biggest boost at the time: "You’re looking at one of the smartest, greatest and most legendary artists of our generation.
J. Cole’s youth
Jermaine Lamarr Cole was born on 28 January 1985 on an American army base in Frankfurt and then lived in West Germany. His parents split up, and soon after, his mother moved with him and his older brother Zach to Fayetteville, North Carolina, where money would be tight. It was in Fayetteville that Cole developed his passion for music when he joined the Terry Sanford Orchestra as a violinist. After finishing high school, Cole moved to New York and went to St. John's University, where he earned his degree in communication in 2007.
Music career
His debut mixtape, “The Come Up,” came out in 2007 and was largely self-produced. A track called "Lights Please" from “The Warm Up (2009)” caught the attention of producer Mark Pitts, who played it for Jay Z. Ironically, Cole had tried to give Jay Z a copy himself, only to be turned down with the words “Man, I don’t want that shit.” But Pitts had an ear for him and was also Jay Z’s big businessman. Eventually Cole signed with Roc Nation and began appearing as a guest on tracks by Wale, Jay Z and Talib Kweli. The release date of Cole's second album, Born Sinner, was pushed back several times to avoid clashing with other big releases. When it finally came out in June 2013, it was another success. Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent are rappers who also appear on the album. Still, “Born Sinner” was an album that was received warmly but not ecstatically. After a wait for the right moment, Forest Hills Drive 2014 came out in December 2014 and debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200, despite a lack of prior singles or marketing. It won several awards, including Billboard Rap Album of the Year, and was later certified double platinum. His fourth studio album, 4 Your Eyez Only, came out just before Christmas 2016 and also went to number 1. Despite all the controversy he attracted, The New York Times suggested that Cole, by freeing himself from the chain of big guest stars, could forge his own artistic path, noting that he had to be honest with himself about what is actually happening in the hip-hop world.
The Dreamville label
The first important step for his own label came to light in 2014, when he founded the Dreamville Records label together with his business partner and manager, Ibrahim Hamad. The first music released by Dreamville was with the signed artists Bas and Omen. Later, up-and-coming artists such as JID, Ari Lennox and EARTHGANG joined them. The label shares a name with his Dreamville Foundation, a non-profit Cole founded in his hometown. It was set up to "bridge the gap between the worlds of opportunity and the urban youth of Fayetteville, NC," and regularly organizes events and programs, including book clubs and essay contests.
The RS-Dreamer
Cole has proven himself to be one of the best rappers in the world, so now he is bringing his talents together and applying them elsewhere. After first combining the worlds of hip-hop and hoops with the RS-Dreamer in July, J. Cole and Puma have now prepared their second colorway: "Blood, Sweat and Tears." Like Dreamville, the shoe symbolizes never giving up on your dreams and always holding on to them, no matter how hard the road there may sometimes be. Whether it’s the hard work needed on the court or on stage, the new makeup offers a bold palette, advanced performance technology and the stories that have become tied to the collaboration between Cole and PUMA Hoops with the Puma basketball shoes. The mid-top upper is almost entirely red, with mesh bases and suede overlays that give it a strong cherry-red tint. Cole's "Dreamer" logo is stamped in white on the heel, with further contrast from a white rope lacing system and a small blooming forefoot. At the bottom of the basketball shoes, the midsoles combine a duo of foams - both running shoe foam in RS style and ProFoam for a hybrid cushioning setup.
Rumor has it that Cole is looking for a tryout with an NBA team, which would certainly be a nice change, since we all know Cole is actually pretty good at basketball. Who knows what else the future holds for him.
