In an era saturated with upstart MCs all vying for the coveted status of “next big thing”, the story of North Carolina native J. Cole (born Jermaine Cole) is a refreshing exception to the quick route for fame and success. The first artist signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label, Cole made himself notable through a scholarly approach to the game – no small feat considering his Magna Cum Laude distinction upon graduating from St. John’s University.
If his sudden christening by JAY-Z shocked the haters, their doubts were quickly refuted when J. Cole dropped his recent mixtape The Warm Up, as well as a coveted guest verse on JAY-Z’s Blueprint 3 with “A Star is Born”. Soulful and strong, J. Cole’s lyrics touch on everything from his upbringing in North Carolina to the poverty and hopelessness that affect his community. The mixtape encapsulates not just who J. Cole is as a rapper, but who he is as an artist and a person.
Taking from his favorite artists a love for powerful storytelling with an intense inner-strength, J. Cole advanced to writing his own lyrics at 15, soon amassing stacks of notebooks filled with rhymes and observations. Without a DJ or producer to provide a beat, he industriously started creating his own using a beat machine given as a present by his mother. From then on J. Cole was constantly creating new music and lyrics leading to his current and flow.
As the Grammy-nominated artist geared up for the spring release of his sophomore album, Born Sinner, his single “Power Trip” featuring Miguel has entered the top 10 iTunes Hip Hop/Rap Charts in the U.S. His debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story scored him a “Best New Artist” GRAMMY nomination and entered the charts at #1 in the U.S. The album is now certified Gold with over 670,000 copies sold to date, and includes his Platinum single, “Work Out” and the Gold single “Can’t Get Enough.” J Cole has performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with David Letterman, and the BET Hip Hop Awards, and has appeared on the covers of The Source, YRB, and Respect Magazine. Along with headlining his own world tour, he has also toured with Rihanna and Drake.
J.COLE Vancouver 2014 Concert
WITH SPECIAL GUEST
BAS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2014
PNE FORUM – VANCOUVER, BC
Doors: 7:00PM Show: 8:00PM
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15 @ 10AM at www.livenation.com
Image: YouTube
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