J.Cole

I recently went to the J.Cole and Wale concert here in Jacksonville, Florida for J.Cole’s What Dreams May Come Tour. I have been listening to J.Cole since his second mix-tape, The Warm Up, released in 2009. One of my favorite songs on that album is Lights Please. J.Cole dropped his first mix-tape in 2007 and shortly after he signed to Roc Nation. J.Cole stood outside of Jay Z’s office for 3 hours waiting to give him his mix-tape personally. At first glance Jay Z shrugged J.Cole off. Later on Jay Z contacted him and the rest is history.

Who is J.Cole?

J.Cole is short for Jermaine Lamar Cole. J.Cole was born in Germany and moved to the North Carolina when he was 8 months old. His father was in the United States Army and eventually left J.Cole’s mother whom along with his aunt was raised J.Cole. At the age of 12 he began to start rapping and took it seriously at the age of 15. His mother bought him his first beat machine right around this time. His first stage name was “Therapist” not only did he rap he also produced and made the beats. After graduating high school in 2003, J.Cole knew in order to get in the music industry he would have to move to New York City. He attended St. John’s University on an academic scholarship and graduated with a major in communication.

Not only is he talented he graduated magnum cum laude.

There are many musicians out there have been fortunate enough to know someone in order to get into the industry. I enjoy J.Cole’s story for the simple fact that he never gave up on his dream and still kept his education first. The entertainment industry can eat you up and spit you out. I do believe those that have an education outside of being a star can handle themselves better and are taking more seriously. J.Cole is an inspiration for the younger generation. Follow your dreams and if someone shrugs you off, do not let it get you down. It will be a matter of time before all your hard work pays off.

http://www.jcolemusic.com/us/bio