WHO: Jermaine Cole, American Hip Hop artist
WHY: My first experience with J. Cole were his live freestyle performances at random locales in NYC. This was a few years ago and while I was floored by his flow, he had no albums so I forgot about him, until about a year and a half ago when his first mixtape was released and I was again reminded why I was feeling his flow.
J. Cole hails from Fayetteville, North Carloina. While his backgroud seems like most rappers, i.e. being raised by a single mother, with a less than stellar childhood, what is intriguing, is his attendance and graduation from St. John’s University, Magna Cum Laude. How many rappers have those accolades on the wall? Along with his college degree, he has two mixtapes, The Come Up, released in 2007 and hosted by famed NYC dj, DJ OnPoint and his second mixtape (only the sampler is currently available), The Warm Up, is my favorite of the two.
On his album The Come Up he introduces us to his intelligent wit. He has a song aptly titled “College Boy”, on which he proclaims, “if this rap shit don’t work i’m goin for my master’s”. I think its safe to say that he will not be obtaining his Master’s anytime soon.
The Warm Up, J. Cole’s second mixtape shows his growth and comfort in front of the mic. The album also boasts some banging beats, many of which were produced by J. Cole himself. One beat that keeps my head bobbing is on Royal Flush, from the first sound of the guitar, the beat grabs a hold of your neck and doesn’t let go.
No rapper or artist, for that matter, wants to be compared to anyone, but for the sake of simplicity and introduction, J. Cole’s swag is reminiscent of a Kanye, without all the ego, remember he’s from down south, and a bit Lupe, but not as quirky. As far as sound, his delivery is more abrasive (read: street) than his swaggermates. His delivery is a mashup of Pac, Nas, and Andre 3000, with a splash of Jay-Z, think Reasonable Doubt. And while his influences are obvious in his sound, don’t get it twisted, J. Cole has his own voice.
Last week, J. Cole, finally inked a deal with a major record label so we should be hearing a lot from this young cat in the coming months.
MIXTAPES: The Come Up (2007)
The Warm Up (2008)
WEBSITE: http://www.myspace.com/therapistmusic
The video below is one of my favorite songs by J. Cole. Its an acoustic version of one of his songs.
