Music 101 project about Jermaine Lamarr Cole aka "J. Cole"

1. By: Marvin Duncan

2.  Jermaine Lamarr Cole was born in Frankfurt, West Germany on January 28th, 1985. He lived
on an American army base with his parents until they separated. He later relocated to
Fayetteville, North Carolina where he was raised by his mother. Since the age of 12, Jermaine
realized the lyrical rapping skills he had, and at the age of 15, he joined his first rap group. He
was involved with a local group called Bomm Sheltuh, which included rappers Nervous Reck
and FilthE Ritch. At this time, he referred to himself as the “Therapist”. By the age 17,
Jermaine had notebooks filled with ideas and lyrics that he would later incorporate into his
music.
 Before his famous musical career as a hip-hop record producer, songwriter, and recording
artist, he attained a high school diploma, followed by a bachelors degree from St. Johns
University. During his high school career, he looked up to Jay-Z. After releasing his first
mixtape in 2007, he received acknowledgment from Jay-Z and was later signed to Roc Nation
in 2009. J. Cole released two additional mixtapes between 2009-2010.
 On June 25th, 2013, J. Cole released his album “Born Sinner”, which sold 297,000 copies in
the first week alone. As on September 19, 2013, Born Sinner sold 599,000 copies in the United
States. His most recent album “ 2014 Forest Hills Drive” released on December 9th, 2014 sold
about 912,000 copies in the U.S.

3.  I am a huge J. Cole fan. Although he can occasionally release a song that isn't his
best work, it is still on a higher standard of music than many other rappers today.
What I appreciate the most is the fact that he places God first. He says it all of the
time, whether it’s on a track, or in his acceptance speech at an award show. Although
I don’t know him personally, I feel like he still has his priorities set straight. Many
artists lose their vision, or sense of direction once they hit the spotlight. Each
mixtape he released got better and better each time. Born Sinner is a great album
with a meaningful message behind it. 2014 Forest Hills Drive is by far my favorite
work of his. I believe he has reached his pinnacle, and now it is time for him to
enjoy the fruits of his labor.

4.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSXJkvQOLP0&list=PL5ae7GWZduvOn1hIykgq-
HGedHlUxvhPK&index=12 – Love Yourz
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzTYlKhRpcc&index=4&list=PL5ae7GWZduvOn1hIy
kgq-HGedHlUxvhPK – 03’ Adolesence
 These are two singles from his recent album “2014 Forest Hills Drive”.