“I Can Bus”-J.Cole Circa 2003
…and throwback tracks from J.Cole Therapist continue to roll in.
I Can Bus [Download]
Props: Jonnie
Happy Birthday J.Cole!
Today, January 28th is Jermaine Cole’s birthday and J.Cole Fans along with your help made J.Cole a special birthday video wishing him a happy birthday from all around. J.Cole Fans sends a special thanks to everyone who sent in their photos and videos and a special thanks to J.Cole’s mother who sent in the baby photos used to make this video!
Rare J.Cole Tracks -Fayettenam Bommuhs
This mixtape album, “Fayettenam Bommuhs“, consists of work from Bomm Seltuh (Filthe Rich + Nervous Reck), Therapist (J.Cole) and many other Fayetteville artists made its debut in 2002. “Fayettenam Bommuhs” was also featured in a 2002 edition of The Source Magazine underneath the “Underground Scene” section. On this mixtape are two tracks from J.Cole titled The Storm and Bref Control ft. Nervous Reck-both worth downloading and the mixtape as a whole-worth giving a listen.
The Storm [Download]
Bref Control ft Nervous Reck [Download]
Props: Nervous Reck
Reflection Eternal Talk To MTV On The Making Of “Just Begun”
In this recent interview with MTV, Reflection Eternal (Hi Tek & Talib Kweli) tells MTV how Just Begun came to be. Kweli talks about texting J.Cole and trying to get him on the track.
Kweli explains:
“I was like, ‘You might need to get on this Reflection Eternal album.’ I was talking on text to J. Cole, trying to get some ideas. Then I was like, it might be crazy if I got Jay Electronica and J. Cole on the same record. Two new dudes on the record with me, they killing it, doing they thing. So I was like, ‘Nah.’ I had to go get some support. So I called my man Mos.”
“We had to go find Mos. I need some backup,” he added with a laugh. “My verse is bragging and boasting, but it’s also a lot of literary references, which people might know me for. Jay Electronica is talking about his journey from New Orleans to New York. J. Cole is trying to shine, talking about his connection to Roc Nation. He’s got the girls. He’s trying to shine, establish his place with these other lyricists. Mos’ verse is super, super scientific and intelligent. Mos got flow for days. But if you don’t know nothing about the world, you ain’t ready for Mos Def’s verse.”
J.Cole Spits Unreleased Verse At Warehouse Live
While performing in Houston, TX 01/23/01 at Warehouse Live, J.Cole served his fans an unreleased verse.
“Maaan, I’m trynna count money like a CFO, doing shows with hoes speaking languages that we don’t know. Look here man if love is blind than these women can’t see no more, they f*cking with the boy like a pedophile, if she don’t know…J.Cole got a mean ol’ flow, I look up to some n*ggas but they aint f*cking with me no more!” -J.Cole
Props: TF
J.Cole Attends Elite’s Groundwork Release Party
Elite, Elite, Elite!-released his mixtape, Groundwork earlier this year which featured 20+ self produced instrumentals along with bonus material from Omen, J.Cole, DMX, and Jadakiss. Prior to the mixtape being released on January 4th Elite threw a release party in which J.Cole and Ibrahim dropped by to show some love.
J.Cole Sits Down With One Neck Two Chains
In this recent interview spotted over at TF, J.Cole sits down with One Neck, Two Chains and talks about his favorite basketball players, his own basketball moves, working with Pharrell, his album on the way and more!
Props: Too Fortunate
Drake Talks About J.Cole To Complex Magazine
This edition of Complex Magazine which Drake will cover for the month of February/March features a full cover story and gallery with Drake. In this interview Drake has a few words about J.Cole and what he thinks of his talent and work.
Drake: J. Cole, who’s one of my favorite dudes rapping right now. I’ve happened to have had more success. I made the most money, I have number-one records, those guys [Wale, J.Cole, Kid Cudi] don’t have that shit. And it’s just facts, it’s not even my feelings or that I feel I’m more talented
Drake: When J. Cole gets it super-right, I think he’s gonna have a place as a Nas-type character who really stands for hip-hop, but still makes ill records that everybody fucks with.
Complex: If J. Cole is Nas, then who are you?
Drake: [Laughs.] I’m the young big homie!
Props: ATF
J.Cole Performance At Warehouse Live, Texas
J.Cole performed at Warehouse Live (01/22/10) in Houston, Texas along with The Nice Guys. Here are photos from the event, check back soon for footage.
Props: Meg
J.Cole Performance At Club Mink [Video]
Heres the footage from J.Cole show at Club Mink in San Antonio (01/22/10).
Major props to KJ & BL50 We See you desiredavis & xoxofranny
J.Cole Performance At Club Mink, San Antonio
The San Antonio show got rave reviews here are some highlights from the night. Check back soon because we are working on getting footage! See the full set here including opening acts.
shoutout: Drastik
J.Cole’s Debut Named One Of ‘10 Most Highly Anticipated Albums
It looks like we’re not the only ones anticipating Cole’s debut. Complex Magazine recently released their list of 2010’s Most Anticipated Albums and our boy ranked in at #14. Check out the excerpt below:
#14: J. Cole TBD
RELEASE DATE? Late Spring/Summer 2010
PRODUCERS/COLLABORATORS: No I.D., Syience, Pharrell
WHAT WE KNOW: Roc Nation’s marque act has been busy since dropping his mixtape The Warm Up this past summer; between promoting his “Lights Please” single, touring with Jay-Z on the Blueprint 3 tour, making records with vets like Reflection Eternal and Mos Def, and stealing the show on Wale’s “Beautiful Bliss.” His debut will feature production from himself, No I.D., and his characteristic deep, hard-hitting rhymes. Pictures recently surfaced of him working with Pharrell. Cole’s rhymes over Skateboard P beats? Yessir, indeed
J.Cole: The Next Hip-Hop Hustler
Here is J.Cole’s full feature in the most recent issue of Spin Magazine. Click here to enlarge.
Shouts to Karla aka HustleGrl
J.Cole & Pharrell In The Studio
Looks like they’re working hard on that debut! First No ID-now Pharell, wonder what other producers J.Cole is collaborating with even though he insists on not name dropping!
Spotted: BBC
J. Cole Seeks “Perfection” With Roc Nation Debut
Spotted at SoHH was an article which compiled words from J.Cole stated in previous interviews on his desire for his album in progress to be nothing short from perfect!
“I’m working on my album,” he revealed in an interview. “Feels like I’ve been working on it for years, but now I’m officially in the studio working on it, like hashing sh*t out. I’ll just say, [I'm featured]. If I mention anyone, people are gonna be expecting some sh*t, so I’ll just say, me…”[Gotta] Make Sure That It’s Classic” -J.Cole
Read the compilation article here
L.A. Leakers/Power 106 LA Interview Highlights
We have the total audio here but heres the some visual from the @Power106 interview. J.Cole talks about wanting to do a college tour, drake comparisons, his album and more, check it out!
Send In Photos, Videos & Words For J.Cole’s Birthday!
J.Cole’s birthday is right around the corner and J.Cole Fans needs your help! Please send in photos of J.Cole and yourself and/or words about J.Cole to be included in a J.Cole Fans birthday video for J.Cole! You can also send in a video of you wishing J.Cole “Happy Birthday”! The deadline for which photos and other material will be accepted is January 21st so hurry! Email all material and/or questions to JColeFans@gmail.com.
L.A. Leakers/Power 106 LA Interview
Last night, Janurary 13, J.Cole made a surprise appearance on Power 106 in LA. J.Cole talks briefly on The Blueprint 3 Tour, his album and more.
Props: DJSourmilk
J.Cole: Roc Nation’s Finest
Check out Cole’s recent interview with qthequestion.com below.
NTT – With your career just starting to take off, what have you basically been up to lately?
J. Cole – Just workin’ on this album, I been in LA recordin’, New York recordin’, just tryin’ to get together the right material which is a hard process sometime tryin’ to make it perfect, but that’s what I’m workin’ on right now.
NTT – Since your new artist that’s staying busy did you take any time off for the holiday season?
J. Cole – Yeah, I went home for Thanksgiving and chilled with my family that full weekend. I try not to take too much time off though, just a few days for Christmas too.
NTT – Were you born and raised in Fayetteville or did you move around a whole lot?
J. Cole – Naw, I had only moved one time and that’s when we moved from Germany when I born, that’s where my parent were stationed.
NTT – How would you say what your early life was like?
J. Cole – It was pretty normal I think. I went to school, played rec ball, school ball, went to the skating rink every week, went to the mall, and went to the teen clubs. I just went the natural progression that I think a large majority of the kids where I’m from go through. Nothin’ crazy, had a good childhood.
NTT – When and why you decided to become a rapper?
J. Cole – I like 12 or 13 when I started rappin’. Pretty soon after I started it I noticed that I was kind of good, so I started to take it serious. I had some friends who rapped and I was a ways better. Not sayin’ that to be cocky, but they always let me know from cyphers that it was apparent that I was a step ahead. I was like 14 and I was better that niggas that was 18, 19. From that point on that what I wanted to do.
NTT – Who would you say were some of your influences?J. Cole – 2 Pac, Nas, Outkast, Jay-Z, Eminem, Canibus, and Royce Da 5’9.
NTT – You would say all those guys help shape the style you rap with now?J. Cole – Yeah, I took certain things from all those guys throughout the years and molded it into my own thing and added like my own little spice on it.
NTT – Before you met Jay, Was there any breakthroughs for you into the business?J. Cole – I don’t even know man because I didn’t really have anything big that happened, I didn’t have any beats placed. I knew people within the industry, but I don’t if you could really call that a break.
NTT – So how did you finally meet Jay-Z?J. Cole – I got introduce to Jay through a friend a mine that was a engineer and he knew Jay.
NTT – You was saying just before that he was a big influence on your career. How you feel about being the first artist signed to Roc Nation?
J. Cole – It was a total blessing man, it’s a honor really. The large majority of people who call themselves fan of hip-hop consider him the greatest. With me being able to go over there is a blessing.
NTT – So being on the “Blueprint 3” album was even more of a big deal?
J. Cole – Yeah exactly. I got to shout out my city on there. It was good feeling.
NTT – You mentioned earlier about your working on the album, besides yourself producing on the album are you going to be working with any other producers and who would you be collaborating with?
J. Cole – Yeah I’m workin’ with No I.D. He’ll have stuff on there. I feel already that we got some classic material on there for the album, then myself of course, as of right now that’s it. We’re not really lookin’ for too much but if somethin’ happens we’ll go for it. As far as artists we gonna treat that the same way and just go with the flow. If I want somebody on it, I’ll reach out but I don’t have nobody in mind as right now that I gotta have.
NTT – What kind of advice would you give to any up and coming artists looking to break into the industry?J. Cole – I would say make music for yourself and try to please yourself first. Make sure you have a passion for what you’re doin’ and stay true to yourself. When you try to step outside of your zone and do songs based on what other people think and you think a certain group of people are gonna like this type of song, you think the A&R’s gonna like this type of song, or you think the clubs or the DJ’s are gonna like it I think you makin’ the wrong turn. You should just try to make the music that’s true to yourself and it will play out for you in the long run. “Lights Please” just now startin’ to pick up on the radio and I made that song back in 2007 and now it’s 2010. It’s not a typical radio song. That’s why I say don’t make a certain type of song to get a deal or get on the radio things will eventually work out for you.
By Nikita Terrell Thompson
Dreamville’s Elite Speaks On “Playground”
Recently Dreamville producer Elite was featured on The Calm as a guest blogger. Elite broke down several tracks off his instrumental mixtape The Groundwork, including Playground. Check out what he had to say below:
On to the more present times. The beat for “Playground” was one that I had sent to J. Cole a while back, and he always liked it… But never wrote to it. One day during a session at the crib to record for “The Warm Up” he decided he wanted to try something from scratch, a new approach to writing. Jermaine is a notebook writer, all his raps are written down on paper and then read from the book. But this time he wanted to try the Jay-Z/Lil Wayne approach and just think of the raps in his head, and record them as they came… 4 bars or so at a time. So I pulled up the beat for playground, knowing that he liked it and there it was. I was amazed at how quickly he was able to put the verses together. You have to understand, just a few years before this Cole was only doing songs every once in a while. This was a moment in which I really realized how much progress he had made in that time.Before long the song was complete, and was planned to be released on “The Warm Up” until like the week before it was done. Since I also had “Heartache” on there, I wasn’t too upset. Especially after listening to the mood and overall flow of the tape, I understood that “Playground” really just didn’t fit. Everything truly happens for a reason though and I think it ended up finding a great home on “The Groundwork”…The beat for “Playground” was one that I had sent to J. Cole a while back, and he always liked it… But never wrote to it. One day during a session at the crib to record for “The Warm Up” he decided he wanted to try something from scratch, a new approach to writing. Jermaine is a notebook writer, all his raps are written down on paper and then read from the book. But this time he wanted to try the Jay-Z/Lil Wayne approach and just think of the raps in his head, and record them as they came… 4 bars or so at a time. So I pulled up the beat for playground, knowing that he liked it and there it was. I was amazed at how quickly he was able to put the verses together. You have to understand, just a few years before this Cole was only doing songs every once in a while. This was a moment in which I really realized how much progress he had made in that time.
Before long the song was complete, and was planned to be released on “The Warm Up” until like the week before it was done. Since I also had “Heartache” on there, I wasn’t too upset. Especially after listening to the mood and overall flow of the tape, I understood that “Playground” really just didn’t fit. Everything truly happens for a reason though and I think it ended up finding a great home on “The Groundwork”
Also be sure to read his whole blog entry here.
Entertainment Weekly Feature
Yet another magazine feature for Mr.Cole. This time J.Cole is featured as one of EW’s New Stars for the New Year. Check out the blurb below:
The first rapper signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label (on the strength of his 2009 mixtape, The Warm-Up), J. Cole was featured on Hova’s The Blueprint 3. Now he’s readying his debut album, set to drop in late spring. ”The album is blowing the mixtape out of the water,” he says. ”And the mixtape was great.”
Click here to view the scan.
No I.D Says He’s Working On Cole’s Debut
In a recent interview with HipHopDX producer No I.D revealed what artists he was currently working with and guess who he mentioned.
DX: What have you coming up in 2010?
No I.D.: I am working with J.Cole and we are pretty deep into his album, which is turning out great, also working with Drake, Jazmine Sullivan. Kanye and I are executive producing Common’s next album and then I want some new and unexpected things.
Alright whose ready for that debut?
Meet & Greet
If you have ever wanted to meet Cole and let him know just how much he has inspired you through his music, heres your chance to let him know. He will be at the world famous Complete Clothing in Austin,TX before he hits the stage at the Aces Lounge on 1/24/10 The meet & greet will be from 1PM-5PM.Have fun!
