J.Cole Performs At The Loft In Atlanta [2/26]
J.Cole hit Atlanta’s hot spot “The Loft” for a show last night, (February 26). He performed hits from “The Warm Up” such as I Get Up and Dead Presidents II. J.Cole also surprised the crowd by bringing out B.o.B for a performance of their song Gladiators and Brandon Hines for Dreams. A show so remarkable we had to post videos on it, check it out!
Props: Ben
J.Cole Discusses His Authentic Style
J.Cole recently took some time to speak with USC’s student newspaper The Daily Game, where he discussed his authentic style, his lyrical ability, and what inspires him. Check out the brief interview below:
Daily Gamecock: So what’s life been like since you signed with Jay-Z?
J. Cole: Super busy, man. Non-stop … interviews, shows, studios, photo shoots … it’s way different from what it was before.
DG: You’ve released two mix-tapes and are working on your first album; anything you can give away about how that album will complement your existing work?
JC: It’s gonna be an extension of what I already have out there. Content-wise and production-wise.
DG: Rap has certainly been one of the most successful genres of the past decade, but what do you feel you bring to the table that helped someone as famous as Jay-Z recognize you?
JC: I think I bring kind of a breath of fresh air … I have a certain set of sensibilities, you know, a sense of where hip-hop is heading.
DG: What influences your music?
JC: Life in general. I know that’s generic, but that’s really what it is. It comes out of what’s around me, things that I go through. I just observe.
DG: Do you have a particular process for writing lyrics or do you just let it happen?
JC: Rarely do I have a situation where I know where I’m going. A lot of it has to do with the beat … once that develops, it’s just about letting the lyrics flow out.
DG: Most rappers seem to give themselves very creative names. Your stage name derives from your actual name, Jermaine Cole. Any particular reason for that?
JC: The reason I wanted to keep it “J. Cole” is that a) that’s my name and b) that’s representative of me as an artist. I’m not a character. I’m a real person. My music is a reflection of that and I want the name to reflect who I am.
DG: Your MySpace.com page says you “bring promise of a new day in hip-hop music.” Elaborate on that.
JC: I want people to fall in love with the music. I hope some day lyrics will be important again. I hope authenticity will be important again. It became so much about cool for a while now, and I think I bring a hopeful light.
DG: You’re heading to join up with Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 tour later this week. Is this the first time you’ve toured with him?
JC: No, I did for a little while last year.
DG: How did that go?
JC: Great, you know, a great learning experiences. A lot of great performers. I definitely learned a lot.
DG: So in Columbia you’re part of a concert that features mash-up sensation Girl Talk. Do you think there’s any similarity to what you and he are doing with music, or is this just a totally random pairing?
JC: I’m actually totally unfamiliar with his work, I’m not gonna lie. What’s it like?
DG: Mash-ups and remixes.
JC: So he’s just throwing it all together?
DG: Yeah, pretty much.
JC: Well that’s cool, man … I’m excited to see what it’s like.
The Sample That Started “Heartache”
Heartache which was featured on J.Cole’s mixtape “The Warm Up” consists of a sample from the song I Was Born To Live With Heartache. Mary Love Comer is the soulful singer of this track which Elite creatively took a sample from and produced the beat we now know and love as Heartache.
Props: Shana
Standard Presents: Lunch with J.Cole
Via StandardATL:
Much to our disappointment, our instore event is canceled due to a scheduling conflict. We hope to make this up to our loyal followers very soon.
J.Cole Meet & Greet Houston, TX
RPH Entertainment in collaboration with La Familia hosted J.Cole’s Meet & Greet a couple weeks ago in Houston, TX. J.Cole mixed and mingled with his Houston fans and took pictures. If you would love to Meet & Greet with J.Cole and are located in the Atlanta area check out J.Cole’s upcoming Meet & Greet at New Era Flagship store this Friday, February 26.
Jay-Z Wants To Shoot Video For “A Star is Born”
Well, not quite. In a recent interview Jay-Z talks about potentially wanting to shoot a video for the track J.Cole made his big debut on, A Star is Born.
J. Cole – XXL Freshmen 2010 Freestyle
J. Cole Freshmen Verse from Team Satten on Vimeo.
This is the last freestyle XXL released covering their “New Breed of Hustlers” issue. J.Cole spits a few bars to remind us of the greatness to come with his debut album. The XXL “New Breed of Hustlers” issue will be released on Monday and here are a few words Cole had to say about the feature:
It’s an honor to be selected for XXL’s Freshman class, I remember seeing previous covers and praying that one day I can be noticed in this hip-hop game. I recognize that being apart of the cover doesn’t make you, rather the real work starts now.
Props: Nahright
HOT 97 Presents Who’s Next Live Featuring J.Cole
at S.O.B.’s in New York, NY
You guys don’t want to miss this one. Click here to purchase your tickets.
An Evening With J. Cole In New York [CANCELLED]
Via Roc Nation:
Tri-State area! Come out to see J. Cole perform at NYC’s famous, Webster Hall, all for a great cause! See below: Monday, February 22, 2010 5pm – 7pm The Studio at Webster Hall 125 East 11th Street New York, NY 10003 All proceeds will benefit the Gye Nyame Empowerment Project’s Sista-2-Sista Youth Summit.
This Event is CANCELLED
New Music: Knock On Wood (Freestyle)
For all those waiting for some new J.Cole, sit back and enjoy.
Knock On Wood (Freestyle) - [Download]
Props to King of Queenz
A Sneak Peak At XXL “Freshmen 10″ Issue
The highly anticipated Freshmen 10 issue of XXL is about to drop. MTV VJ Sway, gave us a sneak peak of whats to come. In addition to J.Cole other rappers from the 2010 Freshman line-up included in this video clip are Fashawn, Pill, and Nipsey Hussel. Did you guess which one is Mr. Cole?
J.Cole Hits Atlanta and Tickets Giveaway Contest!
J.Cole will be hitting the streets of ATL performing at The Loft on February 26. This will be an 18+ show with tickets priced at $20 each [buy tickets]. J.Cole Fans will be giving 2 lucky contestants 2 tickets each in a contest ticket giveaway. Check back very soon for the details on this contest!
RAP-UP TV: A Star is Born – Part III
In part 3 of this Rap-Up “A Star Is Born” Interview J.Cole discusses family matters, which fellow hip-hop artist has game on the court, which artist he would love to meet the most and more.
RAP-UP TV: A Star is Born – Part II
As promised here is Part II of J.Cole’s interview with Rap-Up. This time he discusses his debut album and recording with Pharrell.
RAP-UP TV: A Star is Born – Part I
Recently J.Cole sat down with the people of Rap-Up TV for an exclusive interview, where he discussed his humble beginnings and his bright future. Stay tuned for part 2 & 3.
Cassidy Raps Over J.Cole’s “Lights Please”
Cassidy released his Apply Pressure 2 mixtape on February 4th at midnight. Cassidy who is known to hop on other rappers beat went all out when he decided to spit over J.Cole’s self produced beat for Lights Please. Cassidy titles his version Mic Please and features rapper Jag.
Mic Please [Download]
The Sample That Started “Get Away”
What does Exhibit C by Jay Electronica and Get Away by J.Cole have in common? Both tracks use the same sample from Billy Stewart’s 1966 hit, Cross My Heart.
Cross My Heart [Download]
Props: Gab
J.Cole Talks About Working With No ID-MTV
In a recently released interview J.Cole briefly talks about the overall production work his debut album will consist of. From working with No ID to mostly producing his debut album himself; J.Cole talks about that and more.
“I’m in with No ID right now. He’s incredible. It’s fun,” Cole told us recently about his album. “I realized this last night when we was in there. My favorite producer, after I started producing [and] paying attention to producers, was Kanye. He came along right at that time. That’s my heaviest influence on production. Being in with No ID last night and watching him work, it was like, ‘Duh.’ I been in with other producers, it don’t click. It don’t connect. It connects with him. I figure if I grew up looking up to Kanye, Kanye is cut from the No ID cloth.”
“I do want to do the majority of the project,” he explained. “The negative side of being a producer and rapper — ’cause I’m a rapper first — the negative side of being a producer on top of that is I got real picky with beats. I’m trying to break outta that zone and maybe get on some beats I might not have rapped on before. I think the key of some rap artists is sometime you can make a beat that’s not so hot, hot. But the production side of me is [saying], ‘You not gonna get on that. Listen to those drums.’ “
Props: JK
J.Cole Live Performance AT ACES Lounge
J.Cole performed at ACES Lounge in Austin, Texas on January 24th-not to be confused with his show in Houston, Texas on the 23rd. Nonetheless here is footage from his performance with dubbed over live audio.
J.Cole On B.o.B’s “May 25th” Mixtape
J.Cole mentioned on ustream recently that he would be featured on a track with BoB & we have it,the track is titled, Gladiators and it’s featured on the “May 25th” mixtape. I must say this is fire!
The Gladiators [Download]
