J.
Cole, the first artist signed to Jay-Z’s highly
anticipated Roc Nation label, is generating considerable
buzz of his own.
J.Cole, who was raised in Fayetteville, N.C. and graduated
from St. John’s University in Queens, NY magna
cum laude, is the latest rap rookie to break into
the industry under Jay-Z, a list that includes Memphis
Bleek, Foxy Brown, Beanie Siegel and Kanye West,
Following his show-stealing verse on “A Star
is Born” off Jay-Z’s “The Blueprint
3” album and the release of his buzzworthy mixtape
“The Warm Up,” J. Cole has steadily built
momentum for his debut album, scheduled for release
in Spring 2010.
At 24, J.Cole says humbled by the opportunity to work
with Jay-Z, one of the greatest rappers of all time.
“It’s
a blessing,” he says. “A lot of people
don’t get this opportunity to work with Jay,
especially so early in my career.”
Human Nature recently caught up with J.Cole after
the 2009 BMI Urban Awards in New York. He discussed
his career launch, the new album and what’s
it like working with Jay-Z.
