Get your tickets here…..not sure if Wale will be appearing on any of these particular dates.
TRAILER: @JColeNC & @Wale’s What Dreams May Come Tour
Definitely not one to be missed. Check out the tour dates here.
J. Cole To Produce Wale’s Next Album?
In J. Cole’s Vibe interview, he said he might produce Wale’s next album while they’re on tour. Read an excerpt from the interview below:
You’ve been working with TLC for your next single, “Crooked Smile.” What do you think about how they’re depicted in the promos for their VH1 biopic?
It’s crazy, it was scary how good they look, how close they look. I was thinking, “Lil’ Mama? How is she going to be Left-Eye?” Then I seen it and she was, like, spitting image. It was amazing.Your What Dreams May Come tourmate Wale says he wants you to produce half of his next album. Is that something that you two have discussed?
We’ve talked about that for years. It’s just about timing. Since we’re going on tour together I don’t see why that can’t happen. Wale is somebody that I want to see win all the time. All the times he wins I get happy because I know what he’s been through. With “Let Nas Down” I’m kind of pulling the curtains, showing you how the industry was working, which helps it not have to work like that anymore. Because people wise up and they know better. But in order to get to that you have to have guinea pigs. You had to have people that were victims of the way the system worked. To me Wale was a guinea pig that I got to watch firsthand because when I got signed he was about to put out his first album and I saw the way Jimmy Iovine and Interscope did him. No disrespect to them but it was the system at the time. So every time he wins I get happy because I know what he was up against. I went through a similar thing, but I made it through, and nobody should have to go through those things anymore. Nobody that’s a real artist should ever have to got through that because the curtain’s been pulled.
J. Cole Reveals Sha Money XL Wanted 50 Cent To Sign Him
J. Cole sat down with Vibe and he talked about being at 50′s house in Connecticut years ago where he met Sha Money XL, Tony Yayo and others. He also reveals that Sha Money XL played some of his music for 50 Cent but he passed on him ( he thought he was “one of these skinny jeans ni**as”).
Sha Money XL told me once that he brought you to 50 Cent before you signed with Roc Nation. What do you remember about first meeting him?
I didn’t meet 50 when Sha was trying to introduce me, but there’s a crazy story. I was unsigned and my name was starting to get around the industry. I took a meeting with Paul Rosenberg and a meeting with Mark Pitts, but my stuff hadn’t got to Jay Z yet. Nobody was making a move. “Lights Please” and “Lost Ones” were making their rounds, but it wasn’t no real action yet. I ended up in Connecticut at 50’s crib and he wasn’t home that night but people was still in his crib.Were Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks around?
Yayo, Sha Money and a couple other people were there, but Banks wasn’t that night. Yayo was going nuts, like, “Son!” When I see Tony Yayo today we still talk about that. It was a crazy night. After that, Sha Money was trying to fuck with me heavy. He was like “Son, look, I’m playing 50 your shit.” Supposedly the story is that he played 50 my shit and 50 wasn’t sure. Like, “I don’t know, man. Is he one of these skinny jeans niggas?” He couldn’t see it, but it was a good time in my life. It was brand new, fresh. Being in that crib was amazing.
J. Cole also speaks on recording with 50 for ‘NY Times’ and how he wanted Nas on the same song but didn’t work out.
Fast forward five years and you feature 50 on “New York Times,” off of Truly Yours 3. How did that track come about?
I made that song and didn’t write the hook, I just did the melody. On the original reference I’m humming the melody, but all I did was steal a 50 Cent melody—some shit I would hear 50 singing. I had that song for a year before the album came out. I was like, “Damn, I’d love to get 50 or Nas on this.” Nas was my original plan but he didn’t get the verse done in time. So we had this other kid from Queens named Bas.Wow, reuniting 50 and Nas could’ve been huge.
Exactly. For hip-hop, period. But really for New York. I wanted that to be a real New York record. This down South nigga coming and putting on for the city because I have a connection. So 50 came to the studio in L.A. to lay the verse and he heard the melody and he was like, “I could tell you was thinking about me when you were doing that melody.” He wrote that shit in five minutes, maybe. It was crazy to see that melody that was in my head come to life with the actual person who I wanted to do it. He gave us three hours worth of game that night, just talking.Were both Nas and 50 aware that they’d both be on the same record?
Yeah. I told 50 that night he laid the hook, “I just want to let you know I want to put Nas on this.” He was like, “Yeah that’s cool.” Then I hit Nas and told him I got this joint with 50 on it, and he was like “Cool.” Nobody had a problem with it. I think that they saw the moment was going to be big. I wish he could’ve gotten that verse done, but my nigga Bas is on that, so it’s all good.
Questlove: I Found J. Cole’s Lost Phone At A Gas Station
Questlove tells the story of how he randomly (very randomly) found J. Cole’s iPhone at a gas station. – Okayplayer
UPDATE: J. Cole Reportedly Tried To Fight Diddy At A VMA Afterparty; Both Respond On Twitter
I usually don't address rumors but I got too much respect for my bro @JColeNC. We are friends. We just yell in public sometimes LOL #Fam
— Diddy (@iamdiddy) August 26, 2013
people will believe anything
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) August 27, 2013
UPDATE: A couple of Tweets from both parties has hit the ‘net (above), which really don’t explain anything aside from Diddy’s humor.
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From ATL Night Spots:
The word is that J. Cole aka light skin Jermaine and Sean “Diddy” Combs got into a fight last night. The scuffle allegedly went down at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty at The Dream Hotel in New York City.
The two got into it exactly how fights usual happen.. Diddy and Cole traded words and eventually started scrapping. The two were separated, with Cole being escorted out of the hotel by security. VIBE reports that the party was sponsored by Diddy and Jay Z and their respective adult beverage brands, Ciroc and Dusse, respectively.
J. Cole: “Barack Obama Would Not Be President If He Were Dark Skin”
J. Cole spoke on anti-gay lyrics and Hip-Hop homophobia with BET. He also gave his opinion on the power of skin-color, using President Obama as an example. Real Talk NY reports:
BET: You got some backlash for anti-gay lyrics and you gave a statement to the Huffington Post. Do you regret using the word “f*****”?
No, not at all. It’s much different than the autism thing, it wasn’t conscious; that was a slip-up, being offensive without intent. The line was to engage the conversation of homophobia in Black culture and in hip hop. I thought it was going to be a way more interesting conversation that came from it. Of course I made the statement, but I thought from that it would spawn better conversations like, “Why are we so homophobic?”
BET: You’ve talked about including dark-skinned women in your music videos versus all light-skinned women. The light-skinned, dark-skinned issue certainly affects women in hip hop; does it affect men in hip hop?
I can’t say it for sure but I just think we’re still in America. We’re still Black Americans. Those mental chains are still in us. That brainwashing that tells us that light skin is better, it’s subconsciously in us, whether we know it or not… still pursuing light skin women. There are some women out there that are like, “I don’t even like light skin men” and that’s fine. But Barack Obama would not be President if he were dark skin. You know what I mean? That’s just the truth. I might not be as successful as I am now if I was dark skin. I’m not saying that for sure, I’m still as talented as I am and Obama is still as smart as he is, but it’s just a sad truth… I don’t even know if this is going to translate well into text and people not hearing what I’m saying, but it’s a sad reality. So I can only naturally assume it’s probably easier for a light skin male rapper than it might be for a dark skin male rapper. It’s all subconscious s***, nobody’s aware — I think that s*** still subconsciously affects us.
LMAO: Drake, Big Sean & J. Cole Speak On Kendrick Lamar Verse
This is late, but hilarious enough to throw up here in the wake of Kendrick’s verse on Big Sean’s ‘Control’.
J. Cole – Wall Street Journal Interview
J. Cole had an hour-long interview with the Wall Street Journal. He discussed releasing his album the same day as Kanye, that Autism lyric and subsequent apology, his family’s military background, college, relocating to NYC, his relationship with JAY Z and more.
J. Cole & Jennifer Hudson Perform At VH1′s 2013 Do Something! Awards
Jennifer Hudson takes over TLC’s duties for J. Cole’s ‘Crooked Smile’ at VH1’s Do Something! Awards.
J. Cole Performs On ‘Conan’
J. Cole brings his ‘Crooked Smile’ (from Born Sinner) to Conan.
Nas & J. Cole Cover VIBE
You can check out the Summer 2013 feature above between Nas and his “second coming” on VIBE’s website. Below is a behind the scenes clip of the photoshoot.
J. Cole Speaks On His Artist Bas (FUSE/VIBE TV)
J. Cole and Bas sit down with Fuse to talk about the up-and-coming rapper.
J. Cole – Amaru Don TV Interview (Parts 2 & 3)
J. Cole continues his interview with Amaru Don, speaking on topics like racism, relationships and more. Part 3 below.
Drake Brings Out Kanye West, Diddy, Mase & More At OVO Fest
Drake held his 4th annual OVO Fest last night in his hometown in Toronto and he brought out a lot of big names, which included Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne, Diddy, Mase, ASAP Rocky, J. Cole, Miguel, TLC, Wale, Big Sean, French Montana and The Weeknd. Check out the performances above and below from OVO Feat.
@Omen – Undercover (Prod By @JColeNC)
Omen from Chicago is an incredibly slept-on rapper and producer, glad to see that him being with Dreamville is resulting in amazing songs like this.
J. Cole (@JColeNC) Announces Tour With Wale (@Wale)
J. Cole has recently announced that him and Wale will be hitting the road this September. An interesting observation: neither of these artists will be making a tour stop in their respective hometowns. Check out the dates below.
Sept. 10 – Miami, FL – James L. Knight Center
Sept. 12 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live
Sept. 13 – Tampa, FL – David A. Straz Performing Arts Center
Sept. 14 – Jacksonville, FL – Moran Theater
Sept. 15 – Augusta, GA – William B. Bell Auditorium
Sept. 17 – Charlotte, NC – Halton Arena @ UNC Charlotte
Sept. 19 – St. Louis, MO – Fabulous Fox Theatre
Sept. 21 – Chicago, IL – Arie Crown Theatre
Sept. 24 – Boston, MA – Agganis Arena @ Boston University
Sept. 25 – Philadelphia, PA – The MANN
Sept. 27 – Cleveland, OH – State Theatre
Sept. 29 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
Oct. 2 – Norfolk, VA – Chrysler Hall
Oct. 4 – Atlanta, GA – The Fox Theatre Atlanta
Oct. 5 – E. Rutherford, NJ – Rock The Bells @ The Meadowlands
Oct. 8 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall
Oct. 10 – Detroit, MI – Masonic Temple Theatre
Oct. 12 – Milwaukee, WI – Eagles Ballroom
Oct. 13 – St. Paul, MN – Myth
Oct. 15 – Kansas City, MO – The Midland by AMC
Oct. 17 – New Orleans, LA – Kiefer UNO Lakefront Arena
Oct. 18 – Houston, TX – Reliant Arena
Oct. 19 – Austin, TX – Austin Music Hall
Oct. 20 – Grand Prairie, TX – Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
Oct. 22 – Broomfield, CO – 1st Bank Center
Oct. 25 – Las Vegas, NV – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
Oct. 27 – San Francisco, CA – Warfield Theatre
Oct. 30 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
UPDATE: J. Cole Apologizes For Autism Lyrics; Drake Adds His 2 Cents
I said something in a rap that was offensive to those with Autism. Feel terrible. A tweeted apology wouldn't do. http://t.co/cyMbXubz3T
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) July 21, 2013
UPDATE: Drake has piggybacked off of J. Cole’s response in regards to his ‘autism’ lyric as well.
J. Cole wrote a beautiful and moving apology to individuals and families affected by autism who were understandably hurt by a verse in “Jodeci Freestyle”. I share responsibility and offer my sincerest apologies for the pain this has caused. Individuals with autism have brilliant and creative minds, and their gifts should not be disparaged or discounted. This was a learning lesson for both of us, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to try to right this wrong. J. Cole and I believe that it is the right, responsible, and respectful decision to remove the lyric from the song.
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J. Cole Tweeted this last night in response to a lyric that he rapped on ‘Jodeci Freestyle’ (his recent collaboration with Drake):
‘I’m artistic, you n****s is autistic, retarded”.
Autistic rappers and groups alike have already blasted Cole for the remarks, and as such, he has apologized on his website regarding the matter (he also somewhat addressed the fact that rappers are being attacked over lyrics quite a bit as of late).
Autism Speaks
Recently there’s been a trend that includes rappers saying something
offensive, only to be attacked for it in the media and pressured to
apologize. I have to be completely honest and say there’s a part of me
that resents that. I view rap similar to how I view comedy. It’s going
to ruffle feathers at times. It’s going to go “too far”. I do not
believe that an apology is needed every time someone is offended,
especially when that apology is really only for the sake of saving an
endorsement or cleaning up bad press.With that said, this is not the case today. This letter is sincere.
This apology IS necessary.In a recent verse on the song “Jodeci Freestyle”, I said something
highly offensive to people with Autism. Last week, when I first saw a
comment from someone outraged about the lyric, I realized right away
that what I said was wrong. I was instantly embarrassed that I would
be ignorant enough say something so hurtful. What makes the crime
worse is that I should have known better.To the entire Autism community who expressed outrage, I’m moved and
inspired by your passion, and I’m amazed at how strong you are as a
unit. I have now read stories online from parents about their
struggles and triumphs with raising an Autistic child and I admire how
incredibly strong you have to be to do so. It’s touching. It also
makes what I said even more embarrassing for me. I feel real shame.
You have every right to be angry.To anyone suffering from Autism, either mildly or severely, I am
sorry. I’m bound to make mistakes in my life, but in my heart I just
want to spread Love.I want to educate myself more on Autism, and I’ll gladly own my
mistake and serve as an example to today’s generation that there’s
nothing cool about mean-spirited comments about someone with Autism.
People with this disorder and their loved ones have to go through so
much already, the last thing they need is to hear something as
ignorant as what I said. I understand.To the parents who are fighting through the frustrations that must
come with raising a child with severe autism, finding strength and
patience that they never knew they had; to the college student with
Asperger’s Syndrome; to all those overcoming Autism. You deserve
medals, not disrespect. I hope you accept my sincere apology.Much Love
-Cole
J. Cole Performs On ‘The View’
J. Cole performed his single ‘Power Trip’ for the ladies of The View.
J. Cole – Amaru Don TV Interview (Part 1)
J Cole sits down with Amaru Don to discuss facing rejection at various points in his life, including how rejection from Jay-Z had a negative effect on him for a period of time and overcoming it.
SNEAK PEEK: J. Cole – Crooked Smile
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Plenty of pics to check out above, as J. Cole was in Brooklyn to film the visual for his next single, the TLC-assisted ‘Crooked Smile’. No TLC sighting as of yet (it would really suck for them to not appear in this video).
J. Cole’s Born Sinner Lands #1 On Charts
It’s better late then never!! But three weeks after the release of J.Cole’s Born Sinner album, He will land number 1 on the Billboard charts.
According to HDD, Born Sinner sold an additional 55,000 last week. This will be J. Cole’s second number one.
Wale x J. Cole – Winter Schemes
Wale links with J. Cole for a new track produced by Jake Uno (this track could appear on Self-Made 3). We haven’t had a track with these two in a few years, so this is definitely a gift following their recently released new albums. Make sure to pick up Born Sinner & The Gifted, in stores now. Warm Up 2 is on the way and this could appear on Self Made 3.