Roc Nation's J. Cole has revealed his biggest rap misconception and said people tend to believe he is solely a representative of backpack rappers.
Although he prides himself in making non-commerical rap records, Cole said people tend to box him into one category.
"Biggest misconception, [it's] that I'm a backpack rapper," Cole said in an interview when asked about the public's biggest misconception of himself. "I feel that people [assume that], which is cool, I represent the backpack kids but I feel like I got bigger aspirations than just that. I don't mean to break the hearts of all the backpackers out there but you can't box me in that small."
In a past interview, Cole said he found inspiration in rap icons like Nas and the late Tupac Shakur.
"The more lyrical rappers. I gravitate toward the classic and more lyrical rappers," he explaind in an interview. "Sometimes when I'm in the studio we spend an hour on YouTube watching old rap and freestyle. For a while there it was really lyrical and witty and was always personalized. I'm drawn toward storytellers like Nas and Tupac. I'm realizing my own work in this day is generally not something that is out there. There is a lot of talent, but they just aren't putting out what I am. The whole game is exciting but nobody in a long time has come out with the skills for lyrical writing that I am coming out with."
Speaking with radio personality Jenny Boom Boom earlier this summer, Cole opened up about reaching his debut album's completion.
"I'm practically, almost finished," he said laughing. "Every song that's on my album is there now. It's just about tying up the loose ends. One song needs like two verses, [another] song still needs some instruments. But I do finally have all the songs that are going to be on my album. I was missing, like, two songs before...[Jay-Z] is super impressed. I think he's more so impressed with the fact that I kind of just did this on my own. I got in [the studio] with No I.D., but a lot of the stuff has been coming from me. So I feel like [Jay] looks at me like, 'Yo, he can really produce.' ... [The label] says October 26th. I say it'll be before that."
Last June, Cole talked with SOHH about his new "Who Dat" music video.
"I think it was an excellent reception," Cole told SOHH. "I just wish I would've explained to people more that it was a one shot, that we shot on film and even when you watch it in HD version it looks incredible because it was on 35mm film which is what they use to shoot movies with. Even with that said I think people respect the fact that I went home [to Fayetteville, NC]. I didn't come out with a whole bunch of jewelry, a whole bunch of light skinned girls with short shorts on. It's a real organic feeling video. I really wish I would've explained more to people but you know in time people will get it. They'll see all the imagery and all the little signs."
Check out J. Cole's interview below:
What's The Biggest Misconception About J.Cole? from LowKey on Vimeo.
Roc Nation's J. Cole has addressed recent controversy surrounding his home state tribute "Who Dat" music video after Fayetteville State University administrators denounced the music for its "explicit content."
Cole believes the issues stemmed from the Chancellor James Anderson who could not see a positive message behind his rhymes.
"He pretty much had a problem with the cheerleaders appearing in the video," Cole said about Fayetteville State's issue with his viral video. "We had the cheerleaders from FSU, we had the highschool marching band from one of the local schools -- basically the chancellor of Fayetteville State was upset because of my language. He was upset that everything fell into place, the highschool had to say the same thing but I feel that's their age difference. That's that social, cultural difference in age. Like, they can't look past the curse words and see somebody from Fayetteville made it out and is actually doing something positive that they like and wants to come back and shine some light on the city and they can't look past the curse words. I understand but that's not how the city feels, it's how he feels."
Last month, administrators were trying to pull the video from media outlets.
Schools Superintendent Frank Till Jr. issued a statement Tuesday demanding the new J. Cole video "Who Dat" be pulled immediately from the Internet and TV. FSU Chancellor James Anderson apologized in a letter to alumni for Bronco cheerleaders who appear in the video. It was filmed this spring in Fayetteville, where J. Cole grew up.
They also denied having knowledge of the video containing explicit language.
"I think it shows the school and the city in a negative light," Till said. "I think it was a legitimate mistake on the school's part...We don't allow that kind of language in our school...Why would we allow our students to do something like this?" Till said the video was shot after school hours and that each student turned in a release form signed by a parent. School officials at the scene of the video shoot said they didn't hear profane lyrics.
Following its release, Cole talked with SOHH about shooting the clip in North Carolina.
"I think it was an excellent reception," Cole told SOHH. "I just wish I would've explained to people more that it was a one shot, that we shot on film and even when you watch it in HD version it looks incredible because it was on 35mm film which is what they use to shoot movies with. Even with that said I think people respect the fact that I went home [to Fayetteville, NC]. I didn't come out with a whole bunch of jewelry, a whole bunch of light skinned girls with short shorts on. It's a real organic feeling video. I really wish I would've explained more to people but you know in time people will get it. They'll see all the imagery and all the little signs."
Check out J. Cole speaking on the video down below:
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