J Cole Freestyle On 102 Jamz! (Rapping Over "Affirmative Action" By The Firm Beat)

J. Cole Unzips Backpacker Misconceptions, "I Got Bigger Aspirations Than That" [Video] + Burned By Hometown Controversy

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:

J. Cole Kicks An Ill Freestyle On Tim Westwood's Radio Show

J. Cole Locks In Roc Nation Debut Release Date

Roc Nation's J. Cole recently announced plans to drop his debut album, tentatively titled Cole World, this fall.

Speaking with radio personality Jenny Boom Boom, Cole spoke on reaching the 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 month, Cole spoke 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."

Cole also said he was unfazed by the song not being a typical commercial single.

"I just do weird stuff. Even the fact, coming out with 'Who Dat.' It's not the typical song that's going to be on the radio, it's not the typical song that's going to play in the clubs but that's what it felt like," he added. "That was the feeling. It felt like the move so we moved. It's going to do it's job, it's going to do what it's supposed to do. I think the video was the same way. It was like, 'Yo, we love this idea. Let's do it.' Forget about the rules and what your first video is supposed to be. I'm supposed to [have] X amount of scenes and this amount of light skinned girls. I just like to do things my way."

In February, Cole talked about putting together his forthcoming Roc Nation debut album.

"I'm in with No I.D. right now. He's incredible. It's fun," Cole said about his album's production. "My favorite producer, after I started producing [and] paying attention to producers, was Kanye...Being in with No I.D. 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 I.D. cloth."

Check out J. Cole's "Who Dat" music video down below:

J. Cole - Who Dat (Directed by BBGUN) from bbgun on Vimeo.

J. Cole On 5 Artists He Wants To Produce For, "I Feel I Could Give Nas The Best Material Of My Life" [Video]

Roc Nation rapper J. Cole has revealed his Top 5 list of artists he hopes to work with in the near future.

Despite naming artists like Nas and Jay-Z, Cole said he would be up for producing a track for R&B superstar Beyonce.

"Five artists I have to produce tracks for as soon as I finish my album, Wale," Cole revealed in an interview. "That's my man and I'm attached to that album, I want to see it do well and I feel if I'm on it, then I'm going to see to it that it does well. Nas for the same reasons. I feel I could give Nas the best material of my life on a production end. I'm such a fan and have been a fan. Jay, I gotta get something on Jay one of these days. Beyonce, one of these days, but that's like further down the road, you know you gotta be on a higher level to mess with Beyonce. And then the fifth, I say Andre 3000. I know he's been working on this elusive solo album but if I could get something on there or something with him, period, than that'd be beautiful, so I say those five."

Last month, Nas revealed his procedure for beat selection.

"Well I have a wish list sometimes or I have a dream list of who I would love to work with and wish they would want to get in the studio and do records or whatever," Nas said in an interview. "Then I have my own ideas of being a producer. And what happens is a lot of time goes by with me being indecisive so it winds up with me kind of like doing what I have to do really fast because I played around for so long. Then, the deadlines come. But, you never know who has it, everyone's got a lot of talent. You have Little Brother, you have Drumma Boy. There's a lot of dudes I like right now. You have DJ Toomp."

Cole recently spoke on being compared to Nas.

"Drake comparing me to Nas, I really kinda misspoke. I didn't want it to come across how it came across, it's really flattering that he would say that because I knew where he was coming from and what he was saying about that, so, I mean, to be compared to Nas by anybody, I don't care who it is, it is an honor but like I say, my only point was that it's one thing to compare, but, those guys got so many years in the game, you gotta do a lot more. It's like when they called everybody the next Jordan and they would just fade away so quick but you know, that's not gonna be me."

Little Brother's Big Pooh recently told SOHH the fellow North Carolina artist reminded him of Nas.

"I like J. Cole," Pooh told SOHH, "I listen to some of his material and I was kinda late as far as checking him out or whatever, but I think he's got a chance to really, really, make a mark and an imprint. It's funny because I didn't really think about it until I saw Drake say it in an interview but it's almost like he's right but it's almost like Drake is taking the Jay-Z approach and Cole is like, taking the Nas approach on how they're creating and I kinda see him almost in that mode. I just hope he comes out and he defines his own success and he don't necessarily worry about putting North Carolina on his back but doing what's best for J. Cole. If he do that, then North Carolina will be behind him."

Check out J. Cole's interview down below:

BET Videos

Rick Ross, Jay Electronica, Diddy, J. Cole & More Remember Michael Jackson

Rappers Rick Ross, Jay Electronica, Diddy, J. Cole and more have reflected on the legacy of Michael Jackson on the one year anniversary of his passing.

Writing via Twitter, Rick Ross posted an image of the music icon from his childhood.

"rip mj...in this pic seems he seen something..at early age!!greatest of all time!! http://twitpic.com/1zrdhm"

Jay Elect remembered the effect Jackson had on the world.

"Michael Jackson's presence and energy here on earth was so strong, it don't even feel like he left."

Diddy said he was still in disbelief Jackson had passed away.

"Can't believe its been a year without the legend... He lives on forever in our hearts + spirit!! RIP MICHAEL!!!"

Actress Lauren London paid homage to the singer's memory.

"RT @MiO_MyO: "Born to amuse to inspire & delight. Here 1 day, gone 1 night" RIP to the genius, selfless humanitarian, King of Entertainment MJ, I love u"

Speaking in an interview, J. Cole gave his thoughts on what Jackson meant to music.

"He literally gave his life to entertainment. He couldn't live a normal life because of that," said rising MC J. Cole, referring to the intense fame the star grappled with for most of his life. "That's how much he loved to do this."

Jackson passed away one year ago from medical complications.

On the afternoon of June 25, 2009, while in the middle of rehearsing for a series of 50 concerts, Jackson collapsed. He was rushed to the UCLA Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at the age of 50. His death was later ruled a homicide, the result of ingesting a lethal amount of prescription drugs.

J. Cole Breaks The Rules In "Who Dat" Video, "I Didn't Come Out W/ A Whole Bunch Of Jewelry & Light Skinned Girls"

After this week's release of J. Cole's "Who Dat" music video, SOHH caught up with the Roc Nation rookie to get more details on the new visual.

Giving the exclusive scoop on how the video was filmed, Cole talked about taking an organic approach to his new clip.

"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."

Cole also said he was unfazed by the song not being a typical commercial single.

"I just do weird stuff. Even the fact, coming out with 'Who Dat.' It's not the typical song that's going to be on the radio, it's not the typical song that's going to play in the clubs but that's what it felt like," he added. "That was the feeling. It felt like the move so we moved. It's going to do it's job, it's going to do what it's supposed to do. I think the video was the same way. It was like, 'Yo, we love this idea. Let's do it.' Forget about the rules and what your first video is supposed to be. I'm supposed to [have] X amount of scenes and this amount of light skinned girls. I just like to do things my way."

The video began to circulate online earlier this week.

Roc-Nation's number 1 artist J. Cole just released the video for his first single "Who Dat" off of his still untitled project under Roc-Nation . Roc-Nation is Jay-Z's music label which is still in its initial stages, J. Cole is one of the best in the roster yet and Who Dat is one of the illest songs i've heard in a long time. The video was shot by BBGUN and is a one-take video, pretty dope. Surprising how difficult it is to make one-take videos, J's doing all sorts of different things, surrounded by continuous explosions behind him and people rooting "Who Dat" in the back.

Last February, Cole talked about putting together his forthcoming Roc Nation debut album.

"I'm in with No I.D. right now. He's incredible. It's fun," Cole said about his album's production. "My favorite producer, after I started producing [and] paying attention to producers, was Kanye...Being in with No I.D. 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 I.D. cloth."

Check out J. Cole's "Who Dat" music video down below:

J. Cole - Who Dat (Directed by BBGUN) from bbgun on Vimeo.

J. Cole – ‘Who Dat’

J. Cole Invades New York’s 40/40 Club

In what was almost a fire hazard in the making, J. Cole walked down the stairs inside Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club to showcase his tunes for a packed house of eager listeners. For those that didn’t get the chance to view his live stream on Wednesday night or skipped attending the event to hear him spit coarse lines dressed in a scarlet “Spain” jersey jacket, they missed out. Straight bum-rushing the crowd with the first bar, J. hardly worked the stage on “Simba,” but by the end of “Dollar and a Dream,” he worked up a sweat.

“Grown Simba” followed, and in between songs, the Roc Nation rapper gave a shout-out to his alma mater, St. John’s University. Yet from either the passion or excitement that got the best of him, Cole began reciting the wrong verse to “Lights Please.” Young Simba told the DJ to “Play that back!” then solicited the audience’s participation. The moment—which could have been a quasi-call to see if the crowd knew his lyrics—was short-lived, and as all rookies learn, the show must go on.

Cole once more called on the crowd to chime in on “Who Dat,” rallying to see who can yell louder, the fans on the floor or those standing on the stairs. The North Carolina native also spit a few other mixtape hits, “Last Call,” “Dead Presidents II,” and “Losing My Balance.” While he rapped through several records sans his collaborators, including Miguel’s “AlI I Want Is You” and Wale’s “Beautiful Bliss,” J. Cole proved he had no problem holding his own on stage. As the closer, he had the audience clapping away to the night’s most fitting song and one that describes Cole’s journey: Jay-Z’s “A Star Is Born.”

J. Cole Follows Jay-Z's Blueprint, "I Try To Model Myself & My Moves After Those He's Made"

Roc Nation's J. Cole recently spoke on his admiration for his boss, Jay-Z, and the business moves he makes.

Cole respects Jay's decision to invest in business ventures outside of hip-hop.

"In terms of business, I feel like that's Jay," Cole said referring to who he looks to for inspiration. "Jay handled his business in the best way a rapper can handle his business. So I try to model myself and my moves after those he's made. I'm not necessarily following it exactly, but just knowing that you got to invest your money and think outside of the rap box. That's major."

Last March, Cole said Jay also influenced his approach to stage presence during shows.

"As the tour went on, I got way more comfortable, I learned a lot about doing shows and why Jay-Z is able to do shows," Cole toldradio personality DJ Whoo Kid. "I learned pretty much from him that confidence is everything. If you feel like you deserve to be up there, which of course he does, he feels like that, it shows and all the minor stuff you used to worry about like what kind of hand movements am I supposed to do, all that goes out the window when you got the confidence like 'Yo, I deserve to be up there, people came to see me.' So it's really treating it like that. I used to worry about performing like, 'Ah man, I'm trying to please every side of the crowd,' like make sure they gettin' love, they gettin' love, Jay just plays wherever he wants. If he wants to play the center for the whole verse, he'll do that. And all that comes from confidence, when you feel you deserve to be up there."

Prior to getting a guest feature on Jay's Blueprint III song "A Star Is Born," Cole went after the rap mogul as an unsigned artist shortly after college.

"Junior year. I thought to myself, OK, sh*t, what am I doing?," Cole said in an interview last year. "That's when I realized that I had to get my networking up. I tried everything, dog. I mean Myspace messages, making up shirts with slogans like, 'Produce for Jay-Z or Die Trying.' Standing outside of studios waiting. I was trying to get internships at studios! All of that led to me getting connected with one my business partners, Mike Rooney. Fast forward a year and a half after I graduate, I wind up meeting Jay-Z."

Despite being under the mogul's watch, Cole addressed being compared to Jay's close friend and former labelmate Memphis Bleek.

"People always ask me, 'Yo man, how do you feel about the Memphis Bleek comparison,'" Cole said in an interview. "Like, Memphis Bleek is somebody totally different than me. He has a different story, different relationship with Jay, he came in at a different time. Like, why are you insinuating that Memphis Bleek isn't happy with where he's at? Maybe he's comfortable and content with that. Me? I know where I want to go and I know what I want to be. I knew from an early point and that's where I'm trying to go. Like, I have nothing to do with who Jay signed before. It's all about what I bring to the table."

In addition to partial ownership of basketball franchise the New Jersey Nets, Jay-Z also has business ties with Roc Nation, Rocawear, Hewlett-Packard, Budweiser and more.

Check out J. Cole speaking on Jay-Z down below: