J. Cole

Name: J. Cole (Jermaine Lamarr Cole)
Date of Birth: January 28, 1985
City: Fayetteville, North Carolina (raised there; born on a military base in Frankfurt, Germany)
Country: United States
Genre: Hip-Hop, Conscious Hip-Hop, Rap
Band/Group Members: Solo artist
Roles: Rapper, songwriter, producer

Bio:
Picture a kid born on a U.S. military base in Germany, then landing in the quiet streets of Fayetteville, North Carolina, where the weight of small-town life meets big dreams. That's J. Cole's starting line—self-taught on piano, scribbling bars since his teens, turning everyday struggles into sharp, thoughtful verses that cut through the noise. He broke through with mixtapes like The Come Up back in 2007, grinding until Jay-Z signed him to Roc Nation, and by 2011, Cole World: The Sideline Story hit number one, no features needed, just pure Cole proving he could stand alone.

His sound has always felt personal, like late-night talks with a close friend—conscious flows over soulful beats, tackling fame's traps, identity, addiction, and growth. Albums like 2014 Forest Hills Drive (platinum with zero features) and KOD hit deep, turning mirrors on society while keeping it real about his own path. He built Dreamville Records, launched a festival, and stayed grounded, even when the industry pushed for flash.

Right now, in early 2026, Cole just dropped the bomb: his seventh studio album, The Fall-Off, is coming February 6—his last one, he says. Teased with a cinematic trailer reflecting on rise and decline, plus snippets hinting at heavy bars over production from T-Minus and others, fans are already feeling the weight. It's the kind of project that could close a chapter while reminding everyone why his voice still matters in a genre full of noise. If you're digging for lyrics that make you think and feel at the same time, start with Forest Hills Drive or queue up whatever drops next—he's got that rare gift of making the personal universal.