Jermaine Cole, known the world over as J. COLE, has in a matter of a few years established himself as one of the realest and most soulful rappers of our generation. At 29, with a degree in Communications under his belt, the level-headed youngster has an extensive variety of songs that tackle issues of racism, heartbreak, finding love, chilling with the boys and even the unexpected side to success. Get to know one of America's leading rappers and how he went from rapping in his dorm room at university to rocking sold out shows all over world. |
"I always feel like it's two key ingredients when it comes to following your dreams, making something happen that the average person deems difficult. If you truly believe it, that's step one.
Step two, is, you know, the hard work that goes along with it."
J. Cole was never afraid of dreaming big. He knew he wanted to give his family a better and brighter future and he knew he loved mixing beats and rapping in his room. These little clues would later fuel his passion to become a rapper, in pursuit of fame and fortune. In a documentary interview about his rise to fame, Cole was asked: "Did you always know things would be like this?" (Like this meaning fame, wealth and success) Cole immeadiately said: "Yes," without hestitation, "I did always know this would happen. That sounds crazy, I know. It was blind faith."
As much as it might look like, to someone else, that I'm successful, I never feel like I'm anywhere. The further I go, I still feel equally further from my eventual goal. Because as I grow, I get more goals. I'm never content.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jcole569158.html#idQUiRIs0z8yUqAg.99
I'm here to spread a message of hope. Follow your heart. Don't follow what you've been told you're supposed to do.
As much as it might look like, to someone else, that I'm successful, I never feel like I'm anywhere. The further I go, I still feel equally further from my eventual goal. Because as I grow, I get more goals. I'm never content.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jcole569158.html#idQUiRIs0z8yUqAg.99
I'm here to spread a message of hope. Follow your heart. Don't follow what you've been told you're supposed to do.
He identified his dream, invested the time necessary to perfect his craft and never gave up. Through the frustrations that come with having big hopes for yourself and your family of a better life, combined with the often harsh times that come at us, Jermaine was able to lock into his vision and endure anything that was thrown his way. The other side of this R-coin, would be REAL.
Don't let your hustle cloud your judgement and take you away from the things that truly matter: your family, friends, love and kindness. Chase your dreams, reach for the stars but keep your feet on the ground - don't be afraid to stretch ;)
Don't let your hustle cloud your judgement and take you away from the things that truly matter: your family, friends, love and kindness. Chase your dreams, reach for the stars but keep your feet on the ground - don't be afraid to stretch ;)
Meeting JAY- Z: The Relentless Dreamer
He's spoken of a very defining moment early in his career, where he was standing outside of the Def Jam Studios in NYC with his best friend in the pouring rain, waiting for 3 hours with the hope of seeing Jay-Z to try to give him a demo.
How crazy is that? A little boy with a dream standing in the pouring rain to give his little demo tape to his future boss and mentor - that is relentless.
He notes that Jay-Z scoffed at his CD and said something along the lines of, "Dude, I don't want that sh*t. Give it to one of them." (Them referring to his security or possibly associates) Although this could be a blow to a young dreamer and someone who saw Jay as an idol, Jermaine didn't let that stop his hustle. His passion and vision was so unrelenting that it really didn't matter what Jay said or did, it wouldn't dampen the fiery passion that he had brewing inside.
That's how relentless you need to become. Forget egos, pride and feelings - they only serve to keep you in your comfort zone and that's not where your dreams are going to be found. Believe that.
How crazy is that? A little boy with a dream standing in the pouring rain to give his little demo tape to his future boss and mentor - that is relentless.
He notes that Jay-Z scoffed at his CD and said something along the lines of, "Dude, I don't want that sh*t. Give it to one of them." (Them referring to his security or possibly associates) Although this could be a blow to a young dreamer and someone who saw Jay as an idol, Jermaine didn't let that stop his hustle. His passion and vision was so unrelenting that it really didn't matter what Jay said or did, it wouldn't dampen the fiery passion that he had brewing inside.
That's how relentless you need to become. Forget egos, pride and feelings - they only serve to keep you in your comfort zone and that's not where your dreams are going to be found. Believe that.
He understood early on that education was important. Not just the conventional streams of education such as university and the likes, he valued the wisdom he could gain from those around him as well as those who came before him. His hunger for knowledge and his dreams inspired him to become involved in various groups at university and battle complex, thought-provoking topics focused on race, social inequality and power in our modern world. His personal experiences, especially as a bi-racial young man in the United States, showed him explicitly how different life can be, given the perspective.
One of his favourite rappers was 2Pac (Surprise surprise!) who had similar circumstances growing up and as a result, similar goals: raised by a single mom, grew up relatively modest and yet still understood that there is more to life - I can become more and thereby inspire those around me to become more as well, despite my surroundings. This enlightened mindset and intuitive thinking is essential in stretching beyond yourself and your "limits" and becoming all that you truly can become.
Take your time. It's okay to discover who you are, invest in yourself and start grinding for your goals!
One of his favourite rappers was 2Pac (Surprise surprise!) who had similar circumstances growing up and as a result, similar goals: raised by a single mom, grew up relatively modest and yet still understood that there is more to life - I can become more and thereby inspire those around me to become more as well, despite my surroundings. This enlightened mindset and intuitive thinking is essential in stretching beyond yourself and your "limits" and becoming all that you truly can become.
Take your time. It's okay to discover who you are, invest in yourself and start grinding for your goals!
Despite being dissatisfied with his financial situation as a young boy, as a successful entertainer it is evident that J. Cole has come to a truly introspective place in his life. His song "Love Yourz" truly exemplifies this, where he explains that the pain of struggling financially and fantasizing about the glamorous things you see on TV is normal but don't think that by getting it, you'll all of a sudden feel fulfillment and happiness. You have to love what you have, where you are and the people you're with to truly make it, the fancy frills can't bring that type of happiness. He warns that he means no disrespect to those currently struggling and dreaming but just hear his side of the story - from struggling to living it up as we see most rappers do.
"No such thing as a life that's better than yours.
Don't be sleepin' on your level cause
it's beauty in the struggle, ugliness in the success.
Hear my words or listen to my signal of distress
I grew up in the city and though some times we had less
Compared to some of my (homies) down the block man we were blessed
And life can't be no fairytale, no once upon a time [...]
For what's money without happiness?
Or hard times without the people you love [...]
you ain't never gon' be happy till you love yours.
"No such thing as a life that's better than yours.
Don't be sleepin' on your level cause
it's beauty in the struggle, ugliness in the success.
Hear my words or listen to my signal of distress
I grew up in the city and though some times we had less
Compared to some of my (homies) down the block man we were blessed
And life can't be no fairytale, no once upon a time [...]
For what's money without happiness?
Or hard times without the people you love [...]
you ain't never gon' be happy till you love yours.
Despite living the lifestyle of a typical rapper with the bling, the girls and the clubs - J. Cole began to see where he was headed and decided that this flashy life wasn't doing it for him. The dream to be financially independent and in a position to help his family and inspire the people around him was coming true but the frills to stroke his ego wasn't why he got into this world. As a result, he turned in his Range Rover and now rides a bicycle as his means of transportation; his life is now in alignment with his current vision and goals.
Always check yourself at varying stages in your life. The goals you set at 16, will most likely reflect a completely different mindset at 25.
You are constantly growing, evolving, learning and expanding - never limit yourself on the superficial dreams you may have set for yourself in your teens.
Always check yourself at varying stages in your life. The goals you set at 16, will most likely reflect a completely different mindset at 25.
You are constantly growing, evolving, learning and expanding - never limit yourself on the superficial dreams you may have set for yourself in your teens.