J. Cole

Jermaine Lamar Cole, better known by his stage name Jay Cole, is an American hip hop singer, music producer and basketball player. He gained widespread fame after the release of his debut mixtape The Come Up.

J.Cole began rhyming at the age of 14 after his cousin taught him the basics of rhyming and wordplay. Inspired by rappers like 2Pac, Canibus, Eminem and Jay-Z, Cole decided he would tell life stories in his tracks. By the age of 15, he had notebooks full of rhymes, but no beats to record them to.

Cole released his debut mixtape The Come Up in 2007 after graduating from college. Jay-Z signed him after listening to “Lights Please.” In anticipation of the release of his second mixtape, Cole released the single “Show Me Somethin'” for introductory purposes.