J. Cole is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer known for his introspective lyrics and self-produced beats. Born Jermaine Lamarr Cole on January 28, 1985, in Frankfurt, Germany, he was raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He gained recognition with his debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story in 2011 and has since released several critically acclaimed albums, including 2014 Forest Hills Drive, which went platinum without guest features. Cole is also the founder of Dreamville Records, a label that has signed artists like JID, Ari Lennox, and Bas. Beyond music, he has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including housing single mothers rent-free at his childhood home in Fayetteville.
