New Artist #4: J. Cole

If you’re a Jay-Z fan you know of J. Cole. You heard his verse on “A Star is Born” off of Jay’s Blueprint 3. You even hit rewind to hear his verse again. Why? The young North Carolina native is a definite star in the making and he did more than enhance Jay’s track, he blessed it.

Writing rhymes since age 12, Cole isn’t your average rapper. He attended St. John’s University on an academic scholarship, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. When he wasn’t studying he was fine-tuning his sound as a rapper. He later released his mixtape The Warm Up, giving fans a taste of a conscious, insightful rap style that will surely make him a star. He spit fire, Common-like bars on “Lights Please” saying,

Ain’t it shameful how niggas blame hoes for givin’ birth to a baby that took two to make? Coward nigga, you a fake. How you gon’ look in your son’s face and turn your back? Then go start another family dog, what type of shit is that?

Cole goes on to put his own touch on a classic with Jay-Z’s “Dead Presidents.” We should all take notice and believe in the youngster in 2010. After all, Cole told us, “Yeah, I’m focused man, I’ll let you muthafu**as soak it in.” Clap for ‘em.