|
J. Cole Talks His Fighting Spirit And Rejection From Jay-Z
 Rapper J. Cole is making a name for himself. He recently opened up to Rolling Out magazine about his struggle and determination to make it in the rap game. A hustle that has paid off. Check some excerpts from the interview below:
How did you get into rap without there being a major rapper in your city to inspire you?
I started rapping out of fun. My cousin was rapping and I thought he was cool. But when I got the Can-I-Bus album in 1998, I knew he was rapping on another level. Nas and OutKast were great rappers and it was hard to do what they were doing lyrically, but I was drawn to Canibus’ punchlines. During that time, freestyle battles were big. So I decided to get wittier with my punch lines and wordplay after hearing that album.
You were known for basketball skills before becoming known as a rapper. Was there anything in sports that prepared you for where you are in music?
I tried out for the basketball team as freshman and I got cut. My cousin played ball and told me to become the team’s manager, get in good with the coach and learn the system. So I swallowed my pride and I became the team’s manager. I figured that I would make the team the next year just because I was the team’s manager. But I got cut the very next year. The average person would have [given] up after getting cut twice. The next summer before my junior year, I played one-on-one with the best player on the team and worked hard on my game. I finally made the team and I was starting my senior year. If it wasn’t for that rejection in basketball, I’m not sure if I would have had what it takes to make it in rap.
That story sounds like your first encounter with Jay-Z. What led to that moment?
I graduated from St. John’s University. At the time, all of my friends got nine-to-five jobs and were making $30,000 to 40,000 per year. I was working at a newspaper in Queens making $8 per hour at a part-time job so that I could still do music at night. I heard that Jay-Z was recording the American Gangster album. That same night, I made two beats and I thought it would be perfect for Jay-Z. I went to the studio where Jay-Z was recording and I waited outside for three hours. His Phantom finally pulled up. I was super timid and shy. I had the CD in my hand and I tried to hand it to Jay-Z. He looked at it and said, ‘What is this? I don’t want that. Give it to one of those other guys.’ It was crushing. That was another moment. But I snapped back to reality. I knew after that, I had to go harder. That type of rejection fuels me. I believe that greatness is fueled by rejection. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team; Jay-Z had trouble getting a record deal before Reasonable Doubt; and no one wanted to sign Kanye West as a rapper.
How did the second meeting with Jay-Z come about?
One year later, Jay-Z heard a song through Mark Pitts. Jay called me for a meeting. It was a three-hour meeting and I played my music [for] him. We talked about President Obama and other things. Five weeks later, he offered me a record deal.
What's your take on J. Cole's interview?
Date Submitted: 9/26/2011 9:34 AM
Comments:
PostedBy: Single In The City
|
|
Get More News And Videos About: jay-z j. cole
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
|
|
RELATED VIDEOS
Odd Christmas Ft. Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Drake, Rihanna, Big Sean, Plies, Rick Ross, Beyonce, J. Cole, Jay-Z, Kanye West
|
|
J. Cole Speaks On Nitecap About Butting Heads With Jay-Z + How Keeping It Real Ruins Rapper Careers
|
|
Wale address rumors of Him Dating Solange - J. Cole talks Pharell & Jay-Z rumors
|
|
J. Cole's A Star Is Born Pt. 1 - Talks Getting signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation
|
|
Jay-Z Handles Hip Hop Like A Boss But His Ball Handling Skills Look Suspect
|
|
Watch Jay-Z Address The Critics About His Percentage In Brooklyn Nets
|
|
|
