Born in Fayetteville in 1985, J. Cole is a prolific rapper and storyteller, singer, songwriter, and producer. In 2009, he was the first artist signed to Jay Z’s label, Roc Nation, with his first release Cole World: The Sideline Story. Noted for his introspective lyrics, J. Cole’s work has continued to top the Billboard charts. All of J. Cole’s albums have gone platinum, awarding him 18 GRAMMY nominations and two wins for Best Melodic Rap Performance (“All My Life” ) and Best Rap Song (“A Lot”).
J. Cole is the founder of Dreamville Records and the Dreamville Foundation. Dreamville Records represents artists of “the connected age” who align with J. Cole’s unique focus as an artist deeply rooted in community. The Dreamville Foundation is an example of J. Cole’s commitment to supporting his community, both in Fayetteville, and beyond. The Foundation supports children and families who are attempting to overcome obstacles in their social environment. He created Dreamville Fest as a mechanism to support this work. Anchored in Raleigh, NC, the festival spotlights community, diversity, and inclusivity and is the state’s first music festival dedicated to the genres that his work spans.
“I am here to spread a message of hope. Follow your heart. Don't follow what you've been told you were supposed to do.”