J. Cole, born Jermaine Lamarr Cole on January 28, 1985, is an influential American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born in Frankfurt, Germany, and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, he developed a passion for music at a young age. Cole gained early recognition through a series of mixtapes, starting with "The Come Up" in 2007, followed by "The Warm Up" in 2009 and "Friday Night Lights" in 2010. His talent caught the attention of rapper Jay-Z, who signed him to his Roc Nation label. In 2011, J. Cole released his debut studio album, "Cole World: The Sideline Story," which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Known for his introspective lyrics and social commentary, he continued to rise with albums such as "Born Sinner" (2013), "2014 Forest Hills Drive" (2014), and "4 Your Eyez Only" (2016). Cole's 2014 Forest Hills Drive was both a commercial and critical success, going double platinum with no features and cementing his place as one of hip-hop's leading artists. He followed with "KOD" in 2018 and "The Off-Season" in 2021, both of which also topped the charts. In addition to his solo work, J. Cole founded Dreamville Records, a successful label home to several rising artists. He is also known for his philanthropic efforts and conscious approach to fame and success. Over the years, J. Cole has built a reputation as one of the most respected and thoughtful figures in modern hip-hop.