@JCOLE...J. Cole, born Jermaine Lamarr Cole on January 28, 1985, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He was born in a military base in Germany and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina. J. Cole gained recognition with his debut mixtape, The Come Up, in 2007, and later signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation label. He is known for his introspective lyrics and storytelling ability, and he has released several critically acclaimed albums, becoming one of the most influential figures in contemporary hip-hop.