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Upstart emcee J. Cole gets boost from Jay-Z

Published online on Thursday, Nov. 05, 2009

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Only three rappers got a guest verse on Jay-Z's recent "Blueprint 3" album.

One is fellow hip-hop superstar Kanye West. Another is Southern rap king Young Jeezy. The third is upstart emcee J. Cole, who most people had never heard before he rapped with Jay-Z on "A Star is Born."

Savvy listeners recognize the song as Jay-Z passing the torch to J. Cole, who was the first signee to his Roc Nation label and is Jay-Z's latest protege.

J. Cole joins fellow rap rookie Wale and rock/funk band N.E.R.D. as an opening act on Jay-Z's tour stop Saturday night at Save Mart Center. We talked to Cole about the tour, the pressure that goes along with being Jay-Z's protege and the future of hip-hop.

Question: What's the tour been like for you so far?

Answer: It's been an incredible experience, a blessing. It's just a learning experience really. I get to open up in front of thousands of people who don't really know me and get a chance to win them over every night. To top it all off, the best part is that I get to come out with Jay and do my verse on "A Star is Born."

Since you're there every night, what can you tell us about what to expect from the show as a whole?

It's a unique show. I can't remember a tour with this kind of lineup with new talent and also a legend like Jay, plus N.E.R.D. and the energy they bring. If you get there early, you get to see my set. It's short and sweet, but I fill it with a lot of energy. And Jay's set, anybody who's never been to a Jay show, they're in for a treat. It's nonstop, an hour and a half of hits and classics.

How big was it for you to get a spot on "The Blueprint 3?"

I don't even know how to put it into words. I don't think I've even soaked it up and grasped it yet. All I know is that it's a blessing just to be able to reach that many ears, even if it's only for a verse.

What kind of pressure comes with being signed by Jay-Z and becoming his protege?

It's a good pressure. I don't sit around and worry at all. I sit around and plot and scheme and strategize. It's all about how you react to the pressure. You can either fold and let it get the best of you, or you can react positively to it.

On the other side of that: What have you learned from Jay-Z?

I understand the importance of a hit more. Before I was just a real purist. I just had this real underground mentality. As if my album had to get slept on to be a classic. Being on this tour, being on the road, just seeing how Jay operates, I've learned it doesn't have to be like that. You can have a classic and you can have hits from the classic. It's possible.

There has been a strong crop of new hip-hop artists over the past couple years. People like Wale, Kid Cudi and Drake. Do you feel good about where hip-hop is headed?

I do. I feel like all these young cats are talented and they're all bringing something new to the table. There are a lot of genuine artists. There's a lot more authenticity in the music. One thing I do worry about is who's going to last? There are some guys I want to win and I hope they win. It's a nasty business. If you don't come out and do numbers, they almost don't want to give you a second chance.