Over the course of J. Cole’s career, we’ve seen a reluctance on his part to become what the industry has wanted him to become. In his own right, he’s transcended anything they could have possibly wanted from him. This sort of defiance is often seen from indie artists avoiding the pressure of conforming to mainstream standards -- standards that are often synonymous with success in the music industry.
Cole has always been an artist conscious of this internal struggle to remain true to self, even before the worldwide acclaim. Surrounding the release of “Work Out”, the single to his debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story, Cole began feeling the pressure that accompanies GOAT potential. In an interview with Fuse, J. Cole speaks on the pushback received for “Work Out”, notably from Nas, questioning Cole’s need to release such a radio-driven track when he doesn’t need to pander to the mainstream because he’s “the one”. Though as a new artist navigating the ropes of the industry, Cole’s naivety coupled with hunger only made him a more conscious student to the game. To grow we have to go through what appears to be failure, right? Nas’s comments lead to a moment of reflection for J.Cole, and in hindsight, early on in his career this was a very positive thing.
That moment was arguable a catalyst in J. Cole’s career. Following the release of his debut with his sophomore effort, Born Sinner, we see that J. Cole has an even stronger grip on the role he plays in Hip-hop, as well as on his own self and what he hopes to leave behind for those to follow.
In 2011 we saw a ambitious Cole seeking to remain consistent as seen by the quantity of his releases and guest features, but the tables now have turned -- leaving us begging for more content from Cole in any form. Hopefully we'll see the Kendrick collab we’ve all been praying to be more than a rumour.
As J. Cole’s list of features comes to a dwindling two as of last year, and two as this year nears its close, we’ve compiled our favorite Cole features throughout the years.
What are some of your favorite J. Cole features?
Jay Z f/ J. Cole “A Star Is Born”
Album: The Blueprint 3
Producer: No I.D., Ke’noe & Kanye West
For many this might have been an introduction to J.Cole as an artist, and no song is better fitting. As Jay Z goes through past artists whom he’s considered as influential, he allows Cole to end the verse on this song, figuratively passing off the baton to the future.
Quotable Lyrics:
And could I be a star?
Does fame in this game have to change who you are?
Or could I be the same one who came from a far away life”
Kanye West f/ Ft Pusha T, Big Sean, Cyhi The Prynce, J. Cole ”Looking for Trouble”
Album: G.O.O.D. Fridays
Producer: Kanye West
Though this track came to us as part of Kanye West’s weekly releases in support of his fifth studio album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, we also got this song as a bonus on J.Cole’s own Friday Night Lights, which, while billed as a mixtape, very much played like an album. The timing of this release and his end statement couldn’t have been better calculated. You get this sense of restlessness on J. Cole's part, as if after releasing two projects the hip-hop heads would herald him as the savior. It’s this same restlessness that allows each of Cole’s steps to be better than the last.
Quotable Lyrics:
I thought that real shit is what you been fiendin' ’bout
What you been praying fo’? What you been screamin' ’bout?
Ironic you been sleeping on the one that you been dreamin' ’bout”
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Donnie Trumpet and The Social Experiment f/ J. Cole & Noname “Warm Enough”
Album: Surf
Producer: The Social Experiment
Being one of the standout features on Donnie Trumpet and The Social Experiment’s collective project, J. Cole's story telling ability is at its best when challenged to convey his emotions within a single verse. As he’s forced to encapsulate a deeper moment within a 16, we gladly replay his verse over and over to take in the imagery of a fading relationship he's trying to save. However, he’s well aware of the cause to this disconnect. As a poet, writing his wrongs only seems fitting, especially alongside introspective artist Noname and Chance The Rapper; who went on to speak on Cole’s involvement in the project in an interview with DJ Semtex on BBC Radio 1Xtra. "The moment that we were working at Rick Rubin's studio and jam-banding, writing together -- he was there, in session with us, helping us out," he said. "That was something that happened really organically, and he wrote the shit out of his part."
Quotable Lyrics:
Good intentions 'cause I wanna see us both fly
But I often put me first and I been wonderin’ why
I know you probably think you’re blessed
To have a wonderful guy
And that’s the truth but at the same time a wonderful lie
Fabolous f/ J. Cole “Louis Vuitton”
Album: The Soul Tape 2
Producer: J. Cole
We can’t talk about J. Cole as an artist and fail to mention his skills as a producer as well. Over the years, we've seen J. Cole flex those abilities, flipping Marvin Gaye's jazzy “Poor Abbey Walsh,” we can’t help but long for the same musical ear Cole has for such gems. As a lyricist, Cole’s reminder of being true to one’s self and not getting swept in the glitter is something he hopes the listener soon internalizes.
Quotable Lyrics:
If I go broke, it won't matter
This stupid ass shit don't make me
I been poor, it won't break me
You're so caught up on material shit
Yo Gotti f/ J. Cole & Canei Finch “Cold Blood”
Album: I Am
Producer: Canei Finch
Much like J. Cole states in the intro to his verse, he doesn’t disappoint in painting a picture. When your pen game is as nice as Cole's, there is no debate on whether or not these experiences are first person accounts. While some artists are caught up on being as real as possible, Cole maintains a different lane. By remaining conscious of the world around him he is able to draw from these influences to craft and even greater reality within his lyrics, providing us with an outsider’s perspective we’re given the equivalent of a bird’s eye view.
Quotable Lyrics:
My niggas either join the Armed Forces or they corpses now
In God we trust, but it’s bucks that we worship now
Joey Bada$$ f/ J. Cole “Legendary”
Album: ALL AMERIKKKAN BADA$$
Producer: Statik Selektah
In an Interview with Ebro on Beats 1 Radio, Joey Bada$$ speaks on Cole returning the favor with this feature before closing up shop on guest appearances. Throughout the years, we’ve seen Cole challenge the understanding that one’s album should include features, especially when hoping to top the charts and amass a larger buzz. We’ve seen him go double platinum with no features on 2014 Forest Hills Drive. If this feature is truly the last Cole ever records, this moment is as the titles itself declares, legendary.
Quotable Lyrics:
How much does a man need? How much can he hoard before his greed?
How can a rich father teach humbleness to his seed?”
Cozz f/ J. Cole “Knock tha Hustle(Remix)”
Album: Cozz & Effect
Producer: Trauma Tone
Capturing J.Coles attention with the song “Dreams” off of Cozz & Effect, it was no surprise as to why Cole decided to sign Cozz to Dreamville. And with this being their first collaboration, we can’t help but wonder why Cole had to steal the light from Cozz like that, on his own track! But we’re sure this sort of competitiveness breads stronger MC’s, and if J.Cole still has his eye on the GOAT title he can’t let up, so we can’t knock the hustle.
Quotable Lyrics:
Make no mistake that we know the stake still
We hope to make over eight figures
Slim chances, but niggas bet against the odds
And who am I to criticize how you play your cards dawg
Wale f/ J. Cole “Beautiful Bliss”
Album: Attention Deficit
Producer: Dj Green Lantern & Mark Ronson
Whenever we see J. Cole and Wale on a song together it’s guaranteed to be a classic. This feature was one of Cole's first mainstream placements. With that being said, Cole had to make sure he spazzed on this track -- simply being Jay Z’s first signee to the Roc wasn’t going to be enough. We needed to see what Jay Z saw in him, as well as demonstrating the same potential each and every time he touches the mic. Sure enough, he’s proven this to us with each release since his signing.
Quotable Lyrics:
I'm definitely in a class of my own, at dinner with Hov
Hoping that he pass the baton, he just pass the Patron”
The Game f/ J. Cole & JSMN “Pray”
Album: Jesus Piece
Producer: Dre & Cool
When it comes to understanding the dynamic of relationships and translating both perspectives into lyrics, no artist does it better than J. Cole. His honesty is something to be respected when it comes to recalling his life experiences. We’re not given an image that’s overly glamorized but given moments of clarity. While this song resides on The Game’s Jesus Piece, we can’t help but get the vibe that this song features The Game, based on the production value. As The Game reveals in his Track-By-Track Billboard interview, the song itself was made with J. Cole in mind, so his influence on the sound of the track is something that can’t be ignored. The two rappers, along with JSMN, created a moment that needs to be taken in.
Quotable Lyrics:
Got a husband and kid, but I flirt, hope you do a little dirt
Cause I'm diggin' you still, that's real
But na you don't text back and deep down I respect that
Reflection Eternal f/ Jay Electronica, J. Cole & Mos Def “Just Begun”
Album: Revolutions Per Minute
Producer: Hi-Tek
A hidden gem strictly for all the Hip-Hop heads, it’s hard to come to a conclusion as to who had the best verse on this song. But one thing is for certain, even amidst artist of such high calibers we hear J. Cole holding his own.
But who do you think had the best verse?
Quotable Lyrics:
Niggas say they sick, but when they rock they don't sneeze
Like the nigga on the block waving his Glock but won't squeeze”