J. Cole Announces 4 Your Eyez Only Tour Dates

George Pimentel/Getty Images

J. Cole is hitting the road this year for his upcoming 4 Your Eyez Only tour, announcing 57 dates for the fans!

The tour kicks off on June 1 in Columbia, SC at The Musix Farm as Cole hits 13 more intimate spots before hitting arenas across North America and overseas through December. Literally half the year on the road...on the grind!

Check out the full list of tour dates below!

NEW MUSIC: "High For Hours" - J. Cole

Getty

Rapper J. Cole, whose album, 4 Your Eyez Only, recently went gold, dropped a new track, "High For Hours," out of nowhere that sounds like it could've fit on the album also!

T.I. Signs New Distribution Deal with Roc Nation, Becomes Newest Co-Owner of Tidal

Looks like the King of the South, T.I. has a new label home with Roc Nation, at least for the distribution of his next album, The Dime Trap!

According to Billboard,  yesterday, February 22, right before his Tidal show in Atlanta, T.I. announced that he has not only signed a distribution deal for his next album but is now a co-owner of Tidal as well!

MUSIC VIDEO: "No Sleeep"-Janet Jackson feat. J. Cole

Janet Jackson, aka "Ms. Jackson If You Nasty," just released her video for “No Sleeep” featuring J. Cole! Look out for her album "Unbreakable" to drop sometime in September.

Check out the video below!

NEW MUSIC: "Black Heaven"-Boosie Badazz Feat. J. Cole & Keyshia Cole

Boosie Badazz is about to release his comeback LP Touch Down 2 Cause Hell a week away from today, so he decides to drop one of the most talked about songs "Black Heaven" in anticipation. He connects with Keyshia Cole and J. Cole on the soulful track. Check it out below and cop his new album when it drops next week!

ALBUM REVIEW: 2014 Forest Hills Drive-J.Cole

I've never done too many hip hop reviews for Spotlight or any of the websites I've written for honestly. The last one I remember doing for a mainstream artist was my review of Wale's sophomore album Ambition back in 2011...and that was for a music writing class my senior year at Loyola (*laughs*).

However, I'm trying to do more music and movie reviews, and it starts with the albums that I'm actually buying, which includes J. Cole's junior album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive. Cole did something different this time around by deciding not to collaborate with anyone or drop any singles, just giving his listeners a release date of December 9th, an order link on iTunes, and a video for his Intro as he rides his bike through NYC. Now the album is here, and the reviews are mostly pretty good!

What I respect about Cole is that he is really is about his music. Sure, every artist is somewhat driven by sales, but some artists take it too far releasing terrible content with a catchy hook that the audience is sure to dance to (*insert whoever's name here*). To me, Cole isn't like that. He carefully crafts his lyrics, which, as a listener, I love, because he is one of very few rappers who makes me think (as a blogger, I get annoyed when I can't get it, because I'm trying to write a damn review here!). Throughout the album, Cole literally takes listeners on a journey through his younger years until now, and you really get a feel for who he is as Jermaine and not just J. Cole. 

Check out my song by song review below!

"Party"-Beyoncé feat. J. Cole (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

The always amazing Beyoncé dropped her video for "Party" last night. I was going to watch it on 106 & Park, and post it last night, but honestly, I was so tired yesterday, I completely forgot. My roommate reminded me right as I was going to sleep. I think I'll take another moment to say, "I'm SOOOOO over school!" Shoutout to my college students, and fellow seniors in the Class of 2012. We're gonna make it yall!

Anywho, the video was really cool. It was shot in a trailer park, with Bey all glammed up with friends partying it up, having a good time. J. Cole looked great too. There were even cameos from Bey's little sister Solange and Kelly Rowland. Check out the video after the jump!

CONCERTS: J.Cole's Cole World...World Tour Hits Baltimore!

Was supposed to put this yesterday, but was a little preoccupied. Anywho, here's some pics and video for the J. Cole concert at Baltimore Soundstage from Thursday night! Absolutely amazing! J. Cole is definitely on my list of artists to interview. Mainly because I was so impressed by his artistry and humility.

Oh, and shout out to the groupies too pressed to touch him that were knocking me around left and right (that's why my camera goes so crazy throughout!). Told my friend I wish concerts were like back in the 60's/70s were people actually just danced and enjoyed the music, rather than being obsessed with touching people! But I had an amazing time regardless! Video and pics after the jump!

Cole World: A Sideline Story (Album Cover + Video)

J. Cole has officially released the album cover to his upcoming album Cole World: A Sideline Story , which he shared with Rap-Up TV, and talked with them about his inspiration behind the name.

“I actually wanted to do Cole World for the second album title, but by the time people started suggesting it, it just kinda went all the way out the window,” he told them. “When I came up with an album title that I actually liked, it was The Sideline Story. But it felt incomplete. I felt like, ‘Oh man, let’s make it a series and make Cole World the Star Wars [with sub-titles].’ Cole World is something that my fans recognize and they love and I love it too.”

Too, TOO excited for his album! There's not too many rappers out here that I listen to past singles, so I'm really excited that he's finally coming out with his first album! Cole World drops September 27. Check out previews of Cole's new music from the album in a new webisode, part of his Any Given Sunday series.

"Work Out"-J. Cole (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Here is the official video to "Work Out" from J. Cole, his first official single from his upcoming album, Cole World: A Sideline Story! The song features a sample from Kanye West's "The New Workout Plan," as well as some lines from Paula Abdul's 80's song, "Straight Up." It's a cool song. Not my favorite by him, but it's a good vibe song.

Links to the video have been changing up all day, but here is the real one! Check out "Work Out" below!




Cole World: The Sideline Story is set to be released September 27! And I will be in the building to see Cole on October 20 at the new Baltimore Soundstage!!! Too excited....I have a new camera in the mail, so pics and videos definitely to come!

"Bad Girls' Club"-Wale feat. J. Cole (Full Song)

So Wale released a snippet of his song "Bad Girls' Club" featuring J. Cole, a few days back. He just released the full song a little while ago. LOVE. But then again, I'm biased because I'm in love with Wale haha. But this track is hot, the beat is sick. This is for the bad girls doing their thing...what up?! Check out the full song below!





Wale - "Bad Girls Club" feat. J. Cole by RalphFolarin

Oh and btw...contrary to recent reports this is NOT Wale's lead single.

PEACE.

"Bad Girls' Club"-Wale feat. J. Cole (Snippet)

Can I just have a moment and freak out over this collaboration with Wale and J. Cole?! One, because I just love them both. Especially Wale! *infatuated sigh* And two, because I am excited to finally hear something from  Wale's second album, which is supposed to come out later this year. Self Made with Rick Ross and Maybach is great, but I'm looking forward to hearing the material that Wale himself is putting out. A  lot of people want to see how his signing to Maybach will influence his music, his singles, and sales. I know I am.

Definitely excited about this 30-snippet of Wale's expected first single "Bad Girls' Club," featuring J. Cole! It's a  hot track from what I hear. I like the beat a lot. Can't wait to hear the full version! The full song is to be released July 19th and apparently a video has already been shot! Check the snippet below!










PEACE.