FAYETTEVILLE Ffaces
amous 54 | Anniversary Issue • 2011 FROM
JERMAINE COLE ( J.Cole to his fans) has come a long way from his formative years in Fayetteville — only to return as one of our city's biggest fans.
When the hip-hop star was still a full-time Fayetteville resident, he was best known as an honor roll student and a basketball standout at Terry Sanford High School.
He went on to attend St. John's University in New York where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, while perfecting his lyrics, story-telling abilities and musical timing. His considerable talents caught the attention of none other than Jay-Z and Cole became the first artist signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation record label.
Proud of his hometown, Cole insisted that his first video be filmed right here in Fayetteville and filled the cast with dozens of locals. The song, "Who Dat", was released in 2009 and reached number 19 on Rap music charts and received widespread critical acclaim.
Cole's debut album "Cole World: The Sideline Story" was set to be released just as this issue went to print and is said to feature performances from artists like Trey Songz, Drake, Missy Elliot and Jay Z.
