Unexpectedly releasing a new EP via his Dream Villain blog, J. Cole gives fans some unreleased product to wet their tastebuds before the release of his highly anticipated sophomore project Born Sinner. Titled Truly Yours, the five-track project, which according to Cole is not to be considered a mixtape or even a preview of his upcoming album, contains music recorded at various stages during the North Carolina native’s career.
With her debut EP, titled Every Girl, released for free download at the tail end of 2011 building buzz towards the first album, New York singer Bridget Kelly recently got onto the phone with SoulCulture to share her musical inspirations [Mariah Carey - “She’s my all time favourite”] and the influences that drive her work ethic [“Jay Z gives 100% every show,” and re: Beyonce, “she doesn’t demand anything of anybody that she can’t do - and she is a superhero”], also discussing her approach to songwriting as a newbie and the role artist development plays at her label, Roc Nation; “that’s the driving force.”
Globetrotter, Cole hotter - even way out in London town.
As referenced in his recent single "Can't Get Enough", J. Cole is no stranger to London, having this past year performed as Drake and Tinie Tempah’s support acts in the capital. Currently on his first headline tour, Jermaine Lamarr Cole returns to London for four sold out shows (SoulCulture caught him on the second). And with Jay Z as a mentor, a lot is expected from the first Roc Nation signee. So much in fact that a fully packed Shepherd’s Bush Empire was waiting in throngs for J. Cole and his arrival onto the stage. The relatively small venue with its many overhanging balconies was fully brimming with overly excited individuals, all ready and willing to show the North Carolina hailing rapper just how welcome he is on this side of the water.
"... Mr Cole, you have arrived." Although this statement was made quite prematurely on his "Gladiators" collaborative effort with B.o.B in 2009, indeed now is the time for the North Carolina young gun to take his place on centre court. J. Cole - the self-christened Simba of Hip Hop - begins his first official steps to becoming a future king in the Hip Hop jungle.
From being a name touted in the underground to cutting his teeth on numerous mixtapes and collaborations, "light skinned Jermaine" now finds himself under the tutorship of the Michael Jordan of rap, JAY Z, who has already given Cole more than the co-sign which many would yearn for. Whilst the NBA lockout currently looks set to continue, it's game time for the 26 year old rookie as his first studio album Cole World: The Sideline Story plays out to a global audience. The question now remains as to whether Cole thrives under the spotlight or melts due to the pressure.
Disclaimer: Jay-Z stans will love this video, those who foolishly accuse him of being in the Illuminati... not so much.
Hip Hop mogul Shawn Corey Carter, better known to the world as Jay-Z, is the primary subject of a new book by author Zack O’Malley Greenburg entitled, Empire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went from Street Corner to Corner Office.
It's been a highly publicised turbulent year for Robyn 'Rihanna' Fenty, with her assault in February catapulting her into a strange place of sensationalised super stardom that even her mega-hit "Umbrella" didn't garner. But whilst she has been ever-present on blogs and gossip pages, she didn't utter a word on record and her silence transcended into music; we didn't hear so much as a leaked interlude until very recently.
Rihanna didn't talk until the promotional engine was in motion, leading many to regard Rated R as the aural response to her relationship with Chris Brown.