J. Cole has talked openly about the Hip Hop icons who motivated him to strive for excellence and establish himself as a prominent figure in rap.
In a recent episode of Hart to Heart with Kevin Hart, Cole paid tribute to some of the game’s pioneers, including JAY-Z and 2Pac.
“I have a long list of people that inspire me and are the reason I am here. They are my north stars. Of course, Pac. Jay, Nas, André 3000, Lil Wayne, and Eminem. And obviously, these are the big bullets,” he continued.
“Royce the 5’9 moments,” I said. I experienced Canibus-like moments. I experienced Boom Boom moments. However, in terms of the individuals who encouraged my goal. That made me realize what was actually feasible. Those are the highest names, just as the ones I mentioned originally. So those were the individuals to whom I said, “Yo, I’m trying to get up there.” They provided the fuel in terms of talent and achievement.
These days, Cole is praising the new wave of female rap performers who, in his opinion, are producing some of the genre’s most thrilling moments.
“It’s a whole different ball game, like a whole different crop of young superstars and styles,” he continued. “I’ve been sensing this for maybe a year or two, and I truly do think like, man, it’s a lot of fire female rappers. I hate to say it because it almost sounds like pandering.
“I feel like they’re doing some of the most exciting [stuff], commercially — they’re giving us a lot of fire moments and I feel like that’s something that wasn’t around when we were growing up.”
You always had Lil Kim and Foxy [Brown], but it seemed like there could only ever be one of each. We’re getting moments now, man, moments now, moments now. It seems difficult to me.
Regarding his own work, J. Cole collaborated with his Dreamville bandmate Bas to lend a hand on the slick “Passport Bros” earlier in July.