2009, I was in ninth grade. I wore skinny jeans, Hollister shirts, and had to watch 106 & Park every day! That was also the year I was introduced to a rapper from North Carolina. Got signed by Jay-Z at an early age, and went on to be hip-hop favorite years later. I'm talking about J.Cole. Just recently the rapper celebrated his 34^th birthday. This is also making a time where he's going to start releasing more music. Are we excited? Hell Yeah! But J.Cole's one of those artists that you just can't forget the first time you fell in love with them.

I was watching an episode of 106 & Park, I remember this because it was right before the episode was ending. It was a video premiere for his song 'Who Dat'. The video production itself amazed me, but it was the overall lyricism that caught my attention. This is how I continued to gain love for Cole. The previous years his mixtape 'The Warm Up' was out. The following year the mixtape 'Friday Night Lights' was out and I couldn't download! From start to finish I was wearing that whole mixtape out playing it back to back. 'The Sideline Story' was released in 2011 and Cole instantly took off for mainstream success. But not as big as he was yet, considering that he was going to open up for Drake's 'Club Paradise' tour in 2012. A tour that I was fortunate to attend and see Cole for the first time on the stage. While some around me were not quite sure who he was yet, trust me they were going to within the next couple of years. Followed by other albums and mixtapes such as 'Yours Truly', and 'Born Sinner'. However, 2014 Forrest Hills Drive became the ultimate staple in Cole's career. An album that included zero features from other artists became one of the biggest albums in hip-hop of 2014 and '15 alone. What a time to witness that era. But we just simply could not wait any longer. When more Cole was demanded, we got it. '4 Your Eyes Only' and 'KOD' were responses to just that. We wanted our Cole and we wanted him NOW! Not saying we're asking for much, but we just couldn't get enough.

So just to think that his career has expanded this long doesn't surprise me at all, but I'm just happy that it has gotten as far as it did. There is nothing better than seeing someone come up so big when they were so small. Back in 9^th grade, I was always hoping that Cole would cross over the mainstream respectfully, but it's in a way that is not so typical. The man does not need to write verses about cars, women, and the glamorous life to be successful. Just by simply speaking about facts is all he needs. But more importantly, it is what this generation really could use right about now. I will promise that as the years go on, I will continue to support this man and his art under every aspect. Oh, and I forgot to mention what other rapper do you know that does show for ONE DOLLAR?! That's all I can say.