Can I make a million dollars off a Rap tune?

 

Cole at OVO Fest 2015

January 28th. Birthday of the self proclaimed God himself, J. Cole. September of 2011, Cole’s first studio album dropped and 15 seconds into track 15, I deemed him my favourite rapper at the time. Fast forward 5 years, Cole’s 31 today, and he still holds that title. If you’ve never listened the album or now what track I’m referring to, the link will be posted below. The exact lyrics were, “I just shed tears homie, now I ain’t too proud to admit it, seen my father for the first time in a minute, andwhen I say a minute I mean years man…” As a 15 year old listening at the time, who had just saw his father for the first time in a while the previous summer, this was mind blowing. How could someone relate to me in such a manner?

At the time, it was very refreshing to find a rapper who it felt their musicrelates to you. Almost like you had written the song yourself, word for word, bar for bar. It was crazy for me. That’s when I started my discography on Cole, went back to his music as far as The Come Up. Haven’t been disappointed in the least as of yet. He really is a special artist, one that I will tell my children about and pass the wisdom of Cole’s music to them one day.

From that time to now, 6 years have past since I listened my first Cole project, I own multiple copies of all 3 studio albums, a physical copy of Friday Night Lights and I’ve seen him live 6 times. Dollar & A Dream tour twice, free Mountain Dew Concert that was held in Toronto, Born Sinner tour and OVO Fest twice. His growth has been amazing to watch as these years have gone by. Proving the critics wrong, outselling the predicted numbers time and time again to now outselling arenas around the world. His music has a reach around the world like few artists these days and it’s been refreshing to see and most importantly, be apart of. He’s given new life and reanimated the game, not only as of right now, but for future artists as well.

Just about all my friends and family are now fans of Cole and I have no doubt he’ll continue to connect with more and more people every day through his music like he has with me and my friends. He’s more than just a rapper or an artist. He’s a good person. I watched the Homecoming documentary with my mom and she said she couldn’t imagine how proud your mom must be. We, as fans, are proud as well. Supporting someone who’s as real as you and actually connects with the fans, not only through the music but in everyday life as well is a blessing. Keep on doing what you’ve done throughout the years and the success won’t ever stop. I’m thankful for your music and to call you my favourite artist at the moment. Happy Birthday, legend.