J. Cole Cole World

Jay-Z apparently ignored several attempts from North Carolina rapper-producer J. Cole to reach out to the rapper-turned-businessman. But when Shawn Carter heard Cole's breakthrough single "Lights Please," everything changed drastically. Jigga immediately signed the young rapper to his Roc Nation imprint and even let him steal the show with a brief verse on The Blueprint 3's "A Star is Born." Cole World represents the highly anticipated debut from Cole, who increased his buzz with 2009's very solid The Warm Up mixtape and numerous other high profile cameos with Wale and Reflection Eternal. Cole is joined on his debut by frequent collaborator-producer Elite and others who remain unknown for now.

Abstract by Andrew Martin