Hip-Hop Wired » J. Cole

The Commission Debates - "Who Is Hip-Hop's Next Great MC?" [Video]

The Kid Skoob — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:22:24 +0000

Hip-Hop Wired presents a new 4-part series entitled, The Commission. The name derives from the Hip-Hop super-group that never came to fruition, which consisted of The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, & Charli Baltimore. The group was designed around two of the Greatest MC's of All-Time, which would have represented Hip-Hop at the highest levels possible. The aim of Hip-Hop Wired's Commission is to essentially bring you opinions from some of the most respected names and brands within Hip-Hop culture.

This four part series will examine the following subjects:

"Who is Hip-Hop's Next Great MC?"

"Who is the Best Camp in the Game?"

"Has Social Media Killed the Diss Record?"

"Has Hip-Hop Lost some of its Masculinity/Is Gangster Rap Dead?"

The Panelists:

Skoob - Sr. Editor at Hip-Hop Wired, Co-Host of Hip-Hop Unplugged & Music Junkies, has also worked for MTV & VH1 Networks

Alvin "Aqua" Blanco - Deputy Editor at Hip-Hop Wired, Contributed to XXL, Vibe, The Source and former Editor at AllHipHop.com

Kazeem "Kaz" Famuyide - Editor at The Source Magazine & Co-founder of RLE

Austin Miller - Music Producer, #Earned Instrumental Mixtape coming soon, Digital Marketer at ICED Media

Ice - A&R of The Streets

Eb The Celeb - Digital Content Producer that has worked for BET & Sirius/XM Satellite Radio, Digital Content Manager for Ne-Yo's Compound Entertainment

Rahim Wright - Morning Show Producer at Clear Channel Network & Digital Publicist

Melanie Sims - Music Writer & Producer for ABC Radio, Written for Assoc. Press, Vibe & Essence Magazine

Contributing Panelists Opinions

Eb The Celeb

My vote is for Big K.R.I.T. I feel lyrically, with his story telling, charisma, humility and the fact that he comes off as a really good dude that he has the potential to be around for a long time. I don't necessarily feel his debut will be this huge commercial hit (similar to T.I.'s I'm Serious), but the career that T.I. has had since then, I feel emulates what Krit's will blossom in to. He also makes his own beats, which also favor his longevity.

Melanie Sims

Kendrick Lamar for $1000, Alex. At this very moment, somebody's enjoying that "Buried Alive" interlude from Drake's Take Care, and they have no clue that they're listening to Kendrick Lamar. He's underground famous -- not famous famous -- which is unfortunate since the masses could benefit from adding a little O(verly) D(edicated) or Section.80 to their iTunes library. Kendrick also seems to have more heart than he has ego. There's a rawness and thoughtfulness to his lyrics that the game could always use more of. Please see: "Ignorance is Bliss," "Keisha's Song (Her Pain)"...

Ten Rappers Killed On Twitter

Latifah Muhammad — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:24:59 +0000

Even if you're crafty at navigating through the perils of social media, Twitter can still be a gift and a curse. Hip-Hop artists use the site to communicate with fans, promote new projects or post senseless Twitpics. The aforementioned "marketing tactics" can be mildly appealing, but every once in a while, keeping up with Twitter goes terribly wrong. Before they know it, Hip-Hop's heavyweights end up dead in the online world, and all it takes is a simple #RIP hashtag to send someone to their Twitter grave.

Soulja Boy recently became the latest rapper to be hit with Twitter death rumors, and as it turns out he's in great company. Everyone from Drake to Eminem, has fallen victim to fake death stories. Peep our list of 10 Rappers Killed On Twitter.

Click the #'s below to see whose deaths were great exaggerated.

J. Cole Speaks On Grammy Nomination [Video]

The Kid Skoob — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:50:19 +0000

As we get closer to the airing of the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, Roc Nation rapper J.Cole spoke with the Associated Press about what his Best New Artist nomination has meant to him. Cole expressed his gratitude by saying, "It's an honor to even be on that list...Nicki's [Minaj] on that list, and to have two hip-hop artists on that list says a lot about hip-hop right now."

While grateful for the opportunity to attain such an achievement, Cole insists he's still hungry for more. "I'm grateful for everything that's happened, but I'm not satisfied. These are all accomplishments from the work I've put in last year, and the last 2-3 years...they're reminders of the work that I've done in the past, and I'm already on to the next move. That's my mind-state."

In addition to attaining platinum status for his single, "Work Out," Cole saw his debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story, reach gold status as well. While these are great achievements for the young star, they are things he's planned; like ensuring that his debut would hit the shelves prior to the Grammy deadline. "I was telling the management and the label, that I had to beat the Grammy deadline. If you look at the date, my album came out two days before the Grammy deadline, and that's because I knew I had a shot."

The 54th Annual Grammy Awards will air Feb. 12th at 8pm.

360 - "What Goes Up" (Prod. by J.Cole) [Listen/Download]

The Kid Skoob — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:17:51 +0000

During Cole's 'Road to the Grammy's' we saw that he had gotten right back to work. A video had leaked, featuring him and Queens rapper, 360, in the studio working on new music. "What Goes Up," is the direct result of that studio session.

Listen and download below.

Download Here

Trae The Truth ft. B.O.B., J.Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Jadakiss, Big K.R.I.T., Bun B.& A Lot More - "I'm On 2.0" [Listen/Download]

The Kid Skoob — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:58:51 +0000

Trae The Truth enlists the aide of some of Hip-Hop's most prolific MC's. Jadakiss, Kendrick Lamar, J.Cole, B.O.B., Big K.R.I.T., Bun B, Tyga, Gudda Gudda & Mark Morrison, are all along for the ride, as we get a remix to Trae's "I'm On."

None of these artists disappoint on this remix.

Download Here

Reek Da Villan - "Can't Get Enough" [Video]

Michael Ice-Blue Harris — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:15:28 +0000

Busta Rhymes' artist Reek Da Villan takes a stab at J. Cole and Trey Songz "Can't Get Enough" with his latest visual. I guess this is what the game has come to now.... making videos to other artists' hits. Well, if you can't beat them, join them.

What y'all think of Reek's version?

J. Cole - 'Road To The Grammy's' [Video]

The Kid Skoob — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:40:21 +0000

The 54th Annual Grammy Awards areright around the corner. As we saw Nicki Minaj share her story, we have J.Cole, who is also up for Best New Artist, do the same. While the road to this point for Cole wasn't easy, he's achieved levels of success that not many artists can even imagine. Here we get a little insight on what this journey has been like for the North Carolina MC. From being dissed by Jay-Z, to finally seeing his dream begin to take shape.

Cole continued to stay on his grind while in New York. After performing at the 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon' show, Young Simba jumped right back into the studio. In the video we also see the Roc Nation Star work on some new music for Queens MC, 360.

Watch the young Hip-Hop prodigy go to work.

J. Cole ft. The Roots – "Can't Get Enough" (Live on Fallon) [Video]

The Kid Skoob — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:58:19 +0000

Grammy Nominee and Roc Nation star, J.Cole, hit the stage of the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon show to perform "Can't Get Enough" from his debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story.

Check his performance, and be sure to tune in to the Grammy's Feb. 12th where Cole is up for an award in the Best New Artist category.

21221136 by YardieGoals

J. Cole Celebrates 27th Birthday At Webster Hall In NYC, Performs [Video]

Alvin aqua Blanco — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:31:36 +0000

J. Cole hit NYC's Webster Hall to celebrate his 27th birthday. The grown Simba's born day didn't make him take any time off. In the videos below we see the Roc Nation rapper perform "Can't Get Enough," "In The Morning" and "Work Out."

Did the DJ not have the instrumentals, though?

"In The Morning"

"Work Out"

J.Cole – Cole World: The Sideline Story LP Commentary Ep. 2 & 3 [Video]

The Kid Skoob — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:20:18 +0000

Roc Nation's young star, J.Cole, continues his web series with Muve Music, Cole World: The Sideline Story LP Commentary. Cole breaks down the stories behind each record, the thought process that went into the album as a whole, and how he got to the point he is at today. In addition to album insight, he also touches on his relationship with Jay-Z, and his critics.