J.Cole plays Cola

Rising rap star J. Cole took time out of his busy schedule to have a few words with The Daily Gamecock over the phone prior to heading to Columbia for his concert performance.
Daily Gamecock: So what’s life been like since you signed with Jay-Z?
J. Cole: Super busy, man. Non-stop ... interviews, shows, studios, photo shoots ... it’s way different from what it was before.
DG: You’ve released two mix-tapes and are working on your first album; anything you can give away about how that album will complement your existing work?
JC: It’s gonna be an extension of what I already have out there. Content-wise and production-wise.
DG: Rap has certainly been one of the most successful genres of the past decade, but what do you feel you bring to the table that helped someone as famous as Jay-Z recognize you?
JC: I think I bring kind of a breath of fresh air ... I have a certain set of sensibilities, you know, a sense of where hip-hop is heading.
DG: What influences your music?
JC: Life in general. I know that’s generic, but that’s really what it is. It comes out of what’s around me, things that I go through. I just observe.
DG: Do you have a particular process for writing lyrics or do you just let it happen?
JC: Rarely do I have a situation where I know where I’m going. A lot of it has to do with the beat ... once that develops, it’s just about letting the lyrics flow out.
DG: Most rappers seem to give themselves very creative names. Your stage name derives from your actual name, Jermaine Cole. Any particular reason for that?
JC: The reason I wanted to keep it “J. Cole” is that a) that’s my name and b) that’s representative of me as an artist. I’m not a character. I’m a real person. My music is a reflection of that and I want the name to reflect who I am.
DG: Your MySpace.com page says you “bring promise of a new day in hip-hop music.” Elaborate on that.
JC: I want people to fall in love with the music. I hope some day lyrics will be important again. I hope authenticity will be important again. It became so much about cool for a while now, and I think I bring a hopeful light.
DG: You’re heading to join up with Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 tour later this week. Is this the first time you’ve toured with him?
JC: No, I did for a little while last year.
DG: How did that go?
JC: Great, you know, a great learning experiences. A lot of great performers. I definitely learned a lot.
DG: So in Columbia you’re part of a concert that features mash-up sensation Girl Talk. Do you think there’s any similarity to what you and he are doing with music, or is this just a totally random pairing?
JC: I’m actually totally unfamiliar with his work, I’m not gonna lie. What’s it like?
DG: Mash-ups and remixes.
JC: So he’s just throwing it all together?
DG: Yeah, pretty much.
JC: Well that’s cool, man ... I’m excited to see what it’s like.