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If you haven’t been living under a rock, then you’re familiar with the news that J.Cole released his sophomore album “Born Sinner” today. While I’m sure most of you are aware of the North Carolina native’s amazing lyricism and his ability to produce both club bangers and sexy slow jams, few know the real Jermaine Cole–the St. John’s graduate who was raised by a single mother in the small town of Fayetteville, North Carolina. J.Cole is able to strip himself down beyond his rapper persona and relate to his fans. And, that’s one of the reasons that make his lyrics stand out amongst some of the cliché hip-hop artists that we have in the industry today. If you’re not a fan yet, let us give you five reasons why we love this Roc Nation artist.

MUST READ: ‘Born Sinner’ Album Listening: J. Cole Makes Me Believe In Music Again!

He’s Just Like Us!

Unlike your stereotypical “street” rapper, J. Cole is just like us! He attended St. John’s University in New York City and graduated Magna Cum Laude. If you listen closely, you’ll often hear Cole talk about college life in some of his songs and he’s even been known to speak on the infamous Sallie Mae every now and then (a name most of us know all too well). Not only can we relate to J.Cole’s college years, but the struggle that he endured to “make it” in the music industry brings him even more down to earth. Cole is not afraid to let his fans into his personal life, his depression phase and his struggle to find happiness. On his new album, he talks about how many times he was told “no” before he made it to the top and the disappointment he felt within himself when he “Let Nas Down.”

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