Rap-Up.com || Jay-Z Declares J. Cole’s Album a ‘Classic’

Jay-Z has spoken. The hip-hop tycoon has given his stamp of approval to J. Cole’s debut album, calling it a “classic.”

Jay’s protégé had the daunting task of playing the album for his Roc Nation boss. “When I played him the album, I could gauge his response not on what he said, but what his vibe was,” Cole exclusively tells Rap-Up.com. “I linked up with [Roc Nation executive] Rich Kleiman and he said he was with Jay-Z later that night. Out of nowhere, Jay said, ‘So Cole got a classic. That motherfucker.’”

As of last Friday, the album was 99 percent done. “I still have to finish up interludes, tweaking mixes, and features that I’m trying to make happen.”

One of those potential features is his mentor, though Cole isn’t stressing if schedules don’t permit half of The Throne to be on the album. “We’ll see. It’s very possible that he might not be on it. I feel like it’s dope as hell though,” he shares.

“The whole world knows that J. Cole is waiting on a Jay-Z verse, but if it don’t happen, it don’t happen. But how ill is it that the album is called The Sideline Story, which is a metaphor for me trying to get off the bench, and I’m waiting for the nod from the coach?”

After hearing Watch the Throne, the North Carolina MC was initially concerned about his own material, but it only inspired him more. “When I first heard the album, I was like, ‘Damn, they really gonna put this out seven weeks before my album?’” says Cole, who singled out “New Day” and “Gotta Have It” as his two standout tracks off Throne. “I got a little nervous, but it’s also motivation and pushes me further.”

Find out why Cole World: The Sideline Story is deserving of Jay-Z’s praise when it arrives on September 27, featuring the singles “Work Out” and “Can’t Get Enough” with Trey Songz.

–Reporting by Jason Newman

Posted in J. Cole, Jay-Z | Permalink

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28 Comments

TAYBABY
August 17th, 2011 at 7:36 am
COLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE WOLRDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!! Best new lyrical rapper out, well out to the mainstream world! I can NOT wait til’ Sept. 27th!!!!!!

[Reply]
ColeWorld
August 17th, 2011 at 7:44 am
Yessssssssssss Cole World!!!…southsiiide, westside..can’t get enough, can’t get enough :DD

[Reply]
K1llm4tic
August 17th, 2011 at 8:14 am
As if I wasn’t convinced enough alredy.

[Reply]
ImmaDoIt
August 17th, 2011 at 8:17 am
COLE WORLD!

I know this album is going to be something for the books. His talent speaks for itself. I hope Jay comes through with that verse, and like Cole said, even if he doesn’t, the album will still be greatness. I can’t wait to pick it up next month.

[Reply]
TAYBABY Reply:
August 17th, 2011 at 8:17 am
@ImmaDoIt, agree :)

[Reply]
It's Game Time
August 17th, 2011 at 8:29 am
I’m sure the Album will be dope. But what else shoud Jay-Z say?

[Reply]
??? Reply:
August 18th, 2011 at 9:16 pm
@It’s Game Time, I know right

media makes news out of everything

[Reply]
WatchTheThrone
August 17th, 2011 at 8:29 am
cuz i only make classics
now what that take? timin
cole under pressure
what that make? DIAMONDS
can’t wait!!!

[Reply]
I'mInYaWindow Reply:
August 17th, 2011 at 10:27 am
@WatchTheThrone,
Yayer!

[Reply]
Lisa
August 17th, 2011 at 8:35 am
We’ll see. It sounds good!

[Reply]
DRB
August 17th, 2011 at 8:54 am
He got nervous? Please, I’m already over that vanity project. His last mixtape is better than most albums.

[Reply]
illerbrown
August 17th, 2011 at 9:08 am
im jumping like a lil kid #smh just imagine what i’ll be doing when it drops… someone will be slapped when i walk in the shop asking where is the “Cole World: The Sideline Story” taking bout we don’t have it but i can see drake’s album there in the background -______-

[Reply]
listen
August 17th, 2011 at 9:20 am
why would jay be so hesitant to hop on the album if it’s one of his first signees? also, why couldn’t jay tell him that personally (even if he realized it later, he could have sent a text, email, something more personal to communicate that thought). these are just observations that let me know that things aren’t what they seem. good luck Cole.

[Reply]
ughreally
August 17th, 2011 at 9:20 am
I can’t wait to buy his album

[Reply]
Jay-Z Calls J. Cole’s Album A Classic « Hip-Hop Wired
August 17th, 2011 at 9:28 am
[...] to reports from Rap-Up.com, Jay-Z has already declared J. Cole's debut album to be a Hip-Hop [...]
#coleworld
August 17th, 2011 at 10:12 am
can’t wait…i know its gonna be dope i just hope he have some good ass first week sales

[Reply]
I'mInYaWindow
August 17th, 2011 at 10:48 am
I can’t wait! Cole World!

[Reply]
Real Issh
August 17th, 2011 at 1:27 pm
I can’t wait !

[Reply]
Triniti
August 17th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Cole World, real Cole World/Them boys cool, Cole, he’s on fire :) #TeamNC

[Reply]
Jay-Z Calls J. Cole’s Debut Album A Classic. Cole Announces Tour Dates « Neffworking
August 17th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
[...] recently spoke with Rap-Up to give his take about the [...]
STFU
August 17th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
i’ll be the judge of that Hov

[Reply]
Kristine
August 17th, 2011 at 6:21 pm
“I’m sorry junior, I already ruined ya.”

[Reply]
vax
August 18th, 2011 at 3:38 am
Ofcuz Jayz will say that its called marketing.Cole had to deal with alot b4 this album drops that kind of pressure will help him in the long run.Girls love cole niggas love cole hes raps are unquestionable..He is currently on a world tour aswell aww shit who dat who dat real rap

[Reply]
Fan Of A Fan
August 18th, 2011 at 6:04 pm
his album better be a fuckin classic
cos right now i only like 1 song from him.

*and let the war begin*

[Reply]
???
August 18th, 2011 at 9:18 pm
well I dont understand. If I picked a dude to represent my label, I will be on his project, helping give it a push. Why not. What is there to lose. Jay spits off top so why is it so time consuming.

[Reply]
francis
August 19th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
trust me, cole will kill it with or without the hov verse.
STUPIDLY EXCITED FOR THIS ALBUM!

[Reply]
Jay-Z Calls J. Cole's Album "Cole World" The Sideline Story A Classic |
October 27th, 2011 at 7:26 pm
[...] recently spoke with Rap-Up to give his take about the [...]