Rap-Up.com || J. Cole Returns to High School for Dreamville Weekend

J. Cole has been to the Grammys and performed at Madison Square Garden, but he returned to where it all began on Thursday. The 27-year-old rapper was back home in Fayetteville, North Carolina, for the inaugural Dreamville Weekend, named after the label he started in his college bedroom.

The Grammy-nominated Cole was honored by Cumberland County Commissioner Charles Evans, who proclaimed March 1, 2012, as “J. Cole Day.” He spoke with students at E.E. Smith High School and his almar matter Terry Sanford, where he once played basketball.

“The world is much bigger than Fort Bragg Road; I want you all to go grab your dreams,” Cole encouraged his young fans who packed the gym to get a glimpse of the hometown star. “I don’t get to come back as often as I used to, so when I do I really got to take advantage of it.”

As part of Dreamville Weekend, the hip-hop role model wants to give back to his community. “We feel like we didn’t have a lot of opportunities or a lot of people to look up to,” he told the Fayetteville Observer. “I feel like it’s important to show them that there’s a bigger world out there.”

The “Work Out” MC answered questions and shared the rewards of his hard work. “I paid all of my bills,” said Cole, who released the song “Visionz of Home” in honor of the occasion. “I’m not rich enough yet, but I want to take care of my mom; I don’t want her to work anymore.”

Photo credit: Raul R. Rubiera/Fayetteville Observer

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14 Comments

antsme
March 2nd, 2012 at 6:14 am
Fayetteville!!!!!!!!!!! J. Cole put Fayetteville on the map! Congrats!

[Reply]
Tiffany
March 2nd, 2012 at 6:23 am
Anyone else think the man in the first picture looks like Lexington Steele? ….just me

[Reply]
China Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 6:50 am
@Tiffany, Haha… This had me in stiches. Its true though, I didn’t notice him with clothes on!

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CHUCK NORRIS Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 6:59 am
@Tiffany, LMFAO!!!

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RealIssh Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 12:56 pm
@Tiffany, Lmaoooo – I feel nasty by knowing who you’re talking about !

[Reply]
flawda
March 2nd, 2012 at 6:53 am
LOL at Tiffany, you know your porn don’t you.

[Reply]
My Guy
March 2nd, 2012 at 7:21 am
FayettNAM, Dreamville, Cole World

[Reply]
Triniti
March 2nd, 2012 at 8:14 am
Love….#ColeWorld

[Reply]
World Music News » Blog Archive » J. Cole Returns To North Carolina For ‘Dreamville Weekend’
March 2nd, 2012 at 8:37 am
[...] 1) to kick off a three-day celebration titled “Dreamville Weekend,” in his honor. Cole paid a special visit to his old high school, Terry Standford High, where he grew up playing basketball. He will also be hosting a dinner [...]
J. Cole Returns To North Carolina For ‘Dreamville Weekend’ | | DJ VENOM NYC.com  - Entertainment News, Music, Videos, Events & More!DJ VENOM NYC.com  – Entertainment News, Music, Videos, Events & More!
March 2nd, 2012 at 8:46 am
[...] 1) to flog off a three-day jubilee patrician “Dreamville Weekend,” in his honor. Cole paid a special revisit to his aged high school, Terry Standford High, where he grew adult personification basketball. He will also be hosting a [...]
atrck MAunz
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:52 pm
is he a singer or a rapper

[Reply]
diamond
March 2nd, 2012 at 6:52 pm
this is awesome. i’m glad he is encouraging his fans and people in his hometown to go for their dreams. this is a good look.

next year I hope he wins a grammy. His debut was classic, in my opinion. but what can you do?

[Reply]
Dear Rap Up… | This Is TJO
March 2nd, 2012 at 10:07 pm
[...] for always being the first to post the good stuff, like this. Mr. Charles Evans, I don’t disagree with your decision. In fact, maybe you should have a [...]
ColeWorld
March 4th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
Snag your sick J. Cole gear, shirts and hoodies at (dreamsuniversity com) use promo code COLEWORLD for 30% off!

[Reply]