J. Cole will be looking his best when he heads to the Grammys next weekend. The Roc Nation rapper, who will compete for Best New Artist against Nicki Minaj, The Band Perry, Bon Iver, and Skrillex, spoke to USA Today about his nomination for his debut Cole World: The Sideline Story, and where he was when he first received the good news.

“I’m very happy just to be nominated. If I don’t win, it’s OK,” said a humble Cole. “Now don’t get me wrong, I would love to win.”

He already has his outfit picked out. “I’m going to be looking very nice in a good suit,” he said. “I’m going to bring my family and friends and celebrate. I don’t know how likely it is that I’ll win, but I’ve learned that anything is possible.”

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J. Cole and Nicki Minaj will compete for Best New Artist at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards on February 12. The superstar rappers shared their journey to the Grammys in a video series presented by Pepsi and Pandora.

Before the “Work Out” MC was signed to Roc Nation, he was a college kid trying to get his CD in Jay-Z’s hands. He describes moving to the big city and being rejected by Jay the first time they met.

“Being the first artist signed to Roc Nation, there’s a lot of pressure that rides on it, a lot of expectations,” said the North Carolina native. “That’s how I work, I work off motivation. I’m about to really kill the game ’cause I’m prepared.”

Four-time nominee Nicki, who will perform at this year’s show, is just happy to be nominated. “I’m not going to be nervous about winning ’cause I really don’t think I’m gonna win anything,” said the pink-haired diva. “I know eventually in my career I’m gonna have Grammys. This year is just about being nominated and feeling grateful.”

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With the Grammys less than two weeks away, Best New Artist nominee J. Cole hit up “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” on Tuesday. Sporting a Black Apple denim/leather jacket and backwards fitted cap, the Roc Nation star joined The Roots to perform “Can’t Get Enough,” the second single off his debut Cole World: The Sideline Story. Next up, Cole will shoot a video with Missy Elliott for “Nobody’s Perfect.”

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J. Cole partied with New York City ahead of his 27th birthday tomorrow. The Roc Nation rapper joined friends and family at Webster Hall on Thursday night, treating fans to a special performance of his platinum single “Work Out.”

He addressed those who doubted the song, which peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. “When I put this shit out, I had ni**as very close to my circle doubting me and they didn’t know what this song was about, so six months later we platinum, gold album,” he told the cheering crowd.

The festivities continued after he exited the stage. “New York City, I love the shit out of ya’ll,” he said. “We still got a little bit of time left. Let’s get fucked up, let’s celebrate in this motherfucker.”

Cole is gearing up to shoot a video for “Nobody’s Perfect,” the third single off his debut Cole World: The Sideline Story. The Colin Tilley-directed clip will co-star Missy Elliott.

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After making major moves in 2011, J. Cole shows no signs of slowing down. According to Video Static, the breakout star will shoot a video for “Nobody’s Perfect,” the third single off his Roc Nation debut Cole World: The Sideline Story. The North Carolina native is teaming with director Colin Tilley (Chris Brown, Diddy-Dirty Money) for the clip, which will co-star his collaborator Missy Elliott.

Are you excited for the “Nobody’s Perfect” video? Let us know.

J. Cole welcomed 2012 in New York City’s Times Square by performing on MTV’s “NYE in NYC 2012.” Sporting a Kith x Pendleton varsity jacket, the Roc Nation rapper gave the stage a “Work Out” with his Cole World hit single as revelers danced along. Roc into the new year with J. Cole.

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The bottles will be popping and beats will be blaring as celebrities toast to the new year with celebrations across the country this weekend. Some will appear on television, while it will cost you a pretty penny to party with others like Chris Brown and Lauryn Hill at private events. From Las Vegas to New York City’s Times Square, find out where some of your favorite stars will be once the clock strikes midnight.

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Bei Maejor cooks up more “Trouble” on the remix to the first single off his forthcoming RCA Records debut. The singer-songwriter recruits Wale, Trey Songz, and T-Pain for the all-star remix, which features J. Cole’s original verse. During his appearance on “106 & Park,” the 24-year-old hinted that there would be an additional guest, but he’s missing from this version.

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The Grammy-nominated J. Cole hit up “The Late Show with David Letterman” to perform his hit single “Work Out” on Wednesday night. Dressed in a varsity jacket and Timbs, the Roc Nation MC—who recently wrapped his “Cole World” tour—delivered the No. 15 song in the country before Letterman presented him with a gift and wished him Merry Christmas. Put some Cole in your stocking this holiday season.

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