Jermaine Lamarr Cole (J. Cole), born 28 Jan 1985, is one of the most consistent hitmakers in modern hip-hop. All seven of his studio albums have topped the Billboard 200, a run few rappers can match, and he is the founder of Dreamville Records, one of the genre's most respected independent labels.
Early Life
J. Cole was born on 28 Jan 1985 in Frankfurt, West Germany, on a US military base, and was raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He built his name on the underground circuit with the mixtapes The Come Up (2007), The Warm Up (2009), and Friday Night Lights (2010), and signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation in 2009.
Career
His debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story (27 Sept 2011), entered the Billboard 200 at No. 1, setting the tone for a career built on consistency. 2014 Forest Hills Drive (2014), 4 Your Eyez Only (2016), KOD (2018), and The Off-Season (2021) followed, and all seven of his studio albums have topped the Billboard 200. He has won two Grammy Awards from 18 nominations: Best Rap Song in 2020 for "A Lot" with 21 Savage — fans can read the 21 Savage biography for more on his frequent collaborator — and Best Melodic Rap Performance in 2024 for "All My Life" with Lil Durk. Rising alongside peers like Drake — see the Drake biography for more on that era — he remains one of rap's most reliable album artists.
The Fall-Off and 2026 Tour
The Fall-Off (6 Feb 2026), released via Dreamville/Interscope and marketed as his final album, is a 24-track double album that moved 280,000 equivalent units in its first week, giving J. Cole his 7th Billboard 200 No. 1. The Fall-Off World Tour 2026 is his first solo headline tour in five years, with 50+ dates across the globe ending on Dec 12 at Johannesburg's FNB Stadium — for more on the London date, read J. Cole's Fall-Off tour hits London's O2, and check the Kendrick Lamar biography for more on hip-hop's biggest touring acts. According to reports, he submitted no music for consideration at the 2027 Grammys.
Personal Life
J. Cole is married to Melissa Heholt, and the couple have two sons. He keeps his family life largely out of the spotlight.
Watch the Official Video
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is J. Cole?
J. Cole is 41 years old, having been born on 28 Jan 1985.
What is J. Cole's real name?
His real name is Jermaine Lamarr Cole.
Is The Fall-Off his last album?
The Fall-Off (6 Feb 2026) was marketed as his final album, but J. Cole has not confirmed whether he will stop releasing music.
How many Grammys has J. Cole won?
He has won two Grammy Awards from 18 nominations — Best Rap Song in 2020 and Best Melodic Rap Performance in 2024.
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