ROC NATION’s newest artist RITA ORA talks about her music and how she got discovered.

There are a slew of new  rappers taking the game by storm as of late. First up, Canadian-import Drake knocked the proverbial ball right out of the album-sales-park, selling 462,989 copies of his much anticipated album in its first week. Who’s next to bat? We’re guessing hot new artist J. Cole. With the release of his new single “Who Dat,” Cole is using his underground buzz and his sizzling new video to catapult himself from the underground sector into rap’s upper echelons. Oh, you didn’t know? We’re about to put you onto this future GIANT.

Here are five interesting things you should know about J. Cole:

1.

Roots

J. Cole was born in Frankfurt, Germany, but was raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He is bi-racial having been born to a Black mother and a White father.

2.

Unorthodox

J.Cole decided to attend college in New York City in order to place himself at the apex of the city’s thriving music industry. He attended St. John’s University on an academic scholarship, majored in communication and minored in business. In a largely unorthadox move for a hip hop artist, Cole graduated magna cum laude. If you thought Kanye’s “college dropout” steez was hot, then college graduate is definitely the new black.

3.

Flagship Artist

Cole is the first artist signed to Jay-Z’s label, Roc Nation. A major accomplishment indeed.

4.

Big Backing

Cole has managed features on tracks with many of today’s httest artists. He appeared on Jay-Z’s album The Blueprint 3, on the track “A Star Is Born,” and Wale’s debut album, Attention Deficit in the song “Beautiful Bliss.” Cole has also stated that he worked with producers such as No I.D., Pharrell, Jim Jonsin and Salaam Remi for his upcoming debut album.

5.

All He Needs Is One Take

He shot the video for his new single “Who Dat” in one take.

via: http://giantmag.com/