Q&A with J. Cole, who headlined CAC's "Hip Hop Explosion"

Rapper J. Cole headlined the Undergraduate Students Association Cultural Affairs Commission’s “Hip Hop Explosion” on Wednesday in Ackerman Grand Ballroom. After closing the show, which included performances by Mic Holden with Le J Trio, One Be Lo and DJ Addict, J. Cole sat down with Daily Bruin’s Leah Christianson to talk about.

Daily Bruin: You started rapping at age 12. What got you interested at such a young age?

J. Cole: I was a rap fan, but I had a cousin that came and stayed with us for the summer. He was from Louisiana. And he was a little older than me ““ he played basketball ““ and he just rapped some songs for fun. I thought it was pretty cool, so I joined in.

DB: And you started writing at age 15?

JC: Writing? No, right when I started rapping, I started writing.

DB: You attended St. John’s University. … Graduating from college is relatively rare in your industry; what prompted you to go to college?

JC: I always knew I was going to school; that was a no-brainer. I was smart. But I always knew I was going to college. From kindergarten, first grade, my mom always made that really important. It was one of the first things she made me believe. My attitude was, “That’s cool, that’s cool.”

DB: Did college help get you where you are now, either academically or location-wise?

JC: Absolutely, absolutely. New York had a lot to do with it. Going up there was a big move for me. I just think it was always in my cards.

DB: Is there anything in particular that’s inspired you the most since college?

JC: It’s all different, so much different inspiration. I can’t really pinpoint one thing but … just where I want to be in the world. My goals that I set are my inspiration and my motivation.

DB: Jay-Z has called you the “flagship artist” of his record label, Roc Nation. How do you react to a compliment like that from such an influential artist?

JC: Man, tell him I said thank you. No, really, that’s dope, just that he went out on a limb and signed me. I know he didn’t really want to sign any rapper to Roc Nation when he first started ““ I think he wanted to go more pop ““ so, yeah, that was a big compliment.

DB: There is a line from your song “Grown Simba” that you opened the show with that goes: “Me I’m like a young Simba I can’t wait to be the king.” Do you feel as though you’re closer to becoming “the king” after all the positive press of “Friday Night Lights” and signing with Jay-Z’s label?

JC: Not necessarily. Closer, yes. It’s still far away. I mean, that’s something that takes years of work. Hopefully I can get it faster than most people have got it, but still, that is definitely something that does not happen overnight.

DB: You performed with Jay-Z in Pauley Pavillion in November 2009. What is it like to be back, but this time as the headliner of the concert here at UCLA?

JC: Man, if you were there (when I was on stage) then you were one of the first four people there. It was funny, all those shows that I opened for Jay-Z were smaller when I played, but that one in particular I remember thinking, “Damn, this must be L.A.,” because people were getting there mad late. But it’s dope to be back. I actually thought about that when I was on stage too. I thought, “Man, even though I’m not in the arena, it’s just cool to come back a year and some change later.” It just shows progress; we still got a long way to go.

DB: What is the status of your upcoming album?

JC: Status … status is finishing right now. (I) don’t have a release date. I have an idea, but I don’t even like to say it, just because I don’t want fans to get their hopes up. But, it does sound great, I can say that. Yeah, beyond great, actually.

DB: Can I get a name, or is that still secret?

JC: Mmm no. (Laughs) Sorry.