The hip-hop world is a better place with J. Cole in it and his sit down interview in Miami recently with radio personality Angie Martinez proved why. The two sat down for a 94-minute interview in famed Nas and Amy Winehouse producer Salaam Remis studio house last weekend before headlining the Rolling Loud Festival.
Cole posted the interview to YouTube on Wednesday (May 16) and talked about why the first thing he did was support Cardi B on his return to Twitter, the meaning of his latest album title KOD (Kids on Drugs, King Overdose or Kill Our Demons, choose wisely), emotional fan DM’s, and his phone call from Kanye West.
J. Cole x Angie Martinez Interview at Salaam’s House
J. Cole and Angie Martinez in conversation at Salaam Remi’s studio house in Miami before Cole’s headlining set at Rolling Loud Festival 2018 Listen to KOD now: http://smarturl.it/KODJCole Buy KOD now: http://smarturl.it/KODStore KOD Tour On Sale Now – http://dreamville.lnk.to/KODTour Connect with J.
First up, Cole let the world know about his pre-concert rituals, one of which is to meditate for at least five minutes to clear his head before a big performance. Cole was careful to separate meditation from prayer, but he explained how his rituals primarily relate to when he gets anxious about stressful situations.
I want to become disciplined to where it is a part of my life every day when things are like good or things a little stressful, he told Martinez.
Coles latest album KOD broke the Spotify record for biggest opening day with 36.6 million plays, which was previously held by Drakes More Life album and also beat Drake’s Views album on Apple Music with 64.5 million plays.
Yeah, he texted me and said, I hate you, J. Cole said, laughing.
When Martinez said that Cardi B was vulnerable after an interview with The Breakfast Club on Power 105.1, Cole responded discussing why he shows her support on Twitter.
I just feel like people give her so much advice. But I saw her interview and it just seemed like, Damn, they put a mad pressure on this girl to try to beat herself, J. Cole added. He told Martinez that after being in the same shoes as Cardi B — not the bloody shoes — he wanted to let her know on Twitter that she already won.
After the release of KOD, Cole talked about how a fan Direct Messaged him on Instagram hours after the album dropped on April 20 about how he was setting aside the weed and pills he bought to celebrate 4/20 to reflect on his late mothers addiction. J. Cole shared another story about a friend of a friend who cried because her younger brother opened up to her for the first time about their mothers addiction upon listening to KOD.
Once they hear the stories, like they never had a space to get it off, so that type of stuff is making it for me, and in those moments, I remember, he said. Thats my hope, thats my intention.
J. Cole – ATM
J. Cole – ATM (Official Music Video) Listen to KOD now: http://smarturl.it/KODJCole Directed by Scott Lazer, J. Cole Connect with J. Cole: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realcoleworld/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jcolenc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JColeMusic/ Connect with Dreamvile: http://dreamville.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamville Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dreamville Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dreamville Music video by J. Cole performing ATM.
Cole also denied the rumors on if he would ever collaborate with Kendrick Lamar on an album. He said he and Lamar worked on “ideas” together earlier in their careers, but would not call it an album.
Its not that I wouldnt want to work with him, thats not the case, he said. Its just that when Im working on my album, its just like, Yo, thats just how I operate. He got a career I got a career, I got a family he got a family, its like it would have been easier back then.
The most revealing element was when Cole discussed Kanye West’s tweet on May 1 of a phone call screenshot with J. Cole for about four minutes that has since been deleted with the caption we got love. J. Cole admitted to not knowing that picture would be shared on social media, saying, I would have never posted that or like tell him to post that. He said West later apologized for the tweet, and the Cole told him, It felt like you just used my name in that very quick conversation for, for social media and for like to keep your thing going. It felt like it wasnt sincere because of that.
I feel like I got used as a pawn, and then that somehow it looks like I agree with what this dude is saying and agree with what hes doing and the way hes going about it and really thats very far from the case, he said. I actually on the phone was concerned for him. Thats the real truth.
J. Cole also confirmed to Martinez that the song “False Prophets” was not about West.
Theres one verse that applies to him for sure, but if youve listened to that song, that song is about what this shit is exposing and I check myself on that song as well.
In all the world is better with hip hop gatekeeper and introspection specialist extraordinaire, J. Cole.
