Why J Cole considers Queens, New York his second home

"Cole was, in actual fact, born in a country that no longer exists. Arriving in 1985, a time when the Cold War was ongoing and the Berlin Wall still stood, his birthplace was Frankfurt, which, at that time, was a part of West Germany. East and West Germany would only unify five years after Cole was born."

"Cole lived in the diverse Jamaica neighborhood of Queens for some time, specifically in a small apartment owned by a man named Mohammed. This landlord actually saw the potential in Cole's burgeoning music career, and, as such, he sometimes allowed Cole to stay without paying rent. Cole, apparently, repaid Mohammed once he'd made it as a rapper."

"This period that Cole spent in Queens meant a great deal to him, which is something that shone through on his song 'New York Times.' Included as a bonus track on the deluxe edition of his second album Born Sinner, 'New York Times' featured two Queens rappers in the form of 50 Cent and Bas."

J Cole was born in Frankfurt, West Germany in 1985 while his father served on a military base. After his father left the family, Cole's mother relocated him and his brother to Fayetteville, North Carolina. Following high school graduation, Cole pursued music ambitions and was accepted to St John's University in Queens, New York. Living in Jamaica, Queens in a small apartment owned by landlord Mohammed, Cole received support including rent forgiveness as his music career developed. This formative period in Queens profoundly influenced Cole, inspiring his song 'New York Times' featuring 50 Cent and Bas, which celebrated the borough and its significance to his journey.

Read at Hip Hop Hero