Ari Lennox released her latest single, “Smoke,” earlier this month. Apparently, she’s not pleased with the level of reach the song has achieved, or more specifically, she’s upset with how her label, J. Cole’s Dreamville Records, handled the release. In fact, Lennox is at the point where she wants to be done with the label.
In a recent Instagram Live broadcast (archived here), Lennox spoke at length about her issues with Dreamville. At one point, she declared her desire to be dropped from the label, saying:
“I wish I had a label that wouldn’t have me out here trying to explain why I need advertisement, why I need advertisement for my record. […] You cannot expect an artist to be anything without advertisement. Like, you can’t. You can’t. Why am I begging for advertisement? Why am I paying for my own Google ads? No, it’s not OK.
So, I just want to be released, and it’s just that simple. And I’m tired of being nice, and I was trying to do everything the right way, but now I’m pissed. This was my final straw. I have communicated effectively and no one cares, so now we’re here in toxic-ass social media world, or this is how I’m deciding to express myself in a toxic way. But, we’re here, and I don’t know how else to get it through people’s thick head. Like, stop playing with me.”
Later, she continued, “I love making music. I loved every moment of making ‘Smoke.’ It was my freedom song, and I dropped it, and the label neglected me. They left me there by myself. […] Dreamville literally is telling me to my face they don’t believe in advertisements, they don’t believe in Google ads. What am I supposed to do with that information?”
For the record, this is a long-festering situation between Lennox and Dreamville, as Lennox also said in 2022 that she wanted to be done with Dreamville.
Born on January 28, 1985, in Frankfurt, Germany, Jermaine Lamarr Cole, professionally known as J Cole, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer, but what is his net worth in 2024? We’ll be looking at what has helped amass Cole’s impressive wealth and fortune thus far.
J Cole Net Worth
With a net worth of around $60 million as of 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth, J Cole has become one of the most successful and respected artists in the music industry.
Early Life And Music Beginnings
(Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
Growing up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Cole developed an interest in music at a young age. He started rapping when he was 12 and later learned to produce after his mother gifted him a beat machine. After graduating high school, J Cole attended St. John’s University in New York City, where he studied communications and computer science. It was during this time that he began to make connections in the music industry and work on his craft.
Breakthrough And Success
(Photo by David Wolff – Patrick/WireImage)
J Cole’s journey to fame began in 2007 when he released his debut mixtape, The Come Up. Shortly after, the release of his single “Lights Please” from The Warm Upcaught the attention of Jay-Z, who later signed him to his record label, Roc Nation. In 2011, Cole released his debut studio album, Cole World: The Sideline Story, which debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and was later certified platinum.
Following the success of his debut album, J Cole released several more successful albums, such as Born Sinner, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, 4 Your Eyez Only, KOD, and The Off-Season. Many of these projects have been critically acclaimed and commercially successful, further solidifying J Cole’s status as a top-tier rapper.
J Cole: Business Ventures And Investments
(Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Roc Nation)
In addition to his music career, J Cole has also ventured into other areas of business. In 2007, he co-founded Dreamville Records, which is distributed under Interscope Records. The label has signed several successful artists, including Bas, Cozz, and Ari Lennox. Dreamville has released multiple successful projects, including the Grammy-nominated compilation album, Revenge of the Dreamers III.
J Cole has also invested in Tidal, the music streaming service founded by Jay-Z. As a stakeholder in the company, J Cole has played a part in its growth and success.
Philanthropy And Social Impact
(Photo by Lorne Thomson/Redferns)
J Cole is not only focused on growing his wealth but also on making a positive impact on society. He has been involved in various philanthropic initiatives throughout his career, such as the Dreamville Foundation. Established in 2011, the foundation aims to improve the lives of urban youth by providing resources and opportunities for personal and educational development.
In 2015, J Cole announced that he also purchased his childhood home in Fayetteville and turned it into a rent-free housing program for single mothers and their children. This initiative further showcases J Cole’s commitment to giving back to his community and helping those in need.
Conclusion/TLDR
With a net worth of around $60 million as of 2024, J Cole has proven that hard work, determination, and talent can lead to incredible success. As he continues to create groundbreaking music and expand his business ventures, there’s no doubt that J Cole’s net worth will continue to grow in the coming years.
Just when you thought the Hip-Hop 50 celebrations were winding down for the year (since it’s almost December, when the music industry traditionally goes into low-power mode for the coming holidays), Dreamville adds its own contributions to the ongoing celebrations with a limited-edition merch collection. Teaming with Mass Appeal, which has spearheaded the 50th-anniversary celebrations all year, Dreamville has put the collection on sale on its website (powered by Shopify). You can check it out here.
In addition to an absolutely gorgeous Starter jacket emblazoned with the Dreamville wordmarks and a commemorative HipHop50 patch, there is also a hoodie, both long and short-sleeve T-shirts, a ball cap, and a Mystery Box, which is currently on sale for 25% off along with the rest of Dreamville’s usual assortment of apparel and items like an espresso cup, slide sandals, water bottles, and of course, a basketball.
The Hip-Hop 50 celebrations will continue in December, when the Grammys’ Salute To 50 Years Of Hip-Hop will air after taping on November 8 at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California. The tribute will include performances from both old-school stars like LL Cool J and Queen Latifah and contemporary hitmakers such as GloRilla and Lil Baby. It will air on CBS on December 10
This year marks the 10th anniversary of J. Cole’s second studio album, Born Sinner. The album was released on June 18 via ByStorm, Columbia, and Roc Nation. In addition to those labels, Born Sinner was the first album released on Cole’s Dreamville Records. Before he notoriously went Platinum without features for three albums straight, Born Sinner was the last album of his to have features until 2021. The album notably contains features from the likes of Miguel, Kendrick Lamar, TLC, James Fauntleroy, 50 Cent, Jhené Aiko, and more. Like most of his albums, J. Cole produced most of Born Sinner alongside Jake One, Elite, Syience, and Christian Rich.
Born Sinner ranks high among J. Cole’s consistent discography and is currently sitting at 2x Platinum status, making for his second biggest album behind 2014 Forest Hills Drive. Singles like “Power Trip” and “She Knows” remain some of J. Cole’s biggest songs. We’re looking back at J. Cole’s Born Sinner for its 10th anniversary.
J. Cole Reached New Heights With Born Sinner
J. Cole’s 2011 debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story was a culmination of the artistic potential he showed on his mixtapes. The album spawned multiple hit singles, including “Work Out” and “Can’t Get Enough.” He fulfilled his potential with major cosigns and songs with Missy Elliott and JAY-Z on his major label debut. Born Sinner was a turning point creatively for J. Cole, ending the basketball theme of his albums and mixtapes until The Off-Season.
With an impressive tracklist with high replay value, Born Sinner has it all: introspective tracks, clever rhymes, and catchy hit records. J. Cole’s versatility can be highlighted in the album’s opening bars. He raps, “Sometimes I brag like Hov, sometimes I’m real like Pac / Sometimes I focus on the flow to show the skills I got / Sometimes I focus on the dough, look at these bills I got.” These lyrics come from the song “Villuminati,” which arguably still remains one of J. Cole’s all-time best rap performances.
While Cole World: The Sideline Story is on par with the sound and theme of his mixtapes, Born Sinner can be described as more artistic than Cole World. When promoting the album, J. Cole said that he had more creative freedom making this album than his debut. The album’s title track speaks to the entire album. He raps, “Born sinner, was never born to be perfect.” In addition to the title track, album highlights like “Crooked Smile” also embrace one’s imperfections and look inward to J. Cole’s own personal feelings to spread a powerful message. The music on the album is true to its title as choirs contribute stunning vocal performances on standout tracks like “Trouble,” “Crooked Smile,” and “Born Sinner.”
J. Cole Positioned Himself As A Hip Hop Great
Making a name for himself with a JAY-Z cosign and the hit singles from his debut album, J. Cole had proven himself a promising name, but he positioned himself as one of the greats with Born Sinner. In addition to the quality of the music, J. Cole aligned himself with the legends when he moved his album release date a week early to compete with Kanye West’s Yeezus. He raps about the decision to move the date on “Forbidden Fruit.”
While Kanye did beat J. Cole in first-week sales, Born Sinner continued to climb the sales charts, eventually overtaking Yeezus. Born Sinner featured respected names like 50 Cent, who appeared on “New York Times,” as well as “Forbidden Fruit” with Kendrick Lamar, who only does the hook because Cole had to turn the album in. The project is riddled with classic hip hop samples on tracks like “Forbidden Fruit,” “Land of the Snakes,” and “Sparks Will Fly.”
He Made Nas Proud
One major highlight of Born Sinner is the song “Let Nas Down,” which begins with a sample of “Nas Is Like.” Cole raps about idolizing Nas at an early age before meeting him for the first time. After feeling pressure from his label, J. Cole dropped his first hit with “Work Out” but felt gutted after hearing that Nas didn’t like the song. In the second and third verses, Cole raps about what Nas’s music meant to him and how he is committed to not sacrificing his music for anything, writing from the heart.
As a result of letting Nas down, Cole raps about re-adjusting his target audience on “Villuminati” after trying to chase a hit and losing sight of his core fanbase. Nas’s response to “Let Nas Down” was nothing short of positive, releasing a remix titled “Made Nas Proud,” giving J. Cole the ultimate stamp of approval. Overall, Born Sinner lives up to the hype created by his debut, surpassing it in quality. It was the first glimpse of J. Cole at legend status.
Born on January 28, 1985, in Frankfurt, Germany, Jermaine Lamarr Cole, professionally known as J Cole, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer, but what is his net worth in 2023? We’ll be looking at what has helped amass Cole’s impressive wealth and fortune thus far.
J Cole Net Worth
With a net worth of around $60 million as of 2023, according to Celebrity Net Worth, J Cole has become one of the most successful and respected artists in the music industry.
Early Life And Music Beginnings
(Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
Growing up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Cole developed an interest in music at a young age. He started rapping when he was 12 and later learned to produce after his mother gifted him a beat machine. After graduating high school, J Cole attended St. John’s University in New York City, where he studied communications and computer science. It was during this time that he began to make connections in the music industry and work on his craft.
Breakthrough And Success
(Photo by David Wolff – Patrick/WireImage)
J Cole’s journey to fame began in 2007 when he released his debut mixtape, The Come Up. Shortly after, the release of his single “Lights Please” from The Warm Upcaught the attention of Jay-Z, who later signed him to his record label, Roc Nation. In 2011, Cole released his debut studio album, Cole World: The Sideline Story, which debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and was later certified platinum.
Following the success of his debut album, J Cole released several more successful albums, such as Born Sinner, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, 4 Your Eyez Only, KOD, and The Off-Season. Many of these projects have been critically acclaimed and commercially successful, further solidifying J Cole’s status as a top-tier rapper.
J Cole: Business Ventures And Investments
(Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Roc Nation)
In addition to his music career, J Cole has also ventured into other areas of business. In 2007, he co-founded Dreamville Records, which is distributed under Interscope Records. The label has signed several successful artists, including Bas, Cozz, and Ari Lennox. Dreamville has released multiple successful projects, including the Grammy-nominated compilation album, Revenge of the Dreamers III.
J Cole has also invested in Tidal, the music streaming service founded by Jay-Z. As a stakeholder in the company, J Cole has played a part in its growth and success.
Philanthropy And Social Impact
(Photo by Lorne Thomson/Redferns)
J Cole is not only focused on growing his wealth but also on making a positive impact on society. He has been involved in various philanthropic initiatives throughout his career, such as the Dreamville Foundation. Established in 2011, the foundation aims to improve the lives of urban youth by providing resources and opportunities for personal and educational development.
In 2015, J Cole announced that he also purchased his childhood home in Fayetteville and turned it into a rent-free housing program for single mothers and their children. This initiative further showcases J Cole’s commitment to giving back to his community and helping those in need.
Conclusion/TLDR
With a net worth of around $60 million as of 2023, J Cole has proven that hard work, determination, and talent can lead to incredible success. As he continues to create groundbreaking music and expand his business ventures, there’s no doubt that J Cole’s net worth will continue to grow in the coming years.
With Creed III hitting theatres today (March 3), Dreamville has finally released the long-awaited soundtrack to the movie. Creed III: The Soundtrack is an 18-track album that takes listeners through a raw journey of wide-ranging emotions, likely combining perfectly with the contemplative build-up of scenes expected in this sports drama. Now available to stream, this soundtrack hasn’t failed to live up to its hype, so be sure to check it out.
Featured in the soundtrack is a hot list of Dreamville Record’s musical talent, including Big Sean, Kehlani, and Bas. The label’s co-founder, J. Cole, also hosts his own song for the movie, titled “Adonis Interlude (The Montage).” In all, nearly 30 artists have contributed to this work of art.
“Creed III: The Soundtrack” Is Available To Stream Now
The anticipation behind this iconic collaboration between Dreamville and Michael B. Jordan’s movie has been brewing since ComplexCon 2022. Jordan spoke at the event, noting that he was “probably gonna get in trouble” for dishing out the movie’s secret. The label teased the soundtrack just a month ago with the enthusiastically-met release of JID and Lute’s “Ma Boy.”
Dreamville was accompanied by Proximity Media, Outlier Society, and Frank Brim for the execution of this project. In a press release, the goal of the soundtrack was noted as “to create a musical experience that fit not just the film’s needs but one that will be celebrated as its own piece of art—inspired by both the film and the coming together of various artists on a soundtrack that matches the film’s acclaim and impact on community and culture.” For more news on hip-hop and pop culture, be sure to check out HNHH.
Creed III: The Soundtrack Tracklist:
Culture – Mez, Reason, Symba, and 8AE
Ma Boy – JID & Lute
Anthem (Soundtrack Version) – Big Sean and EST Gee
Dreamville Records has launched a new project in collaboration with Amsterdam-based fashion label Daily Paper. The resulting capsule, referred to as Dream Daily, is a seven-piece collection of university-style wear. Raeana Anaïs, the design director of Dreamville, describes the mission of this project to be “Dream Daily, and then put a plan into action to make those dreams come true.”
The record label, founded by J. Cole, has initiated another step into the fashion world with this collection. Reflecting on this new endeavor with Daily Paper, Dreamville partner Adam Roy stated, “we tell stories through music and equally they, with fashion. We’re excited about the opportunity to build something special with one of today’s foremost fashion collectives.” Daily Paper, which was created in 2008 by Abderrahmane Trabsini, Hussein Suleiman, and Jefferson Osei, is heavily inspired by the African heritage of the founders.
Dreamville X Daily Paper Pulls Inspo From The Classroom
For the release, photographer Olya Oleinic shot a yearbook-themed campaign starring “alumni” members of both Dreamville and the Daily Paper. Dream Daily is also heavily inspired by the University of Sankore, which is regarded as one of the world’s oldest educational institutions. The creative direction for Dream Daily is explained in a statement released on the fashion brand’s website: “With both brands starting their respective labels during their university years, we reimagine what a Daily Paper x Dreamville University would look like.” The brand also features a similarly styled video campaign, which also features the behind-the-scenes of the creation of Dream Daily.
Needless to say, the concept of Dream Daily emphasizes education. One of the more notable pieces from the capsule is the maroon and sandy-colored University Jacket. Featured on the jacked is an assortment of branded patches and a graphic depicting the Great Mosque of Djenné, which has both religious and cultural significance for the people of Mali. The collection also features a polo dress, a polo sweater, a coach jacket, sweatpants, a hoodie, and a t-shirt. Today (February 24th) marks the first day of Dreamville’s pop-up in NYC, located inside of the Daily Paper’s flagship store. For more news related to pop culture and hip-hop, be sure to keep in touch with HNHH.
Ari Lennox isn’t the only one over on Dreamville Records with a banger on her hands. Rapper Bas is back with new music since his joint project with Gunna, Pick Me Up, which was released back in April 2022. The Queens, New York representer teamed up with producers Linden Jay, Paul Castelluzzo, and Joe Harrisson to churn out his haunting new single, “Diamonds.”
The highly sought-after gem may be marketed as a girl’s best friend, but in hip-hop, we’ve seen time and time again that the more a rapper acquires these jewels, the bigger the target is on their backs for potential harm from those wishing to take it for themselves. On the track, Bas explores this sentiment but from a different angle.
Expressed in the stanza, “Wonder where the day goes, I been out of line / If love is all you need, then let me spend my pain / You n***a make it rain on / Hunnid on my wrist just to make it rain on / Look at all the whips, spick and they span / And you feel like you the man / But you cannot rub the stain off / No, you can not rub the stain off,” Bas details just how the relentless pursuit of these material possessions are often a front musicians put on to mask other much deeper emotional wounds rather than surface level vanity.
The track’s official video, directed by Ryan Doubiago, demonstrates just one tragic tale of how this plays out as Bas serves as the actor stuck in this mindset. The grayscale video opens with the quote, “we only talk about real sh*t when we’re f*cked up,” as Bas is seated on an opulent leather couch smoking and drinking dark liquor.
As the scenery rotates through several different social scenarios repeating Bas’ lifecycle, he becomes less and less connected to himself, his surroundings, and his former lover, which serves as a metaphor for the emptiness those tethered to this quest feel. Bas recklessly falls back into the party crowd when the scenes transition from the home-like setting when his former fling confronts him. But in the end, instead of being helped by this mysterious lady, his supposed saving grace, his chain ends up being his ultimate downfall.
The chain turns into a rope and hangs Bas (a metaphor for the flashy life ultimately being the death of him) as both his love interest and the world watch. Instead of intervening, the crowd pulls out their smartphones to record it with the intent to share it with the world as a piece of entertainment rather than the horror film it is.
When asked about the inspiration behind the track, Bas told Complex, “‘Diamonds’ stems from the stark realization that, as artists in the public light, our pains and traumas are consistently up for the public’s consumption.”
Bas has a solution for the problem, “We have to continually explore and give more of ourselves to feed the insatiable appetite of the audience. We experience and watch our peers go through life-altering and irrevocably damaging moments that just end up as clickbait or social media fodder. We make public appearances and wear masks in order to be who the public wants us to be. Shine bright for them. Yet our inner turmoils just fester underneath it all. The trappings of the life we chose and the dreams we pursue can often be the cause of our downfall.”
This Friday, Dreamville-signed Atlanta rapper JID will release his third studio album, The Forever Story, four years after the release of his last solo album, DiCaprio 2, and five after his debut, The Never Story. In the meantime, we’ve seen JID’s star rise with his participation in releases from Dreamville such as the 2019 group compilation Revenge Of The Dreamers III and the Gangsta Grillz mixtape D-Day earlier this year, and the 2020 Spillage Village group album Spilligion. Now, The Forever Story is on the way to solidifying his ascent, cementing him as a superstar.
In the lead-up to the album, JID has released two main singles, “Surround Sound” featuring 21 Savage and Baby Tate and “Dance Now” with Kenny Mason. However, he also released an unofficial single, “2007,” which was left off the album due to sample clearance issues. When he shared the song, he revealed that it was originally the outro and is key to understanding the album’s narrative and themes. Later, he revealed the album’s tracklist — at first, with only the producer credits, then again with all the features included. The album’s guest artists are 21 Savage, Baby Tate, Ari Lennox, Earthgang, Eryn Allen Kane, Johnta Austin, Kenny Mason, Lil Durk Lil Wayne, Mustafa The Poet, Ravyn Lenae, and Yasiin Bey.
The Forever Story is out on 8/26 on Dreamville/Interscope. You can get it here and see the full tracklist below.
1. “Galaxy”
2. “Raydar”
3. “Dance Now” Feat. Kenny Mason
4. “Crack Sandwich”
5. “Can’t Punk Me” Feat. Earthgang
6. “Surround Sound” Feat. 21 Savage & Baby Tate
7. “Kody Blu 31”
8. “Bruddanem” Feat. Lil Durk & Mustafa The Poet
9. “Sistanem”
10. “Can’t Make You Change” Feat. Ari Lennox
11. “Stars” Feat. Yasiin Bey
12. “Just In Time” Feat. Lil Wayne & Kenny Mason
13. “Money”
14. “Better Days” Feat. Johnta Austin
15. “Lauder Too” Feat. Ravyn Lenae & Eryn Allen Kane
JID, who is currently in the middle of promoting his upcoming third studio album, The Forever Story, has had a fascinating and impressive career trajectory. You could argue that this is due in large part to his status as a member of J. Cole’s Dreamville roster, where his artistic vision has been nurtured and protected. But his career could have gone much differently; he recently revealed that he was nearly signed to a different label instead: His hometown Atlanta’s own Quality Control Music, which boasts City Girls, Lil Baby, and Migos as members.
During a quick interview on the street with TMZ, JID recalled how he ended up on the Dreamville roster instead of Quality Control. Watching the video below, you can tell he’s a little shy to be giving an impromptu interview, which begins by noting J. Cole chose to sign with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation rather than 50 Cent’s G-Unit. But when asked if he had done something similar, he admitted, “We was about to sign with Coach K, though. That’s my dog.” He also joked that “I was about to be the fourth Migo.”
Judging from the response to his Forever Story singles “Surround Sound” and “Dance Now“, the album may be the one that skyrockets JID into the spotlight for real, putting him on an even footing with his would-be bandmates Migos — who have their own music dropping (separately) soon, as well. The Forever Story is due 8/26 via Dreamville/Interscope. Pre-save it here.
