J. Cole Reflects on Drake Collaboration Origins

In the latest episode of his audio series 'Inevitable', J. Cole shared insights about his early career, including the pressure of releasing his debut album, 'Cole World: The Sideline Story'. He recalled a pivotal moment at the 2011 NBA All-Star Weekend when JAY-Z suggested that Drake help him create a hit, which left Cole feeling embarrassed and frustrated. Cole confronted JAY-Z later that night, questioning why he was being pressured for a hit single when JAY-Z's own debut, 'Reasonable Doubt', had none. Despite the awkward exchange, it propelled Cole to create successful tracks like 'Work Out' that solidified his status in the industry. He also reflected on the impact of his collaboration with Drake on 'In the Morning', which contributed to his rising fame. The episode illustrates Cole's journey from a struggling artist to one of the top names in hip-hop.