J. Cole is an American rapper, singer, and record producer, born on January 28, 1985, in Frankfurt, Germany. He gained fame with his debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story, released in 2011, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Known for his introspective lyrics and storytelling, J. Cole often addresses themes like social issues, personal struggles, and ambition in his music. He is also the founder of the record label Dreamville Records, which has signed several successful artists. J. Cole has received numerous awards, including Grammy Awards, and is recognized as one of the leading figures in contemporary hip-hop.