J. Cole Unveils Compelling Backstory from 'Inevitable' Series Episode Six

J. Cole Shares a Never-Before-Told Story from His Early Career

The sixth episode of J. Cole’s Inevitable series dives into a transformative period in the artist’s career, bridging the release of Friday Night Lights and his debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story. With gripping narration and insights from Cole and his manager Ibrahim Hamad, listeners are treated to an intimate look at the challenges Cole faced as an emerging artist.

One standout moment from the episode takes place at JAY-Z and LeBron James’ Two Kings dinner during the 2011 NBA All-Star Weekend. Cole, under pressure to produce a single worthy of his debut album, encountered an unexpected—and uncomfortable—situation.

As Ibrahim recalls, “We were at the dinner with Cole, Drake, and Future (the Prince), when JAY-Z entered the room. He pointed at Drake and told him, ‘Give the boy a hit,’ motioning to Cole.” Despite the camaraderie, this exchange highlighted the competitive tension between Cole and Drake, who had collaborated just months earlier on “In The Morning.”

The incident left Cole visibly upset, reflecting his frustration with being pressured to follow a formula for success that didn’t align with his vision. This led to a heated conversation with JAY-Z later that night, where Cole confronted the contradiction of being expected to create commercial hits while staying true to his artistry—a struggle JAY-Z himself experienced during his Reasonable Doubt era.

Ultimately, Cole channeled this pressure into creating “Work Out,” the single that would propel his debut album to critical and commercial success. This anecdote not only underscores Cole’s perseverance but also provides fans with a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes challenges of a now-iconic artist.

For the full series, explore Inevitable and witness J. Cole’s remarkable journey unfold.