J. cole

Producing all my own songs and refusing to go to the hot producer. That's the biggest risk I've taken so far.

I was a huge Mike Tyson fan growing up; his fights were always on in my house.

I now possess the tools as a producer and a songwriter to really just go out and make smashes all day long. I could make an album full of smash records that got pop appeal. But my heart is in hip-hop....

People think because I've got some success, I've made it, but in my eyes it's like, 'How long has Jay Z been in the business? How many albums has he got?' Not that I'm trying to be Jay Z, but I am...

Barack Obama would not be President if he were dark skin. You know what I mean? That's just the truth. I might not be as successful as I am now if I was dark skin.

I was a huge Mike Tyson fan growing up; his fights were always on in my house.

The thing about being an artist today is you get to develop right in front of people's eyes before you even put out an album.

I met Will Smith twice. I didn't talk to him for too long but I was trying to let him know that my age group grew up watching him - he was the coolest guy on television and the coolest guy in movies.

I pay attention to lyrics and I know what rap fans care about. I try to write for the average listener and I'm conscious of the mainstream without selling out.

I don't live for the accolades. I'm more so about the music. Making it, and putting it out. Those are the two best feelings.