Culture
J. Cole Talks Fatherhood, Going Platinum with No Features and More in GQ Cover Story
J. Cole has been stepping out of his comfort zone a lot more this past year since the release of his 2018-project, K.O.D.
From interviewing Lil Pump to being open to working with artists again, ranging from 21 Savage to MoneyBagg Yo, the theDreamville rapper took GQ to his backyard of North Carolina during All-Star weekend for their forthcoming issue.
“I’ve reached a point in my life, where I’m like, ‘How long am I gonna be doing this for?’” says Cole. “I’m starting to realize like, oh shit—let’s say I stopped this year. I would feel like I missed out on certain experiences, you know? Working with certain artists, being more collaborative, making more friends out of peers, making certain memories that I feel like if I don’t, I’m gonna regret it one day.”
Donned in high-fashion pieces by Bally, Hermès, Isabel Marant and more while photographed by Awol Erizku, Cole opens up a lot more than we expected – giving us fatherhood, how he feels about not winning a GRAMMY, Colin Kaepernick settling his case, having the same Versace sweater as his peers at the 2013 BET Awards and more.
ON THE ‘J. COLE WENT PLATINUM WITH NO FEATURES’ PHRASE: “I was loving it. I was like, ‘Word up—this is funny as hell.’ But the second or third time, I was like, ‘All right, it’s almost embarrassing now.’ Like, ‘All right, man, y’all gonna make me put a feature on the album just so this shit can stop.’”
ON LOSING BEST NEW ARTIST AT THE 2012 GRAMMYS: “It would’ve been disastrous for me, because subconsciously it would’ve been sending me a signal of like ‘Okay, I am supposed to be this guy.’ But I would’ve been the dude that had that one great album and then fizzled out.”
ON NOT WINNING ANY GRAMMYS: “I’m not supposed to have a Grammy, you know what I mean? At least not right now, and maybe never. And if that happens, then that’s just how it was supposed to be.”
ON FATHERHOOD: “For a while, I felt a little weird about it. Like, nah. I felt, ‘Did I miss something?’ ‘Cause I didn’t feel the change that people talk about. And then I figured out what it was. I changed my life in order to get ready to have a family and to have a son. I literally changed my life, where I was living, the things that I was doing. I changed. So because of that, when my son came, I was ready. I already made room.”
It’s official! Ashanti and Nelly are expecting their first child together.
The songstress confirmed to ESSENCE, saying, “This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation. Motherhood is something that I have looked forward to, and sharing this with my family, fiancé, and loyal fans, who have been so supportive of my career, is an amazing experience.”
In addition to the news, the couple has announced their partnership as co-owners of Proov, alongside founder Amy Beckley, PhD. Proov is a pioneering diagnostics company that offers affordable at-home tests designed to aid couples in their conception journey, providing valuable insights and support without breaking the bank. These medical-grade tests illuminate potential obstacles to conception, empowering individuals on their path to parenthood.
Congratulations to Ashanti who is expecting her first child with Nelly.
— miixtapechiick.com (@MXCKdotCom) April 17, 2024
pic.twitter.com/PHYwVvUB8c
This new addition will mark Ashanti’s first child and Nelly’s third. The “Hot in Herre” rapper is also a father to his adult children, Chanelle, 29, and Cornell Haynes III, 24, from a previous relationship. Nelly also adopted his late sister Jackie Donahue’s children, Shawn and Sydney Thomas, after her passing from leukemia in 2005.
Ashanti shared her pregnancy announcement on Instagram through a heartwarming video that included a moment with her mother, Tina Douglas. In the clip, Ashanti is seen preparing for a show, and her mother, acting as her timekeeper, asks how much time she needs to get ready. After being asked twice, Ashanti emerges from behind the curtains and responds, “I’ma need about nine months,” leaving Tina pleasantly surprised by the joyous news.
NBA YoungBoy, also known as YoungBoy Never Broke Again, has found himself in legal trouble once again as he was apprehended on Tuesday, Apr. 16, in Utah. The charges against him span a range of offenses, from identity fraud and forgery to multiple drug-related charges.
According to records from the Cache County Sheriff’s Office, the charges, which originated from his hometown in Louisiana, include patterns of unlawful activity, attempts to obtain drugs, identity fraud, forgery, possession of controlled substances, and possession of a dangerous weapon. At the time of his arrest, NBA YoungBoy, born Kentrell Gaulden, was under house arrest in Utah.
In October 2022, YoungBoy Never Broke Again was granted bond by Louisiana Chief U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick after being arrested in March 2022. He had been placed in FBI custody due to an outstanding warrant related to drug and weapons charges from a September 2020 arrest in Baton Rouge, where he was filming a music video.
Last month, NBA YoungBoy released his seventh studio project, titled “Compliments Of Gravedigger Mountain,” featuring 13 tracks. Notably, this marks his thirteenth project in the past two years alone.
Gunna has announced the release of his new album, “One of Wun.”
The cover art, created by Calvin Clausell Jr. with creative direction by Spike Jordan of The Genius Club and art direction/design by Tal Midyan, was unveiled to accompany the announcement on socials. While no release date has been specified, the album is now available for pre-order, including physical copies.
The album will be distributed by Young Stoner Records/300 Entertainment.
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