One of the greatest rappers of the 2010s, J. Cole clicked with an entire generation of fans and artists. He’s considered one of the best lyricists in the game while also being a prolific producer for his work and others. His hard work, from being a professional basketball player to multiple mixtapes, earned him the first contract with Jay-Z’s record label Roc Nation. He would also get his start opening for future rival Drake and producing songs for huge artists like another future rival Kendrick Lamar. J. Cole would be nominated for over 100 prestigious awards in his career but would only win a small handful. He’s a true underdog who has seen heights emcees can only dream of achieving.