The Evolution of J. Cole

On this, the day of his birth, follow Grown Simba's journey.

Jay Z, Blueprint 3 - The Blueprint is a classic. Blueprint 2, Jay Z’s double-disc follow up, is widely viewed with mixed feelings. Blueprint 3 falls somewhere in between. The 2009 release included smashes like “Empire State of Mind” and “Run This Town,” as well as features from Drake, J. Cole, Kid Cudi and more.  (Photo: Def Jam)

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Clap for Him - Hov anointed his rookie signee by giving him a coveted guest spot on the aptly titled "A Star Is Born," from 2009's Blueprint 3. Cole was officially in the big leagues now. (Photo: Courtesy Def Jam Recordings)

Drake (@drakkardnoir)\r - Once Drake drops his next album, Take Care, you won't have to rely on Twitter to get those great words of wisdom.\r \rTWEET: "You could have the cars the clothes the jewels the sex the house...baby you could be a star. The lonely star."\r(Photo: Matt Sayles/AP)

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Touring With Drake - Drake recruited J. Cole for the U.K. leg of Light Dreams and Nightmares tour, exposing him to a whole new audience. (Photo: AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

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Touring With Rihanna - Cole stepped up to a whole new stratosphere when Rihanna tapped him to be the opening act on her 2011 Loud arena tour.  (Photo: M Vaudrey/PictureGroup)

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The Sideline Story - J. Cole dropped his long-delayed, long-hyped studio debut, Cole World: The Sideline Story, on Roc Nation in September 2011, with features from Trey Songz, Missy Elliott, Drake, and his Roc boss Jay Z, plus his penchant for producing got a boost from some behind-the-boards work with the acclaimed No I.D. (Photo: Roc Nation/Sony Music Entertainment)

Something for the People - Cole took things back to his roots with Truly Yours and Truly Yours 2, free EPs released just two-and-a-half months apart in early 2013. The projects were the perfect setup for his highly-anticipated sophomore album, Born Sinner.(Photos: Roc Nation)

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Something for the People - Cole took things back to his roots with Truly Yours and Truly Yours 2, free EPs released just two-and-a-half months apart in early 2013. The projects were the perfect setup for his highly-anticipated sophomore album, Born Sinner.(Photos: Roc Nation)

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Dynamic Duo - The Roc Nation signee rekindled his artist marriage with Miguel on "Power Trip," the platinum-selling Born Sinner single which scored both BET Hip Hop Awards and Grammy nominations. (Photo: Roc Nation)

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Dynamic Duo - The Roc Nation signee rekindled his artist marriage with Miguel on "Power Trip," the platinum-selling Born Sinner single which scored both BET Hip Hop Awards and Grammy nominations. (Photo: Roc Nation)

Album of the Year: J. Cole – Born Sinner - Landing at the top of the Billboard 200 chart (his second No. 1 album) off of singles like "Power Trip" and "Crooked Smile," J. Cole is making this rap thing look easy. (Photo: RocNation)

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Sophomore Success - J. Cole was able to avoid the sophomore slump with June 2013’s Born Sinner. The project was well-received by critics, topped the Billboard 200, and was one of the best-selling rap albums of the year. (Photo: Roc Nation)

Uplifting Message - Cole teamed up with TLC for the uplifting and catchy "Crooked Smile." The song went gold, and the timing was impeccable with TLC celebrating 20 years in the game when the single released in 2013. (Photo: Roc Nation)

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Uplifting Message - Cole teamed up with TLC for the uplifting and catchy "Crooked Smile." The song went gold, and the timing was impeccable with TLC celebrating 20 years in the game when the single released in 2013. (Photo: Roc Nation)

Dreams Come True - The North Carolina native brought along friend and frequent collaborator Wale for the international What Dreams May Come Tour, which began in late 2013 and is picking up again this year. Cole even has a special show planned for his birthday, at Madison Square Garden. That's definitely a birthday to remember!(Photo: Roc Nation)

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Dreams Come True - The North Carolina native brought along friend and frequent collaborator Wale for the international What Dreams May Come Tour, which began in late 2013 and is picking up again this year. Cole even has a special show planned for his birthday, at Madison Square Garden. That's definitely a birthday to remember!(Photo: Roc Nation)