J. Cole Dreamville Label: '2014 Forest Hills Drive' Rapper Is Looking for the Next Aaliyah [Listen]
Attention, all aspiring female hip-hop artists: J. Cole is currently in search for an "Aaliyah-type" singer for his label Dreamville.
While recently speaking to Hot 97's Funkmaster Flex on the phone, the Fayetteville, North Carolina, lyricist discussed his Interscope Records imprint as well as how he wishes to grow as a producer –just like renowned hitmaker Timbaland, who worked with the late Aaliyah and Missy Elliott back in the '90s.
"We in that new age, Flex, where artists don't really need the label," he said. "They need that stamp and they gone. They build everything on they own.
"I'm a producer. I had dreams of starting a label and producing for artists, and it just so turns out that I got artists that don't really need [a major label]," he continued. "I'm still looking forward to scooping that singer, that Aaliyah type or that Missy type that I can put that Timbaland touch on and really give my sound to."
"But in the meantime, I just got some real monsters that don't even really need me," he added. "So I'm just pushing them, showing them the way as much as possible."
Last December, Cole released his critically acclaimed third studio album "2014 Forest Hills Drive" without promotion. The "Apparently" rapper also explained why he chooses to stay off social media.
"With so many people listening, I don't know what I would say to five, six million people," he said. "I don't even know what I want to talk about to them. ... I believe in staying away until you got something to say. I don't believe in the art of talking to be talking or talking to be heard."
Check out J. Cole's recent phone chat with Hot 97's Funkmaster Flex below.
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