Jermaine Lamarr Cole is an American rapper and record producer. Born on a military base in Germany and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Cole initially gained attention as a rapper following the release of his debut mixtape, The Come Up, in early 2007. He attended college in New York City with intent in furthering his musical career, and signed with Jay-Z's Roc Nation in 2009; the label released his next two mixtapes: The Warm Up (2009) and Friday Night Lights (2010), both of which earned him wider recognition.