Calm and collected individual. Bold and sophisticated presence. Unique and talented artist. There are plenty of synonyms and metaphors to describe the person who I view as my hero. Jermaine Lamarr Cole is a well-known and respected rapper who plants authenticity and reality into his craft. He lives by the way he raps in his songs which is something rare. He talks about his childhood, his present battles, and the blessings in his life and the future he constantly shapes for himself. He does all of this in a manner where we can relate to either his feelings or the familiar scenarios he describes in his songs. He did not grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth just as the majority of us. Yet he never allowed his riches to change him as a person. As a multi-millionaire and mainstream artist he drives around the city in his bicycle not a Ferrari, in his crocs and socks not Dior and Gucci, with his natural dreadlocks not pretending like his life is a movie.

With all his humbleness and humility he tends to remind people now and then with his confidence in his craft, not bragging just proving his skills and talent. There is one song that I enjoy and sing as a mantra almost on a daily basis. The title is Love Yours. With the chorus softly and tenderly saying “no such thing as a life that is better than yours”. A few of the lines stands out where he raps in a poetic manner and motivating his listeners. A talks about how hurtful comparisons can become where we as people always are looking out for what is better, newer and more attractive. By doing this we don’t realize the value of the things we already possess. Also how good it feels to show gratitude towards those things we already have been blessed with. His one nickname is Therapist and that should say enough of his characteristics. He finds a way to sprinkle motivation and a sense of belong as well as being able to relate to his music and words.

He started Dreamville Records in 2007 where he kept introducing new and promising artists who also possess lyrical talent and unique sounds. He always receives praise from other great artists like Jay Z, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Lil Wayne, Kanye West and plenty of others. He never had any “beef” with other rappers because he always stays in his own lane. He will only compliment the craft of others and go on with his day. On a personal level I also relate to much of his personal life and early life, not having grown up with my father just like him. He always reminds himself as well as his listeners of how much beauty there is in life, and to move away from the ideology of how life is “supposed” to be. To be my own young man and my own motivator.

Because of him I started taking on poetry and I have enjoyed it ever since.