J. Cole's NYC Debut Kicks Off World Tour, Jay-Z Doesn't Owe Me a Verse

J. Cole's first album, Cole World: The Sideline Story, is due Sept. 27 as the Jay-Z protégé rapper kicks off his world tour ahead of the release, starting Aug.21 in New York City.

Marching around 38 venues in North America, Cole's world tour will come to its U.S. finale on Oct. 25 in the City's Best Buy Theater, moving into a tour in Europe.

With his much buzzed debut album, will Cole take over the world, dethroning Jay-Z from the throne?

The North Carolina MC is rather humble about it, thinking of himself as an underdog and even comparing himself to Daniel Rudy Ruettiger from the 1993 film Rudy. In the movie, Rudy dreamed of playing football at the University of Notre Dame but faced immeasurable odds due to his small frame and lack of natural ability, says MTV. Not until the waning moments of the final game did Rudy suit up and achieve his dream.

I'm mad nervous, said J. Cole in the first of two listening party for his debut album last night in NYC. The entire album was played, to the 30+ crowd directly from his Macbook.

The album is anchored by songs like Work Out, In the Morning and Lights Please, which revolves around heartbreak, triumph and good old-fashioned storytelling, reports MTV.

The song titles and lyrics have been hidden by the hip hop artist, who suggested the chances for them to change by the album's release.

Lyrically J.Cole reaches the level of fan's expectations but it's the innovative content, increasingly versatile flow, and signature raw delivery applied to Cole World: The Sideline Story that really makes this album standout amongst all past J.Cole releases, said AkiyahB on a fan site jcolefans.com.

J. Cole - Work Out

Cole released his first mixtape in 2007 which found its way throughout music circles, stated J Cole's website. He was quickly signed with Roc Nation after Jay-Z.

With the ability to write thought provoking songs packed with sharp wit and clever lines, Cole is able to connect with listeners in a way that is seldom seen among MCs today, says the website. Cole's unique abilities have led him to successful tours with Rihanna and Drake, an appearance on JAY-Z's A Star Is Born (Blueprint 3), as well as the covers of the Source, XXL, and being named one of BET's Rising Icons.

Many have been curious about whether Cole secured a featured verse from Jay-Z . While the answer remains not yet, there is still chance for a last-minute surprise collaboration from Jay-Z before the album is turned in on August 20.

Cole already has a track set aside in case the God MC decides to jump in.

Jay-Z doesn't owe me a verse because I signed to him, says J. Cole.

But I don't want to have to answer questions about it for the next year, either.

According to jcolemusic.com, here is the itinerary of Cole's World Tour:

August 23rd Vancouver, BC (Vogue)

August 25th Edmonton, AB (Edmonton Events Centre)

August 27th Calgary, AB (Flames Central)

August 30th Saskatoon, SK (Odeon Theatre)

August 31st Winnipeg, MB (Garrick Center)

September 3rd Toronto, ON (Sound Academy)

September 6th London, ON (Music Hall London)

September 7th Montreal, QC (Club Soda)

September 10th Orlando, FL (The Beacham Theatre)

September 11th Miami, FL (Revolutions)

September 14th Houston, TX (Warehouse Live)

September 15th New Orleans, LA (House of Blues)

September 16th Dallas, TX (Southside Music Hall)

September 17th Austin, TX (Emos)

September 19th Denver, CO (The Ogden)

September 20th Albuquerque, NM (Sunshine Theater)

September 21st Phoenix, AZ (The Venue)

September 22nd Los Angeles, CA (Club Nokia)

September 23rd San Francisco, CA (Regency)

September 29th Winston Salem, NC (Winston Salem State University)

October 2nd Atlanta, GA (Tabernacle)

October 4th Cleveland, OH (House of Blues)

October 6th Kalamazoo, MI (Kalamazoo State Theatre)

October 7th Detroit, MI (Royal Oak)

October 8th Milwaukee, WI (The Rave)

October 9th Chicago, IL (House of Blues)

October 12th Philadelphia, PA (Electric Factory)

October 13th Charlotte, NC (Fillmore)

October 14th Norfolk, VA (Old Dominion University)

October 15th Elizabeth City, NC (Elizabeth City State University)

October 16th Myrtle Beach, SC (House of Blues)

October 19th Washington, DC (Fillmore)

October 20th Baltimore, MD (Sound Stage)

October 21st Albany, NY (Armory)

October 22nd Worcester, MA (Palladium)

October 23rd Providence, RI (Lupo's)

October 25th New York, NY (Best Buy Theatre)

October 31st Liverpool, UK (Echo Arena/TinieTempah UK Arena Tour)

November 1st New Castle, UK (Metro Radio Arena/TinieTempah UK Arena Tour)

November 2nd Glasgow, UK (SECC/TinieTempah UK Arena Tour)

November 4th London, UK (O2 Arena/TinieTempah UK Arena Tour)

November 5th Bournemouth, UK (BIC/TinieTempah UK Arena Tour)

November 6th Birmingham, UK (LG Arena/TinieTempah UK Arena Tour)

November 7th Manchester, UK (MEN Arena/Tinie Tempah UK Arena Tour)

November 8th Cardiff, UK (Motorpoint Arena/ Tinie Tempah UK Arena Tour)

November 11th London, UK (Electric Ballroom)

November 12th Birmingham, UK (Institute)

November 13th Cardiff, UK (Solus)

November 14th South Hampton, UK (University)

November 17th Glasgow, UK (ABC)

November 18th Liverpool, UK (Academy)

November 19th Sheffield, UK (Academy)

November 20th Manchester, UK (Academy 2)

November 22nd Cambridge, UK (Junction)

November 24th Bristol, UK (Academy)

November 26th Norway (Waterfront / UEA)

November 30th Brussels, Belgium (VK*)

December 1st Amsterdam, Holland (Melkweg)

December 2nd Germany (TBD)

December 3rd Copenhagen, Denmark (VEGA)

December 4th Malmo, Sweden (Babel)

December 6th Gothenburg, Sweden (Parken)

December 7th Stockholm, Sweden (Nalen)

December 8th Oslo, Norway (Rockefeller)

December 10th Berlin, Germany (TBD)

December 12th Paris, France (La Cigale)