It was a chilly winter evening in Frankfurt, Germany, where a young Jermaine Cole, aka J. Cole, was born on January 28, 1985. His mother, Karen Cole, a strong and determined woman, had immigrated to the United States from Haiti, but Jermaine's birth in Germany was a result of his parents' travels.

Jermaine's teenage years were marked by turmoil. He struggled in school, often finding solace in the streets, where he developed a passion for basketball and rap music. His natural charisma and storytelling ability earned him respect among his peers, but his rebellious attitude and lack of direction worried his mother.