J. Cole

Detroit has played an unsuspecting role in J. Cole’s 2018 chart-topping record KOD, which he dropped by surprise in April. The first artist to be signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label in 2010, the 33-year-old rapper has said that KOD was conceived shortly after taking in Kendrick Lamar’s Detroit performance last year. For the album’s artwork — a painting which depicts children indulging in lean, pills, and cocaine, with the tagline, “This album is in no way intended to glorify addiction” — J.Cole enlisted young Detroit artist Sixmau. This time around, J. Cole will headline and dish out some inspiration with support from Jaden Smith.