Source: Prince Williams / Getty

When discussing the best rappers of this generation, you without a doubt must include J. Cole in the conversation. In the time since he bursted onto the scene with his mixtapes The Warm Up and Friday Night Lights (and respectively The Come Up before that), the Fayetteville, North Carolina native has established himself as one of the most well rounded and well respected MCs in the game. With his lethal pen, concise storytelling and unmatched ability to relate to listeners and make them think deeply, Cole has amassed a cult like following of fans. With over 9 million records sold and two Grammys under his belt, it makes since why his fans and a lot of rap heads in general consider him one of the current GOATs.

They’re not the only ones who feel that way though. In 2023, on his verse on Drake’s ‘First Person Shooter,’ which got him his first Billboard Hot 100 number one (and Drake his 13th), he shared his thoughts on the trendy topic. “Love when they argue the hardest MC. Is it K-Dot, is it Aubrey, or me? We the big three like we started a league, but right now, I feel like Muhammad Ali. Yeah, Muhammad Ali. The one that they call when they sh-t ain’t connectin’ no more, feel like I got a job in I-T.”

Cole’s incredible verse sparked numerous debates across the internet. Was it the verse of the year? Did he wash Drake on the track? Did Cole solidify himself as the current best rapper? One thing that was not in question is the fact that Cole has been on a hall of fame feature run for years. When did it start? We’re not 100% sure but it could possibly be pinpointed with a tweet. In August of 2018, the Born Sinner artist tweeted “Feed me beats. Everything gettin murdered.”

He was not lying. Over the past seven years, every song that Cole has graced his presence with, he’s rapped like the rent was due. While fans have patiently waited for the release of his highly anticipated next album The Fall Off, Cole has continuously kept them fed by delivering masterful guest spots. To give him flowers on his birthday, we thought it would be a good idea to put together a gallery of all (or most) of his features since he posted the above tweet. Whether you like cuts from the Dreamville Revenge of the Dreamers III album, unexpected collaborations with the likes of 21 Savage and Lil Durk or the mega smash ‘First Person Shooter,’ it’s all here! Slide in the comments and let us know which features are your favorites and if we left any joints out! HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY TO J. COLE!