Dave East has credited J. Cole for improving his recording process for his upcoming album.
Speaking to HipHopDX at the 2023 Grammy Awards, the New York rapper recalled the time Cole pulled up to his video shoot and how he helped him out in the studio when it comes to using his vocals.
“I took a lot from that,” he said. “Just his whole energy, you know what I mean? For him to be who he is at the level he’s at and give me that game like that, give me that little bit of advice just to help my own shit out.”
He added: “I definitely apply it to what I got going on. My new album, you definitely going to hear some of that in there. But yeah, big shout out to J. Cole.”
J. Cole showed up at Dave East’s video shoot in Los Angeles in 2020, with DMX also making a separate appearance. In a previous interview with Apple Music‘s Ebro Darden, East explained how Cole made a point about his rap voice.
“I got a chance to lock in with J. Cole, just me and him in the studio with the engineer,” he said. “And he asked that same question, like, ‘Bro, I’m a fan of what you do, I really respect your pen, but you rap with one tone.’ And I really sat and listened to myself, and a lot of my shit is one tone.
“Me and him in the studio testing tones. He’s just really seeing how high I can take my voice, how low I can take it, and then he just was like, ‘Apply that to your music. Watch the difference.’
“That’s just something I gotta keep working at, keep working at. I think it will be something dope to add to my music.”
During his conversation with HipHopDX, Dave East also revealed his top three mixtapes of all time, listing off Styles P‘s Ghost in the Machine, Jadakiss‘ The Champ Is Here and any one of Lil Wayne‘s tapes.
He also said Nas‘ “You Won’t See Me Tonight” featuring Aaliyah was the first verse he learned off by heart, and recited it flawlessly off by heart.
Dave East released his debut album Survival on Nas’ Mass Appeal Records and Def Jam Recordings in 2019 with features from Rick Ross, Lil Baby, Gunna, Fabolous, DJ Premier and more.
If you’re a boring artist, Cole is the definitive blueprint for your next move. I don’t know how he made it this far.
You think Dave East is boring? Listen to his style on NYCHA and Keisha. Tell me he ain’t nice with the pen. He’s got an ill ass flow, reminiscent of that raw 2000 era New York rap shit. He does have a similar delivery on a lot of tracks, but so do some of the best. Like Styles P. You know what to expect from them cats. I respect them for staying true to their sound after all these years. I don’t want to hear them switch up their style based on what’s popular right now.
Huge Dave East fan so I know all those songs, but he fell off after signing to Def Jam. I think he knows hes cold in these streets bc he’s seeking help now. Hope he comes through with whatever is next.
I agree. East too dope but I feel he’s try to find his thing. Lil Wayne was dope as a teen rapper but when he really found himself he inspired countless rappers and flows.
You listen to him? Lil Baby to me is boring but that’s only because every song sounds the same. Quavo without Migos is kinda boring because every melody and flow is similar. Takeoff (RIP) and Offset flows change over different beats but their essence are still there.
meanwhile jcole raps in one tone also
That part
You can always learn something from engineering. Has nothing to do with the bars
You can always learn something from engineering. Has nothing to do with the bars