Jay-Z Verse Still Absent From J.Cole's Roc Nation Album

Though a collaboration between Roc Nation CEO Jay-Z and his new protégé, J. Cole, has long been speculated, time is running short.

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J.Cole invited reporters to an intimate listening party on Wednesday to preview his debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story, due out next month. The record will features vocals from Drake and Trey Songz, with producers Danjahandz and NO I.D. both providing contributions. Notably absent from the record is Jay-Z.
 
The rapper has until Aug. 20 to put the finishing touches on his album, which could mean an 11th hour collaboration. According to MTV, J.Cole has set aside one track and left the third verse open – just in case. Still, he won’t be heartbroken if the project doesn’t come to fruition.

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“Nobody owes me anything,” he was quoted as saying. “Jay-Z doesn’t owe me a verse because I signed to him.”
 
The young North Carolina rapper appeared on Hov’s The Blueprint 3 track “A Star is Born” in 2009. J.Cole is the first rapper to be signed to the new label, with his debut LP hitting stores Sept. 27.