The Mentor: Jay Z. The Protégé: J Cole.
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The Stories Of 18 Mentors And Their Musical Protégés

4. The Mentor: Jay Z. The Protégé: J Cole.
When he was just 17, J Cole stood outside of Jay-Z’s Roc the Mic Studio for three hours to hand him a track - but Jay snubbed him. Who would have thought that a few years later Hov would end up signing the rap hopeful to his label and act as his mentor. During his tour last year, Jay Z handed J Cole a very special gift; "That on your neck is my original Roc chain and it’s yours," he told J Cole. Picture: Getty