Aaron Tyrese Cole[3] (born February 28, 1999) is an American Christian hip hop recording artist and songwriter. He began his career at the age of four. He signed to Gotee Records, a record label founded by Christian hip hop performer Toby McKeehan. Cole is known the best for his songs "Right on Time", "One More Day" and "Like You".
Aaron Cole | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Aaron Tyrese Cole |
| Also known as | Aaron Cole |
| Born | February 28, 1999 Bristol, Virginia[1] |
| Origin | Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres | Christian hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | Gotee[2] |
| Website | iamaaroncole |
Early and personal life
Cole was raised in a musical family, where his father had his own recording studio in their apartment. Around the time of his high school years, Cole discovered that music was his true vocation, and he wanted to become a professional rapper. "I remember in junior high just enjoying being a regular kid, but I would get picked on because I wasn't smoking, drinking, or getting in trouble," says Cole. "One afternoon I came home and told my dad what was going on and why, and he shared that he thought I was called for a purpose and that this calling would cost me to not be like everyone else. It was that moment that I encountered God for the first time for myself, and I knew I was born to do this and began writing and putting my own songs together."[4] Cole currently resides in Bristol, VA.
Music career
Cole began his career at the age of four. One day, his father wrote him a song called "Jesus is the Rock". It was also the title of his first CD, released in July 2003. Throughout his career he bridged the gap between rapping and singing. He has since released a total of six independent projects. He has featured on songs by Hollyn and DJ Maj. In 2016, Cole was inducted into Christian Hip Hop's top media outlet Rapzilla's Freshman Class and noted by Essence Magazine as one of 16 gospel artists to watch.[5] Cole signed to Gotee Records in 2017.[6][7]
Discography
Albums
- Jesus Is the Rock (2003)
- 4th Period (2012)
- Not By Chance (2019)
- Two Up Two Down (2021)
EPs
- Fifteen Is the New XV (2014)
- If I Can Be Honest (2016)
- Virginia Boy (2018)
- The Other Side (2018)
- AOTY (2020)
- Only U Forever (2020)
- 4 (2020)
- Signing Bonus (2024)
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | Album | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ [8] | US Christ Air. [9] | |||||||||||||
| 2014 | "15"[10] | — | — | Fifteen is the New XV | ||||||||||
| 2017 | "Facts"[11] | — | — | Non-album singles | ||||||||||
| "Y.C.H.M.B."[12] | — | — | ||||||||||||
| "Right on Time" (featuring TobyMac)[13] | 28 | 27 | ||||||||||||
| "Time Square"[14] | — | — | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | "One More Day"[15] | 34 | 22 | Virginia Boy | ||||||||||
| "Off My Back"[16] | — | — | Cole Season (Playlist) | |||||||||||
| "Motions"[17] | — | — | ||||||||||||
| "Down Like That" (featuring Koryn Hawthorne)[18] | — | — | ||||||||||||
| "Yo Handz" (featuring Caleb Cruise) | — | — | ||||||||||||
| "Exclusive" | — | — | ||||||||||||
| "Promised Land" | — | — | ||||||||||||
| "Mama Said" | — | — | ||||||||||||
| "Making History" | — | — | ||||||||||||
| "Patient With Me" | — | — | ||||||||||||
| "Greed Money Power" (featuring Derek Minor and Beleaf)[19] | — | — | ||||||||||||
| 2019 | "Fasho"[20] | — | — | Not By Chance | ||||||||||
| "There for Me"[21] | — | — | ||||||||||||
| 2020 | "Only U" (with Terrian) | — | — | Two Up Two Down | ||||||||||
| 2021 | "Like You" (with Tauren Wells and TobyMac) | — | — | |||||||||||
| "Miracle" | — | — | ||||||||||||
| "Above Me" (featuring Parris Chariz) | — | — | ||||||||||||
| "Leave Me" (featuring J. Moss) | — | — | ||||||||||||
| "Front Row" | — | — | ||||||||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||||
Other charted songs
| Year | Single | Chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ [8] | |||
| 2018 | "Starts With Me" (with TobyMac) | 36 | The Elements |
Awards
GMA Dove Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Aaron Cole | New Artist of the Year | Won |
| 2020 | Not By Chance | Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year | Nominated |
| 2022 | "Above Me" (featuring Parris Chariz) | Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year | Nominated |
| Two Up Two Down | Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year | Nominated |