Canton Poet Featured on New J. Cole Album

Eve L. Fontes, a hip-hop artist from Canton, Ohio, appears on a track from the latest J. Cole record.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 11:14am

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An abstract illustration using bold, jagged black silhouettes and high-contrast solid colors to conceptually represent the collaboration between a hip-hop artist and producer.A Canton poet's guest appearance on a new album by a popular rapper shines a light on emerging talent in the local music scene.Canton Today

Eve L. Fontes, a hip-hop artist from Canton, Ohio, has received acclaim for her guest appearance on a song from the new J. Cole album. Fontes, who performs under the name 'Cry Like a Man', is not new to the hip-hop scene but her collaboration with the popular rapper has brought her additional recognition.

Why it matters

The inclusion of a lesser-known artist like Fontes on a high-profile album by an established star like J. Cole provides an opportunity for exposure and can help boost the profile of emerging talent in the local Canton music community.

The details

Fontes, who has been active in the Canton hip-hop scene for several years, was invited by J. Cole to contribute vocals to a track on his latest album. Her appearance on the record has been praised by critics as adding a thoughtful, poetic element to the song.

  • Eve L. Fontes' guest spot appears on J. Cole's new album, released on March 29, 2026.

The players

Eve L. Fontes

A hip-hop artist from Canton, Ohio who performs under the name 'Cry Like a Man'.

J. Cole

A popular American rapper who has invited Fontes to appear on a track from his latest album.

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The takeaway

The collaboration between the established rapper J. Cole and the up-and-coming Canton artist Eve L. Fontes highlights the potential for lesser-known talent to gain exposure through high-profile partnerships in the music industry.