Though he’s somehow not quite a household name yet, J. Cole is one of the biggest names in Hip Hop. His third album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, was released late last year and went straight to No. 1 on the Billboard album charts, while also smashing the most first-week-streams record on Spotify (with more than 15 millions plays). Cole’s latest was not only praised by fans and peers; critics also loved the album thanks to its creative music and production and also the MC’s lyrics, which are honest, socially conscious and vulnerable. Cole’s current tour, featuring guests Big Sean, YG and Jeremih, among others, recently hit the venerable Madison Square Garden in New York for a sold-out show. His local stop is looking like it will be the biggest Hip Hop show of the summer and may well sell out.
6:30 p.m. Tuesday. $28-$70.75. Riverbend, 6295 Kellogg Ave., California, riverbend.org.
