Charlotte, NC, based rapper Lute signed to J. Cole’s Dreamville Records in 2015. Lute released his first project, West1996, on February 22, 2012. His debut album and follow-up, West1996 Pt. 2, released in 2017.

Lute is also seen on 704, a collective project by Forever FC. The name “FC” is short XXL’s Freshman Class.

According to his interview with Part Time Wizards, Lute’s dream collaborations consist of partnering with Big K.R.I.T, Anthony Hamilton, J. Cole, King Mez, Project Pat, and most of all Andre 3000.

In an interview with The Take Ovah, Ib, the president and co-owner of Dreamville, J. Cole discovered Lute on 2DopeBoyz.

We found Lute because Cole was on 2DopeBoyz and heard his project West1996. Even then we didn’t sign him.