J. Cole’s Debut LP Scores No. 1 Spot on Billboard 200

After two years in the making, J. Cole dropped his debut album, 'Cole World: The Sideline Story,' last week (Sept. 27) to much fanfare. As a result, the North Carolina native's lauded effort has climbed to the top of the Billboard charts.

Cole, born Jermaine Lamarr Cole, bowed at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 218,000 copies of his LP according to Nielsen Soundscan. He moved past rockers Blink-182, who released their first studio album, 'Neighborhoods,' in nearly eight years and landed at No. 2 with 151,000.

The 26-year-old's release, which has spawned singles 'Work Out' and 'Can't Get Enough,' sits at the top of the charts and celebrates three other accomplishments: biggest debut album from a new artist in 2011, first debut album by a solo artist to debut in the No. 1 position in over 17 months and biggest digital album debut from a new artist since January 2010.

The Roc Nation signee, who welcomed boss Jay-Z on the album cut 'Mr. Nice Watch,' has earned the Brooklyn rhymer's praises. "J Cole's success is testament to amazing artist development and Cole's hard work," Jay-Z said in a statement. "I want to congratulate him on a No. 1 album and more importantly a great body of work."

J. Cole is currently on a promo spree, performing on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' on ABC tonight (Oct. 5) and he'll appear on 'Last Call with Carson Daly' on NBC Oct. 6. The production wiz is also hitting stages across the globe for his Cole World...World Tour, which comes to a close on Dec. 12.