J. Cole Joining Rihanna on ‘Loud’ Tour Dates in North America

J. Cole recently wrapped up a series of European tour dates with Drake, and now the Roc Nation signee will join Rihanna during the North American shows on her Loud tour.

Rihanna first announced the news via Twitter on Friday (March 25), writing, "J.Cole will be joining me to hit the road in N.America and Canada this SUMMER #LOUDtour." The North Carolina rapper then shared the news on his own Twitter account, adding, "What's up Momma.. Yes, I'm goin out with Rihanna, #LOUDtour that is.. Much Love @rihanna Cole World."

Cole will open up for Rihanna on dates throughout the U.S. and Canada. The concert series will kick off on June 4 in Baltimore, and makes stops in cities that include Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Toronto before heading overseas again.

The Loud tour was the subject of controversy early last week when rumors surfaced that Rihanna would be forced to cancel dates due to poor ticket sales. Live Nation chairman Irving Azoff then disputed the rumors, confirming that the pop singer was still on course to sell out most dates.

"64% of tickets for Rihanna's domestic shows have already been sold," he explained. "And right now, they're selling at the rate of 700 a day."

In spite of his hectic tour schedule, Jay-Z's protégé, J. Cole, has yet to drop his highly anticipated debut album. It is expected to see a late 2011 release, and in lieu of several delays, he dropped his most recent mixtape 'Friday Night Lights,' in December. He filmed the video for the mixtape's single, 'In The Morning,' while on tour with Drake in Europe.