In a moment of raw honesty, J. Cole opened up about his latest album, “Might Delete Later,” during his appearance at the Dreamville Fest. Despite his pride in the project, there’s a particular segment that left him feeling remorseful – a track where he aimed shots at fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar.
Reflecting on a Dissonant Verse
The controversial track, “7 Minute Drill,” released as part of his album, stands out for its confrontation towards Lamar. Cole expressed his regret candidly, admitting, “It’s one part of that s— that make me feel like, ‘Man, that’s the lamest s— I ever did in my f—— life.’”
A Prelude to Discord
The roots of this discord trace back to Lamar’s guest verse on “Like That,” a song by rapper Future and producer Metro Boomin. In his bars, Lamar responded to a line from Cole and Drake’s track “First Person Shooter,” where Cole dubbed themselves, Drake, and Lamar as the “Big Three” of rap.
The Fallout of Lamar’s Shots
Following the release of Lamar’s verse, the rap community buzzed with speculation, anticipating responses from Cole and Drake. Lamar’s sharp lyrics stirred controversy, setting the stage for a potential clash between the rap heavyweights.
Attempting a Friendly Jab Gone Awry
Addressing his audience at Dreamville Fest, Cole revealed his intentions to respond to Lamar’s shots in a friendly manner. However, he acknowledged that his attempt didn’t resonate as he hoped, stating, “it didn’t sit right.”
Public Scrutiny and Backlash
Amidst discussions on social media platforms like X, where footage of Cole’s remarks circulated, opinions on the dis track varied widely. Some criticized Cole’s approach, particularly his reference to Lamar’s acclaimed album “To Pimp a Butterfly,” which he described as putting people to sleep.
J. Cole apologizes to Kendrick Lamar for dissing him on ‘7 Minute Drill’ at Dreamville Fest…
“How many of y’all think Kendrick Lamar is one of the greatest ever to pick up a mic”
“I haven’t been sleeping right the last few days… Ib, we taking that diss off streaming… pic.twitter.com/gafW1g6Hw9
— NFR Podcast (@nfr_podcast) April 8, 2024
Wrestling with Internal Conflict
Cole’s candid admission delved deeper into his internal conflict, revealing the pressure he felt to retaliate against Lamar. He confessed to feeling conflicted, torn between personal feelings and external expectations, stating, “the world wants to see blood.”
An Apology and Acknowledgment
Expressing remorse for downplaying Lamar’s contribution to the rap scene, Cole hailed Lamar’s greatness during his onstage confession. His sincere acknowledgment of Lamar’s talent garnered applause from the audience, underscoring mutual respect despite the rift.
The Unanswered Call
While Cole bared his emotions onstage, his counterpart Drake has remained silent regarding the dis. Although Drake subtly alluded to the situation during a recent concert in Florida, the direct response from the Canadian rapper is still awaited.
A Moment of Vulnerability in Hip-Hop
J. Cole’s candid revelation at Dreamville Fest offered a rare glimpse into the complexities of rivalry and regret within the rap industry. As the saga unfolds, fans anticipate whether this moment of vulnerability will lead to reconciliation or further escalation in the ongoing feud.