J Cole responds to Kendrick Lamar’s diss verse on surprise new album

6 Apr 2024

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J Cole has replied to Kendrick Lamar’s critical verse that targeted him and Drake.

During the month of March, Lamar appeared on a musical collaboration between Future and Metro Boomin called We Don't Trust You.

In a spontaneous moment while performing "Like This", the rapper from Compton rejected the notion that J Cole and Drake are on the same level as him in the music world. Although many refer to Lamar, Cole, and Drake as the "Big Three", the "Humble" artist confidently stated, "I'm bigger than them."

Cole dropped a surprise album called "Might Delete Later" last Friday (April 5th). The album features a response to Lamar on its last track titled "7 Minute Drill".

Cole started off his talk with the mention of a phone call where someone had spoken ill about someone. He then goes on to point out some of Lamar's works such as good kid, mAAd city(2012), Mr Morale & the Big Steppers (2022), To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) and 2017's DAMN.

I grew up in a place called the Ville, so I can handle stressful situations. The person I'm referring to used to perform live shows, but has lost popularity like the TV show The Simpsons. Their first work was great, but their most recent work has been terrible. The second piece they produced was boring, but it received a lot of praise. Their third piece was amazing and was their peak of success. I was right behind them during their success, but now it's my turn to shine.

As the track progresses, Cole shifts his focus to Lamar's "The Heart" sequence, a compilation of five parts that Lamar has been releasing periodically for the past 10 years.

Cole raps that he produces one verse that touches the heart every 30 months or so. If he wasn't using his verses to diss, then there wouldn't be much to talk about.

Next, he mentions that he typically has a pleasant connection with Lamar, causing him to feel unsure about using too intense lyrics against him. "Just because we're related doesn't mean I have to attack him in my music. However, if needed, I will put him in his place on this microphone," Cole explains.

Lamar mentioned the commonly discussed topic among hip-hop enthusiasts about who among him, Drake or Cole is the most skilled rapper in his original verse.

As he rapped, "We, the significant trio, initiated a league," he suddenly shifted his focus and criticized Cole and Drake's joint song from the previous year titled "First Person Shooter".

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"Come on, join me and stop making hidden insults. I'm looking for a challenge with this 'First Person Shooter' game, hopefully it has different difficulty levels. I don't care about the top three players, it's all about me." Lamar boasted angrily.

Until now, Drake has appeared to only reply to Lamar's verse during his ongoing tour by conversing with his audience.

As per the recording from his concert in Sunrise, Florida on March 25th, Drake stated that many individuals have been inquiring about his well-being. He then proceeded to convey that he wants his audience to depart the venue feeling the same way he feels, and ultimately, to cherish themselves.

"Do you understand how I'm feeling? I'm walking tall with my head held high, my back straight, standing firmly on both feet... and feeling confident that wherever I go, no one can bring me down. No one on this planet can mess with me and my life," he exclaimed. "And that's the kind of energy I want all of you to embody when you leave here tonight."

If you want to know more about the ongoing conflict between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, you can find a detailed analysis here.