J. Cole on Drake & Kendrick Feud: ‘Disgusting’ Opportunism & Hip-Hop’s Divides
Raleigh, NC – J. Cole has publicly characterized the backlash leveled against Drake during and after his highly publicized rap battle with Kendrick Lamar as a “whole campaign,” expressing disgust at what he perceived as a coordinated effort to diminish Drake’s legacy. Cole’s remarks, made during a recent interview with Cam’ron on the upcoming episode of the “Talk With Flee” podcast, scheduled for release Tuesday, offer a rare glimpse into the internal perspectives of a key figure within the hip-hop community following one of the genre’s most defining modern rivalries.
According to Cole, the feud quickly devolved into a polarized environment reminiscent of political division. “Right away, the world, it became like politics,” Cole said, as reported by Billboard. “You’re either Democrat or Republican, you’re either Kendrick or you’re Drake and you’ve got to pick a side. And I felt like the ni**a that was disgusted both ways, damn near.”
Cole distinguished himself from those who readily took sides, criticizing the opportunistic nature of some commentary. He specifically objected to individuals who used the conflict as a platform to voice pre-existing grievances against Drake. “It’s disgusting how people tried to apply that opportunity to either show how they really felt about Drake the whole time or just pile on and tear this dude down and create a narrative as if he’s not great,” Cole stated, according to Vibe.
The sentiment comes after a period where Lamar saw a significant surge in cultural capital. Following the release of his album “GNX,” Lamar’s visibility was further amplified by performances such as The L.A. Pop Out: Ken & Friends and a prominent appearance at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, culminating in multiple Grammy Awards wins. This momentum contrasted sharply with the scrutiny faced by Drake, who found himself defending his artistic legacy amid accusations leveled by Lamar.
Cole acknowledged his personal connection to both artists, expressing a conflicted sentiment. “But I also hate that for Drake and I hate how the world turns on him,” he said. Despite the turmoil, Cole voiced support for Drake’s upcoming album, “Iceman,” expressing hope for its success.
The origins of the public dispute trace back to Drake’s appearance on J. Cole’s track “First Person Shooter,” which initially drew Cole into the conflict. Cole later retracted a diss track aimed at Lamar, opting instead to advocate for a more nuanced perspective. This decision, but, drew criticism, as Cole himself admitted in a separate interview with Apple Music’s Nadeska Alexis, as reported by HipHopDX, where he described feeling “disgusted” by the division and the impact on his own reputation.
The Drake-Lamar rivalry, marked by pointed diss tracks and personal attacks, has fundamentally reshaped the landscape of contemporary hip-hop. As Drake prepares to release “Iceman,” the industry awaits to see if he will directly address the fallout from the feud, and whether Cole’s hopes for a strong response will be realized.