The Real Reason J. Cole Apologized and Removed His DISS Track on Kendrick Lamar #157 

If you think J Cole was "scared" then I don't have anything to add to that simplistic view of this. But when it comes to the bigger picture, here's exactly why this on brand and one of the most authentic, yet hardest decisions we've seen an artist in the spotlight make... He's been slowly saying that side is less important to him. He's been telling us. That's why he said this is the first time he got tested. That was his dream coming into the game, and because he didn't have to get out there it could continue the habit of rapping those types of bars here and there. But when the moment came, he had to decide "Am I really this guy who doesn't care about this stuff anymore or has it been a facade?"...because stepping back in this moment means he CAN'T rap those types of bars anymore and it's official...that dream he originally had is done with. So I see why it can seem like it's not on brand in terms of OG J Cole...but I don't think people understand how serious he was about the new version of himself he's been showing us until now. Again, listen to the bars...he's been struggling in his raps and contradicting himself for at least 2-3 years when it comes to being a rap warrior fighting for #1 vs his desire to not care about any of that - people just weren't listening/taking him seriously. Now with all that said...the big misstep was the fact he said something in the first place. It was a lose/lose at that point, because then he had to choose between losing internally or losing externally. If he never responded, this would've blown over like the Control verse, etc. But since he did, it looks like he's pump faking.

I don’t think his decision is completely on brand for him to not to compete because, he’s been pushing this narrative in his music for years about him being the goat and how he’s ready for smoke etc. He expressed his desire to be the goat and prove that he’s the best from his Friday night mixtape to his Might Delete Later tape. The world mainly wanted to see Drake respond but objectively people believe that J Cole would give Kendrick a run for his money in a battle more than Drake. I think people wouldn’t care about this if he didn’t keep inviting the energy of competing and him claiming that he would smoke other rappers. It’s more so not standing on what you claim to be than it is about being tough to me

Kendrick is Prince Drake is Mike J cole is Marley

The Jay Z diss to 50 Cent happened at Summer Jam. It was late at night. Lol

The apology was a much bigger story than the battle. Brilliant

He did it with Diggy Simmons

He really put himself into the beef that was marked for drake more then cole but him responding made me respect him but taking it back im like iight whatever

It’s about having much respect for a brother. If you listen to the track he didn’t want to diss him in the first place. He said in the song he was hesitant and kept paying him respect in the song. I feel he was pressured and later regretted doing it. The apology was genuine.

J Cole should have stayed out of it in the first place. But once you step into the ring, don't back out. Finish the fight and then move on. The apology was weird imo. It would have been more respectful if he would have apologized after Kendrick responded. He wants to quit in the middle of a fight that he arguably started and that's what I have a problem with. It was a weak move.

I was waiting for this video!! Love y'all insighs

That Damien Ritter take was trash… Tory Lanez VS Joyner Lucas was a friendly competitive battle where both parties said personal shit and researched each other. They both said it was fun. 🤷🏾‍♂️

Woulda loved to see a friendly beef where they don't drag eachother thru the mud but compete at the highest level

J Cole is real Stand Up ✊🏾

I respectfully disagree. Where is the accountability? He’s been subbing Kendrick for years now and claiming he’s the greatest rapper alive. He got tested, responded and the response was NOT good. Then he apologizes. His apology was disingenuous.

HE GOT INTO THE RING AND TOOK A KNEE AFTER A FEW JABS ....NO EXCUSES

As much as I’d like to think that this is real, I’m more inclined to believe that this is part of an elaborate setup for the narrative behind the “Fall off”. He’s been talking about it for a while now. Public statements like this, regardless of whose side you’re on, will inevitably drive online traffic. And we know the algorithms love to see what’s behind the traffic of a trending topic. I think there’s at least a bit of clever marketing going on here

Troll award of the Year goes to Cole, bru

I’m a cole fan but cole did good with brand management lol we make every excuse in the book for cole. Cole talks a lot of I’m the best battle rap talk missy doesn’t. So when it’s time to spare he through a shot than leave the ring 🤦🏾‍♂️ I’m still like cole but he took a capital L. He should’ve responded

Cole missed a chance to show that "rap beefs don't always have to end in violence but at the same time I do believe the apology aligns with his brand n he is too big to really be damaged by this

it's crazy ya'll brought up that middle child line, i was just thinkin about that earlier!

personally if it was a marketing move it is genius ! i do think it was, it ties into the fall off. but then people will love him again once he shits on his whole album lol !

J. Cole if he stays true to this decision is what a real man looks like. How many times on wax goes off the rails and someone gets hurt. Everybody want the blood sport until someone dies then it's all tears and sadness. If J. Cole stands on this, it might be the best thing for hip hop. Are we black men or Mandingo?

LA, hasn't been too nice to rappers that may be why. That could have easily made him a target coming to The West. The sad truth 💯

12:40 Sean makes a good point and "Ego Strip" would be a great title for Cole's next single. He could even retitle the album to something like *The Fallout* with clips of ppl trashing him and talk about how he's grown and believes he made the right decision. Then retire and go on his life journey. That's the only way out of this.

The problem is you can't say you the best, call for smoke, then when you get it bow down.

i’ve withdrew because he knew it’s more than beef. this isn’t just some beef this is the start of a rebellion.

It's a cup half empty half full situation. You can see it as him taking the higher road and staying true to his values, or you could view it as him being weak. Either way, you're right.

that analogy of Cole goin bak to the house is funny but real solid

Cole did something that's really interesting his mentality shows a difference in how the east & west coasts views battling verses the south because everyone I've seen in the media from the south sees what he did as commendable while people from the east & the west Hip hop fans look at it as weak

ALREADY CAPTURED MAD STREAMS FOR THE PROJECT BECAUSE OF THAT TRACK,, NOW THAT EVERYONE HAS HEARD IT , TIME TO GET BACK INTO CHARACTER.

Kohrey has a point if this was a marketing feat. it really is genius at htis point in all 3s careers...moreso Coleworld

J coles best songs where outside of the 7 minute. I'm not even a cole fan but I listened in and it was amazing

I went off the top and freestyled🎉 my 8 diss tracks I made. But what I did is uploaded them to my 2nd RU-vid channel, not my OAC channel. Didn't even try to get the disstracks on distributor yet bcuz they tell u can't use other artist name when u release a track.

Nobody called for Cole to battle, Cole called on the beef himself. He’s been talking for years that he would destroy every emcee. He’s a liar.

Kendrick never wanted 🥩 wit Cole, this is the art of war , separating your enemies is a strategy. Now Drake is on a 🏝️ looking like the main course

Classic beef for sport was Tory vs Joyner. Which elevated both of them

Well now these other rappers know not to try him,he's definitely about that life if need be.

Only problem I see in him doing this is he rap like he the Greatest, talks lyrically being better than everyone and all the macho rap stuff just to punk out? It’s like seeing a gangster rapper who talks killer talk then lets a dude slap him online and the next thing he does is go online and say he sorry and he hopes the dude that slapped him will forgive him for making him angry. It’s just bad optics smh

I loekey dont think nun he sayin is true. I think he followed the voice of media/the people and when they said it was lame he took it back bc he for the first time in his career felt fear. Losing a beef would definitely hurt his position

Everyone mad a J. Cole for being being him but ain't mad at drake for not responding yet. Yal wildin

Cole left but by him leaving already gives KDot the W over him. Now it’s up to Drizzy

I think it's politics J Cole had to do that you have the Dreamvill Festival in Raleigh NC every year make millions and he is one of the owners of the Charlotte Hornets if you get in a beef like that they don't care if it's hip hop they might cut him loose

Jay Z is the only person that could devise a strategy of this magnitude! Because of multiple factors including the name of the project, the fact that he made it a project with multiple records instead of just one diss track, and the timing of the release I believe it is all marketing for the festival, the project, the tour and future endeavors. Was apologizing on brand for Jermaine Cole the human, yes but I don’t believe this was on brand for j cole the rapper. Especially after listening to the project. There are multiple songs where he is dissing rappers in general. So for him to say that “7 minute drill” is the only track that he felt uneasy about leads me to believe he only apologized because it is Kendrick and he really wants to compete with him not against him.

I respectfully disagree, if I say I’m the best or the greatest, i.e., “Love when they argue the hardest MC/ Is it K-Dot? Is it Aubrey? Or me?/ We the big three like we started a league, but right now, I feel like Muhammad Ali” Stand on it. The problem is Cole is overly likable. Struggling college kid with a dream that made it. Great story!!! Even though story is great and he is really likable he does not get to change the foundation of rap being competitive!! Especially when telling people to test my pen.

When shit hits the fam are you still a fan

Jay cole Gave Kendrick Lamar a run for his money dropping a diss song with a Album put Kendrick Lamar back in retirement .

*this been Cake Wars from day 1 🎂🎂🎂 Cole was the only real rapper on that side, he ruined the whole war 😂 it's not too late though, he can still rap!!!!*

Ay if he doesn't want to do it then he doesn't want to do it that's all even though he made mistake by dropping the 7 min drill. Besides he's going to be 40 and he still fw him. He gave his respects to him of becoming one of the greatest rapper that's there which it's true. Now if someone diss on him that's he doesn't like then that's a different story as well as Dreezy and Kdot. They had beef for a while now. He doesn't want all that negativity and pressure on him so that's why he apologize and I'll respect that. Now I'll be disappointed but I won't be mad about it. Look I'm not a huge fan of any of them but I still fw all three of them even though new Dreezy is something different. I'm sorry but I won't someone punch in me mouth. I just can't but I'll apologize after. So we're just only waiting for Dreezy's response but until now, we just wait. Now as for Em and Weezy that's another story. Especially Em. Idk if Kendrick want to mess with Em.

I think it's their way to bring Hip Hop back into the conversation. I don't think anyone is actually mad besides Drake 🤣. But everyone is making money.

Nah the apology forces Kendrick have to make a conscious not emotional decision to reply. Because before there was no real beef between them, but now Cole has punched Kendrick. Will Kendrick turn the other cheek or choose violence .

He asked for the smoke for 3. years saying you the best and then you fold at the 1st hint of it I'm a Cole fan but we don't believe all this Ali talk

U cant tarnish his career. He is alot more lyrical that j cole, he also didnt want to push the violence narrative that the elites which kendrick is apart of, he doesnt want to be apart of that agenda. And u cant beef with people that soul they soul without consequences. Unless u sold yo soul, u cant do that like frl. Why u think he said "might delete later" dont act like j cole isnt one of the gods of rap like frl. Not a goat cuz goat is sacrificial, never be a goat, be a great.

Drake currently digging up dirt on Kdot rn smh

It’s clear who this guy stands for

Ans drake takes the biggest L Because on person who was potentially on his side is gone and he still has to face future metro ross ect ect outside of kendrick And alot of the ammo that drake would of used cole alreasy said and then invalidated by saying its some lame shit to say... He took bullets out of drakes gun...

If Drake can still have a career and relevancy after the Story of Adidon and his albums and lyrical quality have gotten progressively worse, I think Cole will be alright lol (No pun intended by the way)

And that’s completely fine with y’all saying But. Don’t get on tracks talking about you the best and you smoking rappers and nobody want it with you PERIOD!!!!

J.Cole Understands Mental health and the effects of depression

Yeah, I disagree

Man j-fold can keep his cap raps

Calling the apology "humbled" after capping on an entire project is next level NPC shit

He already slaughtered both of them. He scared off drake and made Jcole forfeit. Yall can't be ignorant the man ran 😂

It’s so wack that everybody talks about this bs apology and nobody talks about his transphobic bars smdh

What’s even the point of this conversation man 😂

How can u say your the #1 artist and you the goat, but ducking lyrical competition

He shouldn't speak on being the greatest anymore💁🏿‍♂️

J Cole it’s done reputation roll out he came to other rapper and j Cole when after lil pump not Kendrick

You can't scream I'm him on every record demolishing your competition for the past years and then say that he doesn't care about none of this. He is the one that fought so admittedly about being the best. Now that he heard them big stepper boots coming his way and he backed out. That shows that he's the biggest false prophet of all. He's done talking bout he Muhammad Ali he ain't even Ken Norton 🤣 😂 😒 🤧 😅😂😂

If drake responds and he sons drake he still 2 v 1'd them

kendrick, drake & cole are trash 🗑️ to have them in your top 3 is sad

J Cole went full Will Smith. It’s funny how they never say sorry in the moment. They always apologizing after they see the negative reception.

Yall trippin lmao this is some backwards logic stan type shit, yall bias is showing! Kendrick does not take an L here, if anyone does its Cole, half of me respects the move, the other half is beyong disappointed, like when Canibus pulled out the notepad against dizaster disappointed lol get real guys, even if it IS on brand for Cole, to people that arent as familiar with him its a clear L no debate

Yall must really dont listen to J.Cole music he has been talking like the big bad wolf the last 3 years…The fans didnt put this on him, He put this on us No Diddy….it Dont kill his career but he can never be considered the #1 Rapper or Better than Drake & Kendrick