Cole Appears to Address Bowing out of 2024 Feud with Kendrick Lamar
J. Cole, the renowned rapper and record producer, has once again caught the attention of his fans with his latest release, “The Off-Season.” The album, which is packed with thoughtful lyrics and impressive beats, has already created quite a buzz in the music industry. But what has really caught the attention of the fans and critics alike is a particular line from the song “95 South” where Cole appears to address bowing out of his ongoing feud with fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar.
The feud between these two talented artists has been brewing for quite some time now. It all started back in 2013 when Kendrick dropped his infamous “Control” verse, where he called out several rappers, including Cole, for being too comfortable and lacking ambition in the industry. Cole responded with his own verse on “Forbidden Fruit,” which was interpreted by many as a diss towards Kendrick. Since then, their rivalry has garnered a lot of attention and has been the subject of many conversations among hip-hop fans.
But in his latest album, it seems like Cole is ready to put an end to this ongoing feud. In “95 South,” he raps, “But see, there’s a difference between accomplishments and astonishments / You n***as popping sh**, I’m the pop in the narrative.” These lyrics can be seen as a subtle dig at Kendrick and his tendency to be more boastful about his successes. However, what caught the attention of many was the line that followed, “We playing the lap when we pass on the joint / I’m passing you spliffs, and not talking joints.”
Many fans and critics are interpreting this as a metaphor for Cole passing the torch to Kendrick and acknowledging him as the better rapper. This line is also reminiscent of “A Tale of 2 Citiez” from Cole’s previous album, “2014 Forest Hills Drive,” where he rapped, “I ain’t telling no lies, these times ain’t the same / They all wanna be famous, and they wanna be saved.”
Furthermore, “95 South” is also symbolic of Cole’s journey in the rap industry. He has always been vocal about his love for basketball, and just like a player on the court, he has been in the game for a long time, putting out hits after hits, and dominating the charts. And now, with “95 South,” he seems to be acknowledging that he is reaching the end of his rap career and is ready to pass on the baton to the next generation of rappers, including Kendrick.
But this is not the first time that Cole has addressed his feud with Kendrick. In 2018, he released “MIDDLE CHILD,” where he rapped, “I’m dead in the middle of two generations / I’m little bro and big bro all at once.” Many fans saw this as a reference to his relationship with Kendrick and how he is stuck between being his competitor and his mentor.
However, despite all the speculations and interpretations, one thing is certain – J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar have immense respect for each other’s talent. They have collaborated on songs like “Forbidden Fruit” and “The Jig Is Up (Dump’n)” and have always spoken highly of each other in interviews. So, it comes as no surprise that Cole would address their feud in his music and put an end to it in a respectful manner.
Moreover, with this apparent truce between the two rappers, it sends a message of unity and growth in the hip-hop community. Instead of fueling feuds and spreading negativity, Cole’s gesture towards Kendrick promotes the idea of supporting and uplifting fellow artists. In a time where there is so much division and hatred, this message is much needed and appreciated.
In conclusion, it is commendable to see J. Cole using his platform to address and potentially put an end to his feud with Kendrick Lamar. This shows not only his maturity as an artist but also as a human being. With “The Off-Season,” Cole has once again proven his skills as a rapper and his ability to spark important conversations through his music. And with his apparent truce with Kendrick, we can only hope for more collaborations and positive vibes in the future.
