Fayetteville, North Carolina – In a surprising turn of events, rapper J Cole publicly apologized for his recent diss track aimed at fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar during the Dreamville Festival in North Carolina. The controversial song, titled 7 Minute Drill, was a response to Lamar’s verse on the hit single Like That, where Lamar asserted his dominance in the rap game.
During his performance at the festival, Cole admitted feeling regret about the song’s content, describing his response as “lame” and “goofy.” He went on to express his remorse for the track, acknowledging that the past two days had been difficult for him as he reflected on his actions.
The feud between Cole and Lamar dates back to last year when Cole suggested that he, Drake, and Lamar were the current “big three” in hip-hop. Lamar, in a fiery verse on Like That, rebutted by declaring that there was no “big three – it’s just big me.” The exchange escalated further as Cole criticized Lamar’s latest album and compared his decline in success to “the Simpsons.”
Despite initially trying to keep his diss track friendly in tone, Cole ultimately realized that the lyrics did not align with his true intentions. He praised Lamar’s talent and contributions to hip-hop, emphasizing Lamar’s status as one of the greatest in the genre.
Cole’s introspective moment on stage led him to promise to remove or update 7 Minute Drill from streaming services, demonstrating a commitment to de-escalate the situation. The rapper acknowledged the pressure he felt to engage in a back-and-forth with Lamar, attributing it to external expectations of “war time” in the industry.
This recent incident is not the first time that a rapper has retracted a diss track after release. In 2011, early in Cole’s career, he faced a similar situation with veteran New York MC Canibus. Canibus apologized for accusing Cole of disrespect in a track titled J Clone, recognizing the need to take responsibility for his actions and apologize for his behavior in the hip-hop community.
In light of these events, Cole’s willingness to own up to his mistake and offer a public apology showcases a level of maturity and introspection in the rap industry that is not often seen. It serves as a reminder of the complexities that come with navigating public feuds and the importance of maintaining respect and integrity in the music community.