Current:Home > MarketsJ. Cole explains exit from Kendrick Lamar, Drake beef in 'Port Antonio' -WealthSync Hub
J. Cole explains exit from Kendrick Lamar, Drake beef in 'Port Antonio'
View
Date:2025-04-15 16:11:41
Rapper J. Cole shocked fans when he graciously exited the escalating beef between rap stars Drake and Kendrick Lamar, which quickly turned gruesome. Now, he's finally addressing the move on a new track, "Port Antonio."
In April, at the height of the beef and in response to Lamar's "Like That" verse, Cole released the track 7 Minute Drill but quickly backtracked. Onstage at his Dreamville Festival in North Carolina days later, he apologized to Lamar and said his diss track was a "lame" and "goofy" decision. The move may have been for the best, as the vicious battle was just getting started.
Cole has been active on features in recent months, including with A$AP Rocky, but this may be the first new track since he dropped out of the bitter exchange.
The second half of the 5:16-long track addresses fan chatter that the decision took him out of the conversation as one of the best rappers of his generation. "I'm smirkin' at (people) tryna besmirch mine," he raps, later adding: "They strip me of my spot, and now I'm finally free."
His exit, he says, was to avoid the negativity being pushed by people wanting to see "blood" or those set to profit off of the beef. "I pulled the plug because I've seen where that was 'bout to go," he raps. "They wanted blood, they wanted clicks to make they pockets grow."
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
All 9 Drake and Kendrick Lamar2024 diss songs, including 'Not Like Us' and 'Part 6'
He raps that the choice to bow out was also about preserving relationships: "They see this fire in my pen and think I'm dodgin' smoke / I wouldn't have lost a battle, dawg, I woulda lost a bro."
And for those speculating that he is on Lamar's side, or that there is now bad blood between him and Drake over Cole's handling of the beef (and his feature with Rocky), the "Might Delete Later" rapper clears the air.
Draketakes aim at A$AP Rocky and Rick Ross in 'Family Matters'
"They say I'm pickin' sides, ay, don't you lie on me ... / Then start another war, ay, Drake, you'll always be my (guy)," he raps. "I ain't ashamed to say you did a lot for me, my (guy) / (forget) all the narratives."
The rapper is otherwise busy preparing to drop his long-awaited album "The Fall Off," which has been pushed back with a release date yet to be announced.
veryGood! (4)
Related
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- New York court rejects Trump's appeal of gag order in hush money trial
- Appeals court upholds ruling requiring Georgia county to pay for a transgender deputy’s surgery
- The Golden Bachelorette Reveals Its First Leading Lady Ahead of Fall Premiere
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- 'Golden Bachelorette' has been revealed! Fan-favorite Joan Vassos gets second chance at love
- North Carolina bill to curb mask-wearing in protests could make it illegal for medical reasons too
- Gwyneth Paltrow Reveals Daughter Apple Martin's Unexpected Hobby in 20th Birthday Tribute
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Gayle King turns heads on first Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover at age 69
Ranking
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- 3 people in Louisiana died, including an unborn baby, due to dangerous storms
- Seriously, don't drink the raw milk: Social media doubles down despite bird flu outbreak
- Meme stocks are roaring again. This time may be different
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- What is Ashley Madison? How to watch the new Netflix doc 'Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal'
- Judge tosses Republican lawsuit that sought to declare Arizona’s elections manual invalid
- Mexican citizens were traveling to work at a Florida farm when a pickup hit their bus, killing 8
Recommendation
$73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
Lo Bosworth Reveals Where She Stands With Her Laguna Beach Castmates
Premier League standings: What to know about Manchester City-Arsenal title race, schedule
Alice Munro, Nobel laureate revered as short story master, dies at 92
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
John Krasinski Shares Sweet Story of How His Kids Inspired Latest Film
5-year-old Colorado girl dies after being strangled by swing set in backyard: Police
Premier League standings: What to know about Manchester City-Arsenal title race, schedule