On Friday, J. Cole released a project titled Might Delete Later, drawing significant attention with its concluding track, 7-Minute Drill.
This particular song has social media in a frenzy due to its apparent response to a verse by Kendrick Lamar in the song Like That by Metro Boomin and Future, where Lamar seemingly targets both Drake and J. Cole.
J. Cole disses Kendrick Lamar on ‘7-Minute Drill’
On 7-Minute Drill, J. Cole delivers verses that listeners have interpreted as a comeback to Kendrick Lamar’s provocations.
Cole evaluates Lamar’s discography and impact, juxtaposing their careers with a focus on their individual achievements and milestones.
“He still doing shows but fell off like ‘The Simpsons’ / Your first shit was classic, your last shit was tragic / Your second shit put n—s to sleep but they gassed it / Your third shit was massive and that was your prime / I was trailing right behind and I just now hit mine.”
J. Cole, ‘7-Minute Drill’
He touches on the themes of legacy, rivalry, and the nature of success in the music industry, ultimately framing the song as a preemptive measure rather than an outright battle.
“He averaging one ‘Heart’ verse like every 30 months or something / If he wasn’t dissing, then we wouldn’t be discussing nothin’ / Blood don’t make me have to smoke this n—a ’cause I fuck with him / But push come to shove on this mic I will humble him,” he raps
J. Cole, ‘7-Minute Drill’
Fan reactions to Kendrick Lamar diss
The response from the public to J. Cole’s track has been mixed, with some fans expressing disappointment over what they perceive as Cole’s overly respectful stance towards Lamar.
This has led to a broad discussion about the expectations fans have for diss tracks and the nuances of respecting fellow artists while engaging in lyrical confrontations.
J. Cole vs Kendrick Lamar: How did we get here?
The backstory to this lyrical exchange is rooted in a long-standing friendship and mutual respect between J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar, highlighted by previous collaborations and public commendations of each other’s work.
The sudden shift to a more competitive tone has caught many by surprise, given their history of support and shared projects, including the potential for a joint album that has been a topic of speculation for years.