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J. Cole Shares Why He Pulled Out Of The Kendrick Lamar-Drake Beef On “Port Antonio”
American rapper J. Cole has shed light on why he chose to remain neutral in the long-standing feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake.
In his newly released track “Port Antonio,” which dropped on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, Cole offers a thoughtful and introspective reflection on his decision to stay out of the rivalry that has defined much of the rap landscape in recent years.
The surprise release, shared exclusively on his Instagram and YouTube accounts, follows a recent trend among top-tier rappers like Kendrick and Drake, who have been opting for unconventional, direct-to-fan platforms for their music drops.
Cole’s candid lyrics on “Port Antonio” provide fans with a deeper understanding of his stance, focusing on self-growth and avoiding unnecessary conflicts within the industry.
“I pulled the plug because I’ve seen where that was ’bout to go/ They wanted blood, they wanted clicks to make they pockets grow/ They see this fire in my pen and think I’m dodgin’ smoke/ I wouldn’t have lost a battle, dawg, I would’ve lost a bro,” Cole admitted. “I would’ve gained a foe, and all for what? Just to attain some mo’/ Props from strangers that don’t got a clue what I been aimin’ for?”
Back in April, J. Cole extended an olive branch by apologizing for releasing “7 Minute Drill,” which was his response to Kendrick Lamar’s verse on “Like That.”
During 2024’s Dreamville Festival, the Born Sinner creator said, “I pray that my n**ga really didn’t feel no way, and if he did, my n**ga, I got my chin out.” The record, which appeared on Might Delete Later, was pulled from streaming services that same month.