Renowned American rapper J. Cole recently revealed why he chose to step away from the escalating tension between him and fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar.
In his track Port Antonio, the songwriter known for his introspective lyrics and socially conscious themes, explained that the public and the media seemed eager to fuel a rivalry between him and Lamar, but he didn’t want to feed into the drama.
The pressure mounted after Kendrick’s bold verses in which many felt he was taking shots at both Cole, who gained fame with his debut album “Cole World: The Sideline Story” in 2011, which debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, and Drake.
Speaking further in an interview, J. Cole mentioned that he received countless missed calls and was pushed to respond, but he ultimately decided against engaging.
He called his initial reactions “lame” and admitted that he didn’t want to turn the situation into a full-blown feud.
This decision, as reflected in his recent music, shows J. Cole’s desire to remain level-headed and avoid unnecessary conflicts, choosing instead to focus on his art without the distraction of beefs in the industry.
Cole has maintained a significant presence in the music industry with albums like “2014 Forest Hills Drive” and “KOD,” often addressing issues of race, identity, and socioeconomic inequality.
Beyond music, J. Cole is involved in activism and philanthropy, supporting various social causes.