J. Cole’s Public Apology: Reflecting on the Kendrick Lamar Diss Drama

J. Cole took to the stage to headline the Dreamville Festival in North Carolina on Sunday (April 7), where he publicly apologized for even dropping his Kendrick Lamar diss track “7 Minute Drill.

The final song on Cole’s surprise new album, “Might Delete Later,” dropped on April 5, and the North Carolina rapper took direct shots at Lamar’s guest verse on the song “Like That” by Future and Metro Boomin. Lamar had taken aim at Drake and Cole, referring to the two as part of “the big three.

Reflecting on the decision, Cole opened up, “I’m so proud of [Might Delete Later’] except for one part. It’s one part of that s*** that makes me feel like, man, that’s the lamest thing I did in my f***ing life, right?

He said he felt the pressure on his side to hit back at Lamar, bearing in mind public expectations, although he still had no personal grudge against him.

Noting the spiritual toll the diss took on himself, he lamented, “That shit disrupts my fuckin’ peace.” He praised Lamar’s talent, speaking to the crowd: “How many people think Kendrick Lamar is one of the greatest motherfuckers to ever touch a fuckin’ microphone? Dreamville, you all love Kendrick Lamar, right? As do I. Cole—who demonstrated having some regret in what he did—Drake subtly alluded to the verse pretty much on this tour, as poised and confident ever against his perceived challengers.