In his latest track “Port Antonio,” J. Cole opens up about the intense rap feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, revealing his decision to step back from the conflict. The song, released recently, comes six months after Cole first responded to Lamar’s provocative verse on Future and Metro Boomin‘s “Like That,” a move that ignited tensions among the trio of top rappers.
In “Like That,” Lamar took a direct jab at Drake, declaring, “F— sneak dissin’, first-person shooter / I hope they came with three switches… Motherf— the big three, n—-, it’s just big me.” Cole’s initial response came swiftly with his track “7 Minute Drill,” where he critiqued Lamar’s discography, suggesting a decline in his recent work. However, shortly after, during his Dreamville Fest in North Carolina, Cole publicly apologized for the diss, stating, “One part of that s— makes me feel like that’s the lamest s— I ever did in my f—ing life,” and subsequently removed the track from streaming services.
Now, with “Port Antonio,” Cole takes a conciliatory approach, highlighting the destructive nature of their feud. “I can see hate in both of your eyes but the third’s blind,” he raps, implying that outside forces fuel the animosity for profit. He expresses regret over the potential fallout from the rivalry, stating, “I wouldn’t have lost a battle, dawg, I woulda lost a bro,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining relationships over clout.
The track also addresses the serious allegations exchanged between the two rappers, with Cole reflecting on the consequences of their words. He raps, “Protecting legacies, so lines got crossed, perhaps regrettably,” referencing the fallout from Drake’s allegations of domestic violence against Lamar and the ensuing accusations of pedophilia from Lamar towards Drake. In a moment of camaraderie, Cole reassures Drake, “You’ll always be my n—-/ I ain’t ashamed to say you did a lot for me, my n—-.”
Throughout the feud, both rappers exchanged multiple diss tracks, with Lamar responding to Drake’s claims and vice versa, igniting a firestorm of public scrutiny and speculation. As the dust settles on this highly publicized battle, Cole’s latest offering serves as a reminder of the toll such conflicts can take, urging reconciliation over rivalry in the hip-hop community.
The finale of “Love Is Blind,” which may provide clarity on Garrett’s relationship status, is set for October 23. Meanwhile, the impact of Cole’s mediation on the rap landscape remains to be seen.
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