J. Cole Explains Why He Stepped Back from the Kendrick Lamar & Drake Beef and Praises Drake in "Port Antonio"
In a surprising turn, J. Cole has addressed the ongoing tensions between Kendrick Lamar and Drake in his latest release, “Port Antonio.”
Dropped unexpectedly on October 9, the five-minute track sees the Dreamville artist reflecting on his choice to step back from the heated rivalry.
Cole opens up about the escalating conflict, rapping:
“I pulled the plug because I 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.”
Listen: J. Cole Says He Backed Out of the Kendrick Lamar Beef to Avoid Losing a Friend
J Cole dropped a new song “Port Antonio” and addressed why he backed out of the beef with Drake and Kendrick Lamar 👀
— WhatsOnRap (@WhatsOnRap__) October 10, 2024
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His lyrics reveal a deeper concern: he prioritizes friendship over competition, he continues, emphasizing the personal stakes involved:
"I wouldn’t have lost a battle, dawg, I woulda lost a bro / I woulda gained a foe.”
The track also touches on the sharp jabs exchanged between the two rap giants.
Cole critiques the lengths to which both Kendrick and Drake went to make their points, hinting at the consequences of their feud.
He asserts, questioning the integrity of social media-driven battles that prioritize clicks over camaraderie:
“Jermaine is no king if that means I gotta dig up dirt and pay the whole team / Of algorithm bot n-ggas just to sway the whole thing / On social media, competing for your favorable memes to be considered best.”
Reflecting on the conflict, Cole acknowledges the intensity of the moment.
“My friends went to war, I walked away with all they blood on me.”
He states, highlighting the emotional toll of the feud. He even addresses Drake directly, reaffirming their bond and expressing gratitude for his contributions to Cole’s career.
"Aye, Drake, you’ll always be my n-gga / I ain’t ashamed to say you did a lot for me, my n-gga / Fuck all the narratives / Tapping back into your magic pen is what’s imperative.”
As the track nears its end, Cole calls for a shift in hip-hop’s focus. He reminds listeners that the essence of rap should be about sharing thoughts and emotions rather than fueling beef.
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He declares, urging artists to connect with their audience on a deeper level:
“Reminding these folks why we do it / It’s not for beefing, it’s for speaking our thoughts / Pushing ourselves, reaching the charts / Reaching your minds, deep in your heart / Screaming to find emotions to touch / Somethin’ inside to open you up / Help you cope with the rough times and shit / I’m sending love, ’cause we ain’t promised shit.”
“Port Antonio” arrives nearly a year after Cole and Drake collaborated on “First Person Shooter,” reigniting discussions within the hip-hop community.
With this new release, J. Cole aims to reshape the narrative, promoting unity and artistic expression over conflict.