J Cole calls out Drake, Joey Bada$$, bot users, and rappers who exploit beef for sales in new freestyles ‘Birthday Blizzard 26,’ fans say.
J. Cole calls out Drake and others in Birthday Blizzard '26 freestyles, according to fans.
J. Cole calls out Drake in his latest moves, and for hip hop fans, they are impossible to ignore. With his 41st birthday recently behind him, the rapper released a new batch of freestyles titled Birthday Blizzard ’26, and fans say the collection isn’t just a celebration of his birthday; it’s a statement. In these freestyles, Cole reflects on the music industry, rivalries, and the ways some rappers chase attention over artistry.
Hip hop communities online have been buzzing about specific tracks, especially “Golden Goose Freestyle,” where listeners interpret his lines as direct jabs at industry players. Fans say J. Cole calls out Drake and others for compromising integrity for money, referencing high-profile figures like Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge. In his words: “Lotta rappers make dough then be prone to lose it / For crumbs, dumb n**s sold their soul to Lucian… N**s cheatin’ and I won’t еxcuse it / If I said it then I wrote it, stupid.”
But it’s not only about Drake. The freestyles also dig into issues like artificial streaming numbers and underperforming tours. Fans say J. Cole calls out Drake’s peers who rely on inflated streams to project success.
He raps, “If the streams say you winnin,’ why your tours is losin’? / When the math ain’t mathin’, of course you’re juicin’ / That mean the bots is boostin’ / Cut the tough guy image, it is not conducive / To breathe and don’t gamble with your life ‘cause the opps is cruisin’ / Word to Mike Vick, your dog might get sh*t for losin’.”
Table of Contents
J. Cole calls out Drake: Fans says
J. Cole calls out Drake in a way that’s bold but nuanced according to fans, weaving critique with commentary on the music business. While some lyrics reference Universal Music Group and Drake’s ongoing legal battles, others seem to question the authenticity of success in today’s rap industry. Online discussions suggest that Cole is emphasizing skill and craft over hype, making the freestyle resonate with purists.
This track, “Golden Goose Freestyle,” seems to spotlight the tension between fame, money, and credibility. Fans say J. Cole calls out Drake by highlighting choices he perceives as compromising artistry, and listeners have taken to forums dissecting every line. While Cole never directly names Drake, the context has led hip hop communities to connect the dots.
Joey Bada$$ in the spotlight
Fans also speculate that J. Cole takes aim at Joey Bada$$ in Birthday Blizzard ’26. On the track “99 Build Freestyle,” Cole critiques rappers who leverage conflict to gain attention. “Drama enhances the attention brought to the fans / On popular channels, so you wanna hop on the band / Wagon of battle rappin’, and throwin’ shots in a jam / I had my chance, but I dropped it, which means my only option’s / To do the opposite then (Lead with the skill, n***a),” he raps.
The lines are widely interpreted as a response to Joey Bada$$, who reportedly dissed Cole on “Sorry Not Sorry” last year. Fans say J.Cole calls out Drake’s contemporaries like Joey by emphasizing that skill and originality should outweigh drama and manufactured beef. It’s a reminder that, in Cole’s eyes, true hip hop is about craft and substance rather than spectacle.
Calling out bot users
Another theme highlighted in the freestyles is the use of streaming bots. Cole critiques the practice of inflating numbers to appear successful. Fans say J. Cole calls out Drake’s industry peers for relying on such tactics rather than genuine fan engagement. The “streams vs. tour performance” lines suggest that Cole values authentic artistry and warns against shortcuts that can undermine credibility.
By weaving this into his freestyles, he encourages listeners and fellow artists to reconsider how success is measured in hip hop today. Fans appreciate this candid approach, seeing it as Cole’s way of holding the industry accountable while staying true to himself.
Critiquing rappers who exploit beef
Lastly, fans point to Cole’s critique of rappers who use conflict to sell records. Across Birthday Blizzard ’26, he repeatedly highlights the danger of prioritizing drama over skill. On “99 Build Freestyle,” he explicitly calls out this pattern: “Based on randomly dissin’ and hatin’ on the next man.” Fans say J. Cole calls out Drake’s peers and other artists who fall into this trap, reinforcing that longevity and respect in hip hop come from talent and consistency, not manufactured controversy.
Cole’s approach has sparked conversation across social media. Fans are praising him for being unapologetically honest while delivering freestyles that showcase mastery. Birthday Blizzard ’26 isn’t just a birthday gift for Cole, it’s a wake-up call for the industry.
With The Fall-Off set to release on February 6, 2026, Birthday Blizzard ’26 sets the stage for J. Cole’s next chapter. Available for purchase on his website for just $1, these freestyles give fans a raw, unfiltered look at his mindset ahead of the album drop. By addressing Drake, Joey Bada$$, bot users, and rappers who exploit beef, Cole reminds the hip hop world that skill, authenticity, and artistry are what truly matter.
