Drake and Kendrick Lamar allegedly had 2 features each on J. Cole’s The Fall Off, Mal claims revealed

Drake and Kendrick Lamar reportedly had features on J. Cole’s long-awaited album The Fall Off, but according to Mal from the Rory & Mal Podcast, the ongoing tension between the two rap icons forced Cole to rework the entire project. Despite teasing the album for years, fans have yet to see an official release, leaving anticipation at an all-time high in the hip-hop community.

The album’s delay has also coincided with a pivotal moment in hip-hop: the ongoing beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. The feud between the two rap icons reached a high point during the release of Cole’s Might Delete Later, with tracks like “Like That” and the now-deleted diss track “7 Minute Drill” putting Cole in the center of attention. Some fans speculated that these moves were a form of performance art, teasing themes that would later appear on The Fall Off.

According to Mal from the Rory & Mal Podcast, there’s a clear reason behind the album’s long absence. Mal claims that J. Cole initially included both Drake and Kendrick Lamar on the project, but the timing of their ongoing beef forced him to rework the album entirely. This sheds light on Cole’s decision to prioritize relationships over musical collaborations, showing a level of maturity rarely highlighted in the rap game.

Drake and Kendrick Lamar forced J. Cole to rework The Fall Off

Mal revealed, “Yes, Kendrick was on the album, and Drake was on the album. Well, was, which is why we didn’t get the album, cause now he gotta do his whole album over.” According to the podcast host, the features were fully recorded but ultimately scrapped due to the tension between the two rap superstars.

This insight explains why fans have been left waiting. While many anticipated hearing Drake and Kendrick Lamar alongside Cole’s sharp lyrical work, the reality is that the ongoing feud between the two artists created a roadblock that delayed the album indefinitely. Mal also clarified that it’s still unknown whether these features will ever see an official release.

In the meantime, J. Cole has stayed largely silent on social media, giving no hints about when The Fall Off will drop. It appears he may be waiting for the timing to feel right or for the hip-hop landscape to settle before unveiling the album.

The impact of Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s feud on hip-hop

The beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has had ripple effects across the music industry, affecting not just their own projects but also those of their contemporaries. In Cole’s case, this tension directly influenced the completion of The Fall Off. Fans now understand that delays were not due to creative block or lack of effort, but rather to careful consideration about collaborations in a complicated environment.

Mal emphasized the importance of these dynamics: “It highlights his maturity in prioritizing friendships over lyrical beef.” By choosing to re-record and adjust his project, J. Cole demonstrated a rare level of respect and professionalism in the rap community, putting relationships and the integrity of the album ahead of hype or opportunistic releases.

Could The Fall Off still feature Drake and Kendrick Lamar?

While the original collaborations with Drake and Kendrick Lamar were scrapped, there’s always a possibility they could resurface in some form. Mal didn’t specify the timing of the recordings or whether Cole has plans to reintegrate these verses in the future. For now, fans remain in suspense, watching closely for any updates from Cole or his label.

The anticipation around the album also reflects Cole’s strategic approach to timing. By waiting, he allows other major releases in hip-hop to settle, potentially giving The Fall Off a bigger impact once it eventually drops.

Even without the release of The Fall Off, J. Cole’s influence in rap and hip-hop remains undeniable. His willingness to delay an album for the sake of relationships and the bigger picture is a testament to his strategic mind and dedication to the culture. Fans respect that he doesn’t rush projects and that he prioritizes quality and integrity over deadlines.

As Mal’s comments clarify, the intersection of Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s feud and Cole’s careful handling of his album demonstrates how interconnected the rap world can be. The Fall Off remains one of the most anticipated albums in recent years, partly because of these behind-the-scenes stories that reveal the challenges of collaboration at the highest level.

Waiting for the Drop

Ultimately, the question remains: when will J. Cole finally released The Fall Off? The combination of strategic delays, relationships, and the fallout from Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s feud means fans will need patience. But when the album arrives, it will carry the weight of years of anticipation, collaborations that almost happened, and a clear statement about Cole’s place in the rap hierarchy.

Until then, the story behind the album adds another layer to the lore of J. Cole’s career, keeping fans and the hip-hop community intrigued. With Mal’s insights, listeners now understand that Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s involvement, or lack thereof, played a pivotal role in shaping one of the most talked-about unreleased projects in rap history.