Rapper J. Cole has publicly apologized for taking aim at Kendrick Lamar on a track from his newly released album “Might Delete Later.” During his headlining set at Dreamville Festival this past weekend, Cole expressed remorse for the diss titled “7 Minute Drill,” calling it “the lamest shit I ever did.”
The diss seemed to be Cole’s response to Lamar dismissing the idea of a “Big Three” in rap consisting of himself, Cole, and Drake on a recent guest verse. On “7 Minute Drill,” Cole criticizes Lamar’s artistic direction and commercial performance.
However, the harsh words did not sit well with Cole upon the album’s release on Friday. Addressing the festival crowd, he admitted to feeling conflicted about retaliating even as public pressure mounted.
“I felt conflicted because I’m like, ‘Bruh, I know I don’t really feel no way,’ but the world wants to see blood,” J. Cole confessed. “I’m so proud of that project except for one part…I know this is not what a lot of people want to hear.”
The rapper went on to call Lamar “one of the greatest motherf****r to ever touch a f***ing microphone” and expressed hope that his peer did not take serious offense to the lyrics. J. Cole stated he would be open to taking another critical verse from Lamar “on the chin.”
“The past two days felt terrible,” he told the crowd. “It let me know how good I’ve been sleeping for the past 10 years.”
Cole’s remorseful comments suggest he may update or remove “7 Minute Drill” from streaming services and future album pressings. For now, the diss track remains available alongside the rest of his latest full-length effort.
The exchange began last fall when Cole and Drake proclaimed themselves the “Big Three” of rap on a collaborative track, which Lamar then dismissed in his recent guest verse saying “It’s just big me.” Many fans anticipated Cole or Drake would clap back.
While Drake has not directly addressed Lamar’s comments, he seemed to reference them defiantly during a recent concert. Lamar himself has not publicly responded to either Cole’s original diss or his subsequent apology.