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J. Cole Regrets Kendrick Lamar Response Track, Will Remove From Album

J. Cole walked back his recently released response to Kendrick Lamar, saying he regrets adding “7 Minute Drill” to his Might Delete Later EP. Live on stage at his Dreamville…

J Cole, wearing blue, performing on stage

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 17: Rapper J. Cole performs during halftime during the NBA All-Star game where Team Giannis faces Team LeBron as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

J. Cole walked back his recently released response to Kendrick Lamar, saying he regrets adding "7 Minute Drill" to his Might Delete Later EP.

Live on stage at his Dreamville Festival headlining set in Raleigh, NC, Cole said he rushed the track out, despite not feeling like he should have. "The past two days have felt terrible," Cole said before he said he would be removing the track from the EP.

"In my spirit of trying to get this music out, I ain't gonna lie to y'all, I moved in a way that I spiritually feel bad on. I tried to jab back and I tried to keep it friendly. But at the end of the day, when I listen to it... that s--- don't sit right."

Cole said he was under pressure from thousands of texts and calls asking him to respond to Lamar's recent diss track "Like That" on the Metro Boomin and Future collaboration project. Lamar said there wasn't a "Big Three" in the rap game, "It's just big me."

That comment riled up the rap world, as Cole, Lamar and Drake had done projects together and have been some of the biggest stars in the industry.

Cole said the response from everyone around him was that he needed to clap back. "It's war time. N---as wanna see blood," Cole said.

But from the Dreamville stage, Cole said he was conflicted about releasing the track at all, but "the world wanna see blood."

"I was conflicted because, one I know my heart, I know how I feel about my peers (Drake and Lamar)," he said. "I'm blessed to even stand beside in this game, let alone chase their greatness."

Cole said the decision was a mistake and he didn't want to downplay Lamar's greatness. He asked the crowd at Dreamville if they thought Lamar was one of the greatest "to ever touch a microphone." The crowd went wild.

"Dreamville, ya'll love Kendrick Lamar, correct? As do I."

Cole said the track was the "lamest, goofiest" thing that made him feel like the times he was moving incorrectly. "I pray that God will line me back up on my purpose and on my path."

He closed saying he's willing to take the verbal punches he deserves from Lamar if he feels like he needs to give them, asking his fans to forgive him as well.

These Hip-Hop Albums Turn 10 In 2024

2014 was an interesting time for hip-hop. There were rap artists that we play daily now that were cementing their spots, with many of the musicians on this list only touching the cusp of some of the best music in their careers. One standout project in 2014 was J. Cole's 2014 Forest Hills Drive. The title derives from his street address in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he grew up with his mother, his brother, and his stepfather, He would later purchase his childhood home and turn it into free housing for single mothers.

In an interview in 2015, he explained what his ideal situation would be for a family to live there.

"So every two years a new family will come in, they live rent-free. The idea is that it's a single mother with multiple kids, and she's coming from a place where all her kids is sharing a room," he explained.

He went on to add that he wants "kids to feel how I felt when we got to the house."

2014 Forest Hills Drive was purchased through his Dreamville Foundation for $120,000 and was the rapper's first home he ever purchased. He later told Complex it was in his room where he learned he began his passion for music.

"I could do things like sit in my own thoughts and write my raps. That's when I became more introspective. This is where I started dreaming the dream."

J. Cole's 2014 Forest Hills Drive

As for the album, it is the rapper's third studio album which had several hits that are still staples in his discography such as "Apparently," "Wet Dreamz," "No Role Modelz," "Love Yourz." The album is a coming-of-age tale for Cole as he describes his upbringing, first crushes, and how he sees himself being implanted into the music industry in the future.

Take a look at 2014 Forest Hills Drive as well as other albums that were released in 2014:

'2014 Forest Hills Drive' - J. Cole

ab67616d0000b273c6e0948bbb0681ff29cdbae8.jpeByStorm Entertainment, Columbia Records, Dreamville Records and Roc Nation

If you weren't a J. Cole fan by this album, <em>2014 Forest Hills Drive</em> made you one. <em>2014 Forest Hills Drive</em> is Cole's third studio album following LPs <em>Born Sinner</em> (2013) and <em>Cole World: The Sideline Story</em> (2011). The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and spawned singles "Apparently", "Wet Dreamz", "No Role Modelz" and "Love Yourz." <em>2014 Forest Hills Drive</em> earned Cole two Grammy nominations for Best Rap Album and "Apparently" for Best Rap Performance at the 2016 Grammy Awards. As of November 21, 2023, the album is certified five times platinum by the RIAA.


'The Pinkprint' - Nicki Minaj

ab67616d0000b2730f79d1616e3b02368d41f458.jpeYoung Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Republic Records

<em>The Pinkprint</em> is Nicki Minaj's third studio album. It is mostly known for her internet-breaking hit "Anaconda," which earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song. <em>The Pinkprint</em> also housed singles "Only," "Pills n Potions," "Truffle Butter," and "The Night Is Still Young." The project was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2016 Grammy Awards.


'Honest' - Future

ab67616d0000b2735fc3d7bc8ea7a703fae2835d.jpeEpic Records

Future dropped <em>Honest</em>, his second studio album, on April 22, 2014. It spawned singles "S---," "Karate Chop," "I Won," "Move That Dope," and the title track. Future enlisted Drake, Kanye, Pusha T, Lil Wayne, André 3000, Pharrell, Wiz Khalifa, Casino, and Young Scooter for his project. <em>Honest </em>debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 which was his highest debut for a project at the time.


'Faces' - Mac Miller

ab67616d0000b273e4251cf5331ad74eaaeca36e.jpeREMember Warner

<em>Faces</em> is the 2014 mixtape of the late Mac Miller. It preceded the rapper's second studio album <em>Watching Movies with the Sound Off</em> which was released a year prior. <em>Faces</em> features guest appearances from Rick Ross, Vince Staples, Ab-Soul, Dash, Earl Sweatshirt, Schoolboy Q, Mike Jones, and Sir Michael Rocks. In 2021, three years after Miller's death, it was released commercially. After its commercial release, the estate of the rapper added the track "Yeah - Bonus." It debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 in 2021 after its commercial release.


'Nobody's Smiling' - Common

ab67616d0000b273e82da79ef6ab94f25037a3db.jpeDef Jams Recording / Universal Music Group

<em>Nobody's Smiling</em> is Common's tenth studio album. The LP was supported by singles "Kingdom," "Speak My Piece," and "Diamonds." He had guest appearances by G Herbo, Big Sean, Jhené Aiko, Snoh Aalegra, Vince Staples, Dreezy, and Cocaine 80s. It debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200. The project was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. The song Blak Majik featuring Jhené Aiko was also nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration that year.


'No Label II' - Migos

ab67616d0000b2735c4d2b8429e7bbcda34e14de.jpeQuality Control/ Atlantic Records

Migos were still in their mixtape era back in 2014. They released <em>No Label II</em>, the sequel to their 2012 project on February 25, 2014. One of most popular tracks from this project was "Fight Night," which earned them their highest Billboard Hot 100 placement at time with No. 69. The trio enlisted Young Thug, Meek Mill Machine Gun Kelly, Rich Homie Quan, and Jermaine Dupri on the project. The group would go on to release their fifth mixtape <em>Rich N---- Timeline</em> later that year on November 5.


'Blacc Hollywood' - Wiz Khalifa

ab67616d0000b27327ed4f26fa2bfbd714dba7dd.jpeRostrum/Atlantic Records

<em>Blacc Hollywood</em> is Wiz Khalifa's fifth studio album. He had two singles: "We Dem Boyz" and "You and Your Friends" as well as "KK" and "Stayin Out All Night" as promotional singles. On the album he touched upon Black stereotypes in general and how it translated into being in Hollywood. The album has guest appearances from Nicki Minaj, Ty Dolla $ign, Juicy J, Project Pat, Curren$y, Ghost Loft, and Chevy Woods, and more. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, the first and only album of his to date to have that feat.

Brandon Plotnick is a former sports journalist, now living in the digital space with interests all over the musical and pop culture map.

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