‘We should all apologise to this man for saying he was reaching’: Kendrick Lamar VS J Cole – The Unspoken Subliminal War Explained | HO

J Cole & Kendrick Lamar have been at the top of the food chain for a very long time. Many people feel that these two are close friends but this is very likely not the case at all. J Cole has developed a sense of hunger for that #1 spot and he seems to be willing to do anything to reach his goal.

Kendrick Lamar and Jay Cole have been dominant figures in the music industry for quite some time, and even in 2024, the battle for the top spot remains intense. While fans appreciate breakdowns of Kendrick and Drake’s disses, the ongoing exchange between Jay Cole and Kendrick often goes unnoticed. Their relationship dates back to before their debut albums, with Jay Cole gaining early success after signing with HOV in 2009 and dropping impressive mixtapes. His inclusion on the 2010 XXL Freshman cover, alongside Kendrick’s labelmate Jrock, marked their initial encounter. Although Kendrick wasn’t widely known then, Jay Cole was later captivated by his talent at a party and exchanged contact info. Cole started providing beats for Kendrick, including one that became Kendrick’s single “High Power.” They even planned a joint mixtape, but only recorded a few songs, none of which were released.

Their first collaboration came in 2012 on a Trey the Truth remix, followed by another track a month later. Kendrick’s release of “good kid, m.A.A.d city” further solidified his status. Jay Cole publicly supported him, but their interaction in Compton hinted at more. Kendrick later dropped a song produced by Jay Cole, “The Jig Is Up.” However, it was Jay Cole’s turn to shine with his sophomore album, featuring Kendrick on a track where he only provided the hook. Despite this, Jay Cole’s lyrics assert his dominance, raising eyebrows considering Kendrick’s absence from rapping. But Kendrick’s “Control” verse two months later shook the industry, calling out numerous rappers, including Jay Cole. Jay Cole’s subsequent response suggests readiness for a real feud, echoing sentiments expressed by Drake. The back-and-forth hints at a brewing rivalry, with both artists vying for the top spot.

When he said, “I got love for you all, but I’m trying to you [ __ ] trying to make sure your fans never heard of you [ __ ]…,” J Cole was essentially implying that he could make someone disappear from the scene. It’s critical to note that when Kendrick dropped his “Control” verse, Cole felt the need to reach out to Kendrick directly to understand the context. Kendrick reassured Cole that their relationship hadn’t changed because of the verse.

In fact, months after the “Control” verse incident, P Diddy allegedly confronted Kendrick at a party over his “King of New York” line, and Cole intervened, leading to a scuffle. This incident underscores the camaraderie between Cole and Kendrick.

However, despite their friendship, Kendrick consistently overshadowed Cole in award wins, which perhaps fueled Cole’s competitive spirit. Kendrick’s numerous accolades contrasted with Cole’s lack of Grammy wins, as Cole expressed in his lyrics. Yet, they continued to celebrate each other’s successes and collaborate on tracks like “Black Friday.”

As the years passed, talks of a joint album persisted, but it never materialized. Kendrick’s sporadic presence in the industry led to ongoing comparisons between him and Cole. While Kendrick’s absence created a void, Cole seized the opportunity to redefine his legacy and assert himself as a top-tier rapper.

Speculations arose about Cole taking subliminal shots at Kendrick on his album “The Off-Season,” but the timing of the release versus Kendrick’s album announcement doesn’t support this theory. Despite the speculation, both artists continued to excel in their respective careers, leaving fans eagerly anticipating any potential collaborations in the future.

J. Cole acknowledges that many consider him third behind Drake and Kendrick, but instead of criticizing them, he compliments their stature in hip-hop. However, he asserts that the fans have misjudged his ranking, proclaiming himself as the hardest in the game. Cole implies that his lack of flashy promotion and awards snubs may have contributed to this misconception.

Expressing his hunger for the number one spot, Cole suggests that every feature he accepts is an opportunity to showcase his superiority over other artists. Kendrick’s five-year hiatus ended with the release of “Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers” in 2022, which received mixed reviews. Some interpreted Kendrick’s track “Count Me Out” as a dig at Cole’s upcoming project “The Fall Off,” leading to speculation about their rivalry.

On Benny The Butcher’s track “Johnny P’s Caddy,” Cole’s lyrics hinted at Kendrick being the target of his diss, although Benny felt otherwise. Cole’s collaboration with Drake on “Trash Bag” further reinforced their joint dominance, seemingly sidelining Kendrick.

In “Might Delete Later,” Cole indirectly references Kendrick’s album sales and implies that Kendrick couldn’t match his numbers. He also suggests that Kendrick and he aren’t as close as perceived, debunking the assumption of their friendship. Cole’s lyrics in “First Person Shooter” directly assert his supremacy over Drake and Kendrick, leaving no room for interpretation.

Despite the ongoing speculation and apparent tension, Cole’s hunger for success remains evident. His dedication to his craft and willingness to assert his position in the rap game set him apart, fueling anticipation for his future releases. While the rivalry between Cole and Kendrick persists, it only adds to the intrigue surrounding their respective careers.