Does J Cole’s Apology Imply That Drake Must Now Engage in Battle with Kendrick Lamar?

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J Cole’s apology to Kendrick Lamar has been likened to Neo choosing the blue pill by many observers. The disappointment stemming from one of the “Big Three” refusing the anticipated lyrical rivalry, which had been anticipated for over a decade, is only rivaled by the respect garnered for choosing peace and love in a fiercely contested battleground of hip-hop feuds. However, this retraction wasn’t entirely unexpected, considering Cole’s history of tepid engagement in previous conflicts with artists like Noname, Kanye West, or Wale. Moreover, the controversy surrounding Cole’s song “Pi” on the album “Might Delete Later” has drawn more deserved criticism than his backtracking on the feud with Lamar.

On the other hand, Drake, although seasoned in battles, has only responded vaguely, allegedly, through DJ Akademiks, cryptic Instagram captions, and self-affirmations during his tour with J Cole. Following the footsteps of other artists like Big Sean, Jay Electronica, and Lupe Fiasco, this marks yet another occasion where Kendrick Lamar’s opponent has backed out, perhaps realizing they didn’t want the pressure of a feud in the first place. Now, there are only two prominent figures left on the frontline: the reigning rap titan and the elusive Kendrick Lamar. Does Cole’s apology imply that Drake must finally succumb to the pressure and engage in a rivalry with the Compton rapper?

While it’s likely that Drake will eventually respond, it might not be immediate. He previously hinted at taking a break from music after his “For All The Dogs” era in 2023 (though this may have been a jest). Despite featuring on a 4batz track and reportedly removing a verse from Bfb Da Packman (possibly to address Kendrick Lamar), Drake hasn’t been overly active musically since then. Having just concluded his tour, he may take his time to craft a response, unlike his swift retorts in past conflicts. Additionally, it’s worth noting that the significance of “The Big Three” mentioned here pertains to the 2010s era, not the present. The stakes are not as high as they once were, and Cole’s apology didn’t contain anything particularly disrespectful toward the trio; it merely demonstrated his self-awareness regarding the situation.

Consequently, J Cole doesn’t automatically exit the “Big Three” of the 2010s, at least not if he was considered part of it initially. Similarly, Drake’s delayed response could be attributed to his belief that he doesn’t need to engage immediately. With an established position as one of the biggest rappers globally and a fan base less concerned with traditional hip-hop values, Drake may feel less pressure to respond promptly. However, he must recognize that Kendrick Lamar poses a unique challenge, especially now that Cole has stepped back from the conflict. Drake’s legacy as an all-time great in hip-hop could be at stake, and a victory in this battle would solidify his place at the top. Nevertheless, even a loss or his silence would not diminish his immense commercial success and loyal fan base. Yet, engaging and emerging victorious would silence many critics and elevate his status as an MC. The question remains: Is Drake truly committed to the essence of hip-hop? Only time will tell.

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