J. Cole has taken aim at his own apology to Kendrick Lamar, calling it a moment of weakness and revealing he was trying too hard to climb back into the spotlight after publicly apologizing for criticizing the rapper's music.
In a surprise freestyle titled "Bronx Zoo Freestyle," which dropped as part of his latest project "Birthday Blizzard '26" just hours before his 41st birthday, Cole expressed regret over making amends with Lamar. The rapper admits that when he initially issued an apology to both Lamar and Drake after taking aim at their music on Future's song "Like That," it marked a low point for him.
Cole also referenced the backlash surrounding his record "7 Minute Drill," which some saw as an attack on Lamar's work, stating he had been unfairly pressured into taking shots. However, in retrospect, Cole has admitted that making those comments was a mistake and that he never intended to hurt anyone or stir up drama.
"I moved in a way that I spiritually feel bad on," Cole told the crowd at his Dreamville Festival earlier this month. "I tried to like, jab my nigga back and I tried to keep it friendly. But at the end of the day, when I listen to it and when it comes out and I see the talk, that shit don't sit right with my spirit."
Cole's latest project seems to reflect a more introspective tone, as he prepares for his upcoming album "The Fall-Off" set to release on February 6. The trailer hints at the artist grappling with feelings of nostalgia and decline, but ultimately finding solace in acknowledging that everything has to come to an end.
Throughout his career, Cole has been known for pushing boundaries and sparking conversations in the rap world, and this latest freestyle is no exception. With "Birthday Blizzard '26" marking a new chapter in his artistic journey, fans are eagerly awaiting what's next from one of hip-hop's most respected voices.
In a surprise freestyle titled "Bronx Zoo Freestyle," which dropped as part of his latest project "Birthday Blizzard '26" just hours before his 41st birthday, Cole expressed regret over making amends with Lamar. The rapper admits that when he initially issued an apology to both Lamar and Drake after taking aim at their music on Future's song "Like That," it marked a low point for him.
Cole also referenced the backlash surrounding his record "7 Minute Drill," which some saw as an attack on Lamar's work, stating he had been unfairly pressured into taking shots. However, in retrospect, Cole has admitted that making those comments was a mistake and that he never intended to hurt anyone or stir up drama.
"I moved in a way that I spiritually feel bad on," Cole told the crowd at his Dreamville Festival earlier this month. "I tried to like, jab my nigga back and I tried to keep it friendly. But at the end of the day, when I listen to it and when it comes out and I see the talk, that shit don't sit right with my spirit."
Cole's latest project seems to reflect a more introspective tone, as he prepares for his upcoming album "The Fall-Off" set to release on February 6. The trailer hints at the artist grappling with feelings of nostalgia and decline, but ultimately finding solace in acknowledging that everything has to come to an end.
Throughout his career, Cole has been known for pushing boundaries and sparking conversations in the rap world, and this latest freestyle is no exception. With "Birthday Blizzard '26" marking a new chapter in his artistic journey, fans are eagerly awaiting what's next from one of hip-hop's most respected voices.