Trae Tha Truth disputes with those who criticize J. Cole for allegedly “ducking” his battle with Kendrick Lamar.
During the 2024 BET Awards, Trae talked to AllHipHop about Cole’s decision to end their “Big 3” fight with K.Dot after originally dropping and then deleting a diss. Trae thought that Cole had to make this decision.
“One thing, man, I know he probably wouldn’t want me to say, but let me be clear: I read headlines and blogs that portray Cole as someone who was merely trying to avoid or get out of a sticky situation,” Trae remarked. “And that was untrue. People need to understand that kind of enthusiasm is simply not what this man has. Do you understand what I mean? He just always stayed in his lane and concentrated on himself and his children.
He went on, “So everyone came up together, not knowing that many of us came up together to see him rumble.” We collaborate. As a result, in my opinion, you have to show respect if someone says something like, “Man, you know what, bro?” I am aware of my dopeness. I don’t doubt who I am. That just doesn’t seem to be the energy I’m feeling right now.
Regarding J. Cole’s choice to apologize to Kendrick Lamar after criticizing him on “7 Minute Drill,” T.I. felt the same way.
The Atlanta rapper commented on the brief altercation between K.Dot and Cole, which the latter controversially withdrew from, in a May interview on Big Boy’s Neighborhood.
When asked about Cole’s polarizing apology, Tip responded with a laugh, “I feel he chose peace and tranquility.” You must be incredibly unaffected and unbothered, and possess thick skin. Additionally, we are unaware of Cole’s dynamic’s sensitivity or temperament. Cole has never seemed angry to us. Where that would lead him is unknown.
The rapper Trap Muzik continued, saying, “I think that was pretty mature of him.”
J. Cole was recently commended by Black Thought for his live on-stage apology to Kendrick during his Dreamville Festival.
The Roots MC stated, “Though I hadn’t heard any of the music, I thought it was a beautiful thing,” during an appearance on the This Week in White Supremacy podcast earlier this month. That was the novel aspect.
Since the 1980s, we have repeatedly witnessed MCs engaging in back-and-forth combat. Sometimes they stick to the facts, and other times things go chaotic and physical.
He went on, “What we haven’t seen yet is someone taking care of that straight away, do you agree? I believed that he was actually doing that. It just demonstrated an air of nobility, humility, and elevation that is uncommon in many contexts.
As the plane descends, you must position your oxygen mask first. That’s exactly what he’s been doing—revealing himself to himself and making investments in himself.
