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Johnny Nunez / Contributor via Getty Images and Prince Williams / Contributor via Getty Images
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Joe Budden alongside J. Cole
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Earlier this year, J. Cole opted out of the rap rivalry between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, subsequently embarking on a remarkable feature spree. On Wednesday (Oct. 2), Joe Budden applauded the North Carolina rapper for rediscovering his groove after the potentially career-altering move.
“As time goes by, I have even more respect for that decision. Nice work steering clear of the chaos. J. Cole has truly excelled at maintaining his distance from the turmoil,” Budden acknowledged on his podcast. “He may have stepped out of line for a brief moment, but after some private discussions, he quickly got back to form. [He] wasn’t about to jeopardize a friendship over trivial rap disputes.”
Importantly, Cole responded to Lamar’s barbs in “Like That” with “7 Minute Drill,” which was pulled from streaming services just over a week after its release. His collaboration on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Red Leather” marked his first appearance as a guest since that incident.
“It’s not merely about his friendships; it encompasses his entire Dreamville Records roster and the connections we hold with that entire community,” Budden elaborated. As previously reported by Rap-Up, TDE artists ScHoolboy Q and SiR reportedly had their Toronto performances canceled due to Lamar’s intense exchange with Drake.
Continuing the discussion, Budden asserted that the “MIDDLE CHILD” star has reached a lyrical ceiling. “My concern with Cole is that there’s nothing more he can prove to show he’s a remarkable lyricist. I’ve witnessed him deliver top-notch verses alongside various artists. It feels as though he’s diminishing the excitement around his incredible rap skills.”
Looking towards 2024, Cole has contributed his voice to Tee Grizzley’s “Blow For Blow,” Tems’ “Free Fall,” and ASAP Rocky’s “Ruby Rosary,” among other collaborative endeavors.