Over the last couple of months, J Cole has been laying quite low after dropping out of the Kendrick Lamar beef. People have been commending the German-born MC for his decision to bow out, as most know it is not in his nature to get into beefs. However, there are still quite a few people out there who still lack respect for the “7 Minute Drill” MC. Him and Drake continue to receive criticism for essentially not doing anything of merit since taking their respective L’s. For example, countless jokes circled the internet after his questionable guest performance on Cash Cobain’s “Grippy”.
But there are hip-hop figures out there who are showing J Cole love, and that includes Trae Tha Truth. According to HipHopDX, the Houston, Texas rapper sat down with AllHipHop at the BET Awards this past weekend and showed nothing but compassion for the man. Overall, Trae feels like the media painted Cole in an egregiously negative light for removing himself from what has become an overtly violent beef at times. The smoky-voiced MC sees no issue with the apology as Trae knows that Cole does not move like that.
“I watch blogs and I watch headlines make it as if he [Cole] was just trying to get away or duck any type of situation. And that wasn’t the case. What people have to realize is that’s just not the type of energy bro got. You know what I’m saying? He focused on him, he focused on his kids and just always stayed in his lane”. Trae elaborated further, “So everybody wanted to see him rumble and not knowing a lot of us came up together. We partners. So, for me, being a real brother to him, you got to respect if somebody like, ‘Man, you know what, bro? I know I’m dope. I’m not questioning myself. I just feel like that’s just not the energy that I’m on’”.
What are your thoughts on Trae Tha Truth backing J Cole’s decision to bow out of the Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef? Are you surprised that he feels this way, why or why not? Did it turn out to be the best case scenario after knowing what we know now? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Trae Tha Truth, J Cole, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
Rappers are known for their bold and unapologetic personas, but even the toughest MCs have found themselves in situations where a public apology was necessary. From J. Cole to Soulja Boy, Cam’ron, and others, rappers’ apologies have taken various forms throughout the years. Rappers seeking forgiveness and admitting their mistakes, no matter why they did it, stand out in a culture that often glorifies swagger and defiance. At times, rappers apologize and put their tough exteriors aside, reminding us that vulnerability can coexist with bravado in hip-hop.
J.Cole
J. Cole raised eyebrows by publicly addressing his diss aimed at Kendrick Lamar on the song “7 Minute Drill.” Though not explicitly saying “I’m sorry,” many fans view Cole’s speech at the 2024 Dreamville Festival as an apology to Lamar. During the festival, Cole expressed remorse for using his new album to retaliate against Lamar’s shots at the “Big 3” on “Like That” by Future and Metro Boomin.
After praising Lamar as “one of the greatest,” Cole called his own diss track the “lamest” and “goofiest” thing he’s ever done. He begged fans for forgiveness, admitting the past few days felt “terrible,” and invited Lamar to “take your best shot” in response, vowing to “take that s**t on the chin.” Cole’s unexpected humility led to the song’s removal from streaming services, highlighting the humbling power of rap apologies.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 10: Rapper Soulja Boy is seen backstage during his SouljaWorld tour at Buckhead Theatre on September 10, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Soulja Boy found himself in hot water and forced to apologize after releasing the song “Let’s Be Real” in 2011 with lyrics that were deemed anti-patriotic towards the U.S. Army. The controversial lines “F–k the FBI and the army troops/B—h, fighting for what? Be your own man” sparked backlash, leading to reports that military stores would not carry his new record.
Soulja Boy expressed remorse in a blog post on Global Grind, stating, “When I expressed my frustration with the U.S. Army, not only did my words come out wrong, I was wrong to even speak them.” He explained he was venting frustrations about the economy and constant wars of the post-9/11 era, questioning, “What if we had never gone to war?” Despite being no stranger to controversy, the rapper’s lyrics prompted an apology to the troops some felt he had disrespected.
Cam’ron
In April 2007, Cam’ron sparked outrage during a 60 Minutes interview with Anderson Cooper when he stated he wouldn’t snitch even if a serial killer lived next door, affirming the “Stop Snitchin’” mentality. Four days later, the rapper issued an apology, saying, “I in no way was intending to be malicious or harmful. I apologize deeply for this error in judgment.” Despite not excusing his remarks, Cam’ron explained that he was venting frustrations about criminal injustice in inner cities while acknowledging that his remarks might offend victims and those who risk their lives to protect them.
The Jewish people I know are very wise with there money so that’s why I said we been gettin Jewish money I never thought anyone would take offense I’m sorry if I offended everybody never my intention I love all people
An apology from the rapper 21 Savage arrived during the 2018 holidays for controversial song lyrics that struck some as lacking goodwill and understanding. The rapper faced backlash for “ASMR” from his album, i am > i was. The lyrics, “We been gettin’ that Jewish money, everything is Kosher,” led the rapper to issue an apology for what many considered bigoted and offensive toward the Jewish community. 21 Savage took to Twitter on Christmas Eve to express remorse for offending the Jewish community with lyrics that also drew criticism when quoted by NBA star Lebron James. Savage stated that this particular bar was intended as a compliment about financial wisdom, not an offense.
In 2018, Lil Pump adopted a similar approach when addressing backlash to his song “Butterfly Doors,” in which he made derogatory remarks about the Asian community while mimicking stereotypical eye gestures. Facing mounting pressure from critics like Crazy Rich Asians star Awkwafina, the rapper posted an Instagram apology on Christmas day, stating he meant no harm and has Asian friends, pleading, “It’s all love.”
In 2020, Doja Cat addressed past insensitive remarks on social media regarding rumors that she had used racist language in various white supremacist chat rooms. She stated, “I want to address what’s been happening on Twitter.” She acknowledged using public chat rooms since childhood but clarified, “I personally have never been involved in any racist conversations. I’m sorry to anyone I offended.”
Referring to surfaced clips of her in “racist misogynistic” chat rooms that led to #DojaIsOverParty trending, the rapper affirmed “I’m a Black woman. Half of my family is Black from South Africa and I’m very proud of where I come from.” She added, “I love you all and I’m sorry for upsetting or hurting any of you. That’s not my character and I’m determined to show that to everybody moving forward.”
Lil Mama
At the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, an unexpected and bizarre incident overshadowed the highly-anticipated performance of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ hit song “Empire State Of Mind.” As the iconic duo delivered the show-closing rendition, celebrating their New York roots, an uninvited guest joined them on stage. Lil Mama, a then-rising rapper known for her single “Lip Gloss,” unexpectedly crashed the performance, running up alongside the two superstars.
Jay-Z had swiftly signaled for Lil Mama to exit the stage. However, the young artist remained defiant. She struck a B-girl stance as the headliners concluded their powerful tribute to the Big Apple. The following day, Lil Mama attempted to explain her actions. She offered an apology in a statement to MTV. “I did not mean any disrespect towards Jay-Z or Alicia Keys. I admire them and look up to them as role models,” she expressed. “‘Empire State of Mind’ had my emotions running high. In that moment, I came up onstage to celebrate my two icons singing about NY.”
Lil Nas X addressed backlash over his religion-themed single “J Christ” in a video. He apologized for a TikTok where he consumed communion elements dressed as Jesus. This drew criticism from artists like Lecrae for perceived mockery of Christianity. Though saying “I’m not an evil demon trying to destroy someone’s values,” Nas admitted “I messed up severely,” and the controversy took a “psychological toll.”
He apologized for going “excessive” with the promotional visuals but he defended portraying Jesus, noting others have done the same. The eye-catching “J Christ” video depicts Biblical scenes. It hints at a continued exploration of LGBTQ and religious themes on Nas X’s upcoming album. This follows his debut Montero album, which sparked both praise and backlash.
Ye (Kanye West)
The outspoken and controversial rapper Ye has frequently found himself in situations where he’s had to apologize for his brash statements. Given his tendency for bold and provocative remarks, it’s almost inevitable that he would offend or upset various individuals and groups along the way. In the aftermath of the devastating Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005, Ye made headlines when he bluntly declared on live television that “George Bush doesn’t care about Black people.”
This comment sparked significant backlash and controversy. In 2010, during an interview on the Today show, Kanye expressed regret for his charged remark, stating, “I would tell George Bush, in my moment of intense frustration, I did not have valid grounds to label him a racist. In highly emotional situations like that, we as human beings sometimes fail to choose our words wisely.”
During another incident, an inebriated Ye interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video at the MTV Video Music Awards. “Yo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you and I’mma let you finish,” he remarked, “but Beyoncé had one of the greatest videos ever. Of all time!” Shortly after being escorted out, the rapper offered an all-caps apology to his blog.
“I’m sooooo sorry to Taylor Swift, her fans, and her mother,” Ye penned in his apology. “I spoke to her mom right after, and she said the same thing mine would’ve said. She is extremely talented!” Later, in 2016, Ye released “Famous,” rapping, “I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex/ Why? I made that chick famous.” This ignited further drama between the two and Ye’s then-wife Kim Kardashian over whether Swift approved the line, rendering that initial apology from the rapper a distant memory.
The Game
In the wake of a tumultuous and public falling out that involved traded insults and diss tracks, Game’s association with G-Unit, Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records appeared irreparably damaged. However, in June 2009, he reached out and extended an apology to his former mentor, 50 Cent. During an interview with MTV, Game stated, “For 50, I’m just gonna apologize to him, just as a man. It has nothing to do with music, or beef, or nothing like that. It ain’t about being the bigger man. He can take it and say, Game is apologizing, Game’s a sucka, he’s apologizing. I’m apologizing for me to him, to [Dr.] Dre, to Jimmy Iovine, to Eminem, to all the fans.”
Kid Cudi
In a heated incident during a December 2009 performance at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom, rapper Kid Cudi reacted impulsively after an object thrown from the audience struck him. Amidst the chaos, Cudi leaped off the stage and lashed out. He punched an unsuspecting concertgoer, Michael Sharpe, in the face, despite Sharpe’s lack of involvement in the initial provocation.
Months later, in February 2010, Sharpe spoke to TMZ, revealing that Kid Cudi had reached out to extend an apology and offer a conciliatory gesture – an all-expenses-paid weekend trip to New York City. The olive branch didn’t end there. In June of that year, during Kid Cudi’s set at the Sasquatch Music Festival in Washington state, he brought Sharpe on stage and acknowledged the unfortunate Vancouver incident to the crowd. Cudi stated, “Remember that kid I punched in Vancouver? This is him. I’ve brought him here to hang out. It’s all good now; he’s forgiven me.”
When J Cole gracefully removed himself from the Kendrick Lamar and Drake war, people online and in the hip-hop sphere were tearing him down. So many were disappointed that the “7 Minute Drill” rapper would bow out from the competition, especially given his pen. However, since he dropped the diss that was, frankly, half-hearted, the battlefield has become extremely bloody. He even admitted that himself, and since most fans knew that Cole was always more of a lover and not a fighter, the narrative has switched. Now, spectators have become more understanding and giving him grace online.
However, a new and interesting angle has been making the rounds on the web that someone in the know actually influenced Cole to remove himself from the beef. According to articles from Bossip and AllHipHop, TDE teammate ScHoolboy Q was supposedly the one who helped convince him. A writer witnessed the BLUE LIPS and Might Delete Later MCs chatting at Dreamville Fest. Unfortunately, she was not able to make out what exactly was said, but sources informed her that some sort of warning was passed from Q to Cole.
The severity of the warning was not specified, though. “I’m not specifying what kind of warning — whether it was a bullying move, a Deebo-like maneuver or just a friendly heads-up. I don’t think it matters at this point. But based on what Punch (TDE president) said, I think they gave him what he needed to hear to bow out of the battle with as much grace as possible,” the writer said. Now, J Cole or ScHoolboy Q willing to speak about this conversation will certainly be something to monitor going forward.
What are your thoughts on ScHoolboy Q allegedly warning J Cole to drop out of the Kendrick/Drake beef? If this is true did the TDE labelmate do the right thing here, why or why not? Do you think Cole should have entered the battle to begin with? Who do you have on top right now and why? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s beef, J Cole and ScHoolboy Q. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
Ari Lennox is someone who is not afraid to voice their opinion on something. This is especially true as it pertains to people she doesn’t like. As it turns out, one of those people is none other than Joe Budden. Although Budden has defended Lennox at times on his show, the R&B songstress simply does not like him. A few months ago, she even launched a pretty scathing rant in his direction. Subsequently, he responded in a not-so-kind fashion, calling her a “bag of mixed nuts.”
It’s been an interesting time for Lennox, who was not invited to perform at Dreamville despite being on the label. Furthermore, she got to watch her label boss give an apology to Kendrick Lamar, and subsequently get shamed for it. This ties back to Joe Budden as Budden went on his podcast today and spoke on Cole’s apology. He had a nuanced view of it, however, it was an opinion that would definitely upset a Cole fan. As some noticed, Lennox seemed to be annoyed with Budden’s comments, as her Instagram story reflects this.
In the video above, you can see that Lennox’s entire Instagram story is just the same video from the Love & Hip-Hop Reunion special in which Consequence punched Budden in the back of the head. This is an iconic moment that always ends with Joe saying “that’s what I like” with a maniacal grin on his face. Regardless, it is clear that Lennox is getting some amusement out of Budden’s pain. Now, it will be interesting to see if Budden even responds.
Let us know what you think of the feud between Ari Lennox and Joe Budden, in the comments section down below. Whose side do you see yourself taking in all of this? Do you think Budden had a point in regards to the J Cole apology? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Vince Staples is easily one of the best artists in hip-hop, and he is easily one of the most introspective when it comes to the industry at large. Overall, he has the skills to go toe-to-toe with other artists. However, he has stayed away from beef, his entire career. It can be a good quality to have, especially if you don’t want certain fans turning on you. That said, it seems like Staples has an opinion on rap beef that can only be described as both unique and nuanced. Although in simple terms, rap beef is something he doesn’t particularly care for.
We know this thanks to his recent appearance on The Joe Budden Podcast. During his call on the podcast, Vince was asked what he thought about the recent apology from J. Cole. Furthermore, he was asked what he thought about things heating up between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. As Staples explains, these are things that he doesn’t really care about. Instead, he cares more about artists getting their publishing. He says the war between labels and artists is more important than any war amongst peers.
Budden began to press Staples on the topic, noting that he was being a bit too mature for his own good. However, Staples stood strong with his opinion. At the end of the day, he really doesn’t care for all of the theatrics. He even things that beef is simply a distraction from what does matter, which is artist unity. It is certainly a mature response, and it goes to show that Staples is thinking critically about these things. That said, his opinion will certainly differ from that of the average fan.
Let us know what you think of what Vince Staples had to say, in the comments section down below. Do you agree that rap beef should be overlooked in favor of more serious issues? What do you make of his comments about publishing? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Cole is being ripped apart online these days. Overall, fans are not happy with his decision to apologize, and they are making that very much known. This prompted the famous label executive to give Cole a bit of advice on how to handles these things, in the future. “Kendrick Lamar… he’s the only muthafucka with a cigar,” Suge said. “J. Cole, you’re supposed to say what you mean and mean what you say. To be the best, you gotta beat the best. It’s a contact sport. As we used to say back in the day, if you don’t want to be a gangsta rapper, go be R&B.”
Overall, one could say this is some harsh advice. However, it isn’t any harsher than what has already been said in regard to all of this. Most fans are extremely disappointed in Cole right now. Moreover, some believe this spells the end of hip-hop as a competitive sport. Having said all of that, it is easy to see why Suge would have this kind of take.
Furthermore, let us know what you think of this take from Suge Knight, in the comments section down below. Do you think that Cole actually made a huge mistake by apologizing? Is there a way for him to come back from all of this? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. Overall, we will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
J Cole had himself in a weird situation on Sunday night. Overall, it was all because of the apology he gave to Kendrick Lamar. Just a couple of days prior, Cole dissed Kendrick and his discography on the song “7 Minute Drill.” However, it seems like Cole had an immediate change of heart as he realized his head just wasn’t in this feud. Instead, he wanted to show unity with Lamar, knowing that Kendrick is one of the greatest artists of this generation. Unfortunately for Cole, his decision came with a whole lot of scrutiny, and a questioning of his legacy.
In the aftermath of all of this, J Cole fans are certainly feeling the heat. In fact, some of them are coming up with unique conspiracy theories to try and justify why Cole did what he did. Simply put, his fans are currently fighting for their lives. In fact, one fan took to Reddit where he concocted an interesting theory about Cole and his upcoming album, The Fall Off. Essentially, this fan is of the belief that Cole is simply playing a character. This character is that of a rapper falling off, and his first act was apologizing to Kendrick.
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod (@big_business_) April 9, 2024
On Reddit, the theory was roasted by fans who told him that he was losing his mind. Furthermore, the post was shared on Twitter, where even more ridicule was rained down. Needless to say, any Cole fan who tries to argue in favor of his apology, will be struck down by the internet. It is a sad sight, but at the end of the day, this is rap beef. Apologies are usually going to be clowned upon, and that is no different with a superstar such as Cole.
Let us know what you think of this J Cole theory, in the comments section down below. Do you believe that this theory is actually plausible? Do you believe that the apology is going to affect Cole in any substantial way? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
50 Cent is one of the most legendary rappers of all time. Throughout his career, he has been involved in plenty of feuds. However, he has been able to win the vast majority of them. Overall, you will be hard pressed to find a time when Fif didn’t come out on top. Having said that, he is the perfect person to comment on rap beef, or even give some advice. As of right now, the current beef seems to be between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. We even got a response track from J. Cole, who opted to apologize on Sunday.
For most of Monday, Fif had missed out on this news. Instead, he was mostly preoccupied with the Diddy and Yung Miami sex worker stuff. However, once he caught wind of the J. Cole apology, he decided to take to Instagram. This is where he offered a bit of a message to Cole. Instead of any public advice, it looks like Fif wants to talk with him directly. From there, 50 Cent can impart some wisdom that might make Cole think twice about apologizing in the future.
“WTF how I miss this, @realcoleworld call my phone right now!” 50 Cent wrote. Whether or not Cole actually calls him, remains to be seen. Based on the apology, it does seem like Cole is against moving this any further. Instead, it is going to be up to Drake to say something. After all, that is who Kendrick was mostly addressing on “Like That.”
Let us know what you think of this message from 50 Cent, in the comments section down below. Do you think he will be able to get through to Cole? If he does talk to the rapper on the phone, what do you think he will end up saying? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
J Cole dissed Kendrick Lamar on the track “7 Minute Drill.” Overall, it was simply a response to what K-Dot was saying on “Like That.” However, at Dreamville Fest on Sunday night, Cole got on stage and decided to apologize. In the end, he wasn’t happy with himself and what he said in the diss. As a result, he made sure to give Kendrick his flowers. “I’m so proud of [Might Delete Later] except for one part,” he explained. “There’s one part of that s**t that make me feel like, ‘Man, that’s the lamest s**t I ever did in my f***in’ life,’ right? And I know this is not what a lot of people wanna hear. I can hear my n***as up there being like, ‘Nah, don’t do that.’ But I gotta keep it a hunnid with y’all.”
“At the end of the day, when I listen to it…and I see the talk, that s**t don’t sit right with my spirit. That s**t disrupts my f***ing peace…in the midst of me doing that…and trying to find a little angle and downplay this n***a’s f***in’ catalog and his greatness,” Cole went on to say. “I wanna say right now tonight, how many people think Kendrick Lamar is one of the greatest muthaf**kas that ever touched a f***in’ microphone? Dreamville, y’all love Kendrick Lamar, correct? As do I.”
In the tweets above, you can see that a lot of fans were upset with Cole. In fact, some are now saying that he no longer belongs in the Big Three. Instead, that spot should be going to other artists. Some of the names that were brought up were Wale, Future, and even Big Sean. Needless to say, fans are upset. That said, this does feel like a bit of a leap considering it’s just one blip on his career. Only time will tell if he can get fans on his side again.
Let us know what you thought about J Cole and his apology to Kendrick Lamar, in the comments section down below. Do you think this affects his legacy in a negative way? Will you be changing the way you think of Cole? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Subsequently, fans took to social media where they were absolutely livid with Cole. Apologizing goes against the core tenets of a rap feud. Moreover, it didn’t seem deep enough or serious enough to apologize. Instead, his diss was seen as an invitation for Kendrick to prove his skills. But instead, Cole is running from the smoke, and fans feel a bit betrayed. One person who hates the move is none other than DJ Akademiks, who made this very clear in a rant on Twitter. In fact, as Akademiks revealed, he sent the video of Cole apologizing, to Drake. This is where Ak begged Drizzy to not do the same.
As it turns out, Drake was offended that Ak would think such a thing. “I can’t believe you would say some sh*t like that to me, you must not know me,” the Canadian megastar allegedly said. So there you have it, Drake has no plans to apologize. However, whether or not he has a diss track coming, remains to be seen. The last time he put one out, he got hit with “The Story Of Adidon.” There is a lot riding on his next move, and fans cannot wait to see what he does.
Let us know what you think about this response from Drake, in the comments section down below. Do you believe that Drake has a response track in the tuck? Or is he just going to ignore all of this for now? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
(@big_business_) 