J. Cole Has Finally Spoke Out On Pulling Out Of The Kendrick Lamar and Drake Beef on His New Song "Port Antonio"

“I pulled the plug because I seen where that was about to go/ They wanted blood, they wanted clicks to make they pockets grow/ I wouldn't have lost the battle, dog, I would've lost a bro, I would've gained a foe/ And all for what? Just to attain some more props from strangers that don’t got a clue what I been aimin’ for”  - J Cole "Port Antonio"

In the world of rap, where beef is as common as a catchy beat, J. Cole has always been a bit of an enigma. While other rappers were busy throwing lyrical punches, Cole was off riding his bike, building sandcastles, and quietly amassing a fortune.

But when the rap world erupted in a clash of titans earlier this year – Drake vs. Kendrick – Cole seemingly vanished.

First he dropped an official response to Kendrick, alongside Drake, then yanked it off the internet and issued an official apology just days later. 

John Rich called it "the softest move (he'd) ever seen".

Since then, the world witnessed as Drake got dogwalked by Kendrick, and Kendrick continues to become an even bigger and bigger name- even landing this year's Super Bowl halftime show.

Some whispered he was scared, a coward dodging the lyrical crossfire. Others speculated he was secretly plotting, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. But as the dust settled and the smoke cleared, Cole emerged, not with a diss track, but with a contemplative, introspective song titled "Port Antonio."

The song is classic Cole: smooth flow, thoughtful lyrics, and a beat that samples a '90s hip-hop classic. But hidden within the verses are some sly jabs and a healthy dose of "I told you so." Cole addresses the critics who questioned his silence, smirking at those who thought he was afraid to step into the ring. He reminds everyone that he's not about chasing clout or engaging in pointless feuds.

Cole addresses Drake directly, assuring him that there's no bad blood. (LOL) He even acknowledged Drake's influence on his career, squashing any rumors of taking sides. It seems Cole is attempting to take the high road, focusing on the art of rap rather than the drama. 

But that's kind of bullshit no? 

And I am a giant J Cole fan.

But a spades a spade. And J Cole popping his head up now, now that Drake has been dead and buried for months, and telling Drake "there's no bad blood, we're still cool" isn't for him to be saying. 

He's the one who ducked out of the battle and left his boy Drake (who he was just wrapping up a dual-headlining-tour with) to fend for himself. It's up to Drake to say whether there's bad blood here or not. 

And I don't even fault J Cole for making the decision he made. At the time I thought he was smart. Today, I think he is a genius with a crystal ball. Him ducking out and apologizing to Kendrick Lamar looks like one of the smartest business decisions a rapper has ever made in their life. (And yes, that goes ahead of 50 Cent investing in Vitamin Water at the ground level)