J. Cole is speaking candidly about the fallout from the explosive feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, calling out what he views as opportunistic criticism disguised as commentary.
In a recently surfaced clip from his sit-down with Cam’ron on an upcoming episode of Cam’ron’s Talk With Flee podcast, the North Carolina lyricist reflected on how quickly the culture became divided once the battle intensified.
According to Cole, the spat between Drake and Kendrick Lamar caused lines to be drawn amid what many dubbed a brewing Hip-Hop Civil War.
“Right away, the world, it became like politics,” Cole said during the conversation, which is scheduled for release on Tuesday (March 24). “You’re either Democrat or Republican, you’re either Kendrick or you’re Drake, and you’ve got to pick a side. And I felt like the ni**a that was disgusted both ways, damn near.”
Drake attends Drake’s Till Death Do Us Part rap battle on October 30, 2021 in Long Beach, California.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
While Cole deliberately avoids weighing in on whether the personal attacks exchanged crossed a line, he made it clear that the surrounding discourse frustrated him—particularly from those who seized the moment to air long-held grievances against Drake. “When you say did it get out of hand? Creatively, that’s not my place to say.”
He continued, sharply criticizing what he perceives as a coordinated effort to diminish Drake’s legacy. “It’s disgusting how people tried to use that opportunity to either show how they really felt about Drake the whole time or just pile on and tear this dude down and create a narrative as if he’s not great. It was a whole campaign and probably still is ’til this day.”
At the same time, Cole acknowledged the undeniable momentum Kendrick Lamar gained in the aftermath. From the success of GNX to high-profile moments like The L.A. Pop Out: Ken & Friends and a headline-grabbing Super Bowl Halftime Show appearance, Lamar’s cultural dominance was evident, further cemented by multiple Grammy Awards wins.
Kendrick Lamar accepts the Best Rap Album award for “GNX” onstage during the 68th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Cole admitted feeling torn given his personal ties to both artists. “But I also hate that for Drake and I hate how the world turns on him.” Still, he’s rooting for Drake to respond in a big way this year, as he’s set to release his long-awaited Iceman, which Cole “hopes goes crazy.”
The Drake–Kendrick Lamar battle stands as one of hip-hop’s most defining modern rivalries, marked by blistering diss tracks, deeply personal barbs, and a shift in public perception that favored Lamar. The fallout saw Drake face heightened scrutiny, while Kendrick’s stature reached new heights.
Caught in the middle, J. Cole initially contributed to the tension with his appearance on Drake’s “First Person Shooter” and a brief foray into the conflict via a diss track of his own—one he later walked back, choosing instead to step away from the hostility and advocate for perspective amid the chaos.
Watch J. Cole speak on Drake and Kendrick Lamar below.