Joe Budden criticizes J. Cole's reaction to Kendrick Lamar diss

The hip-hop world is buzzing with anticipation as J. Cole drops a surprise album, aptly titled “Might Delete Later.” But it’s not just the unexpected release that has fans talking—it’s the fiery response to Kendrick Lamar’s recent diss that’s stealing the spotlight.

The Kendrick Lamar diss: A recap

In case you missed it, Kendrick Lamar took aim at J. Cole and Drake in Future and Metro Boomin’s track “Like That.” His bars were scorching, leaving no room for misinterpretation. But J. Cole, never one to back down, has fired back with his own lyrical artillery.

“7 Minute Drill”: J. Cole strikes back

In the track “7 Minute Drill,” J. Cole doesn’t hold back. He alludes to hearing about Kendrick’s diss and raps,

" I got a phone call, they say that somebody dissing / You want some attention, it come with extensions.” But he doesn’t stop there. J. Cole takes a jab at Kendrick’s career trajectory, saying, “He’s still doing shows but fell off like ‘The Simpsons.’” Ouch! And just to twist the knife a little more, he adds, “His first album was ‘classic,’ but his latest was ‘tragic. J. Cole asserts that Kendrick is past his prime, while he himself has just hit his stride."

The subtle nods: Kendrick’s “the heart” series

J. Cole also references Kendrick’s “The Heart” series, suggesting that Kendrick’s output has slowed down. “He’s averaging one ‘Heart’ verse like every 30 months or something,” J. Cole spits. And if Kendrick thought he could escape unscathed, J. Cole delivers the final blow:

"If he wasn’t dissing, then we wouldn’t be discussing nothin’. But he’s quick to acknowledge Kendrick’s musical prowess, saying, I appreciate his music, but push comes to shove on this mic, I will humble him."

The Big Three: J. Cole, Kendrick, and Drake

The rivalry between J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and Drake has been brewing for years. In Drake’s 2023 song “First Person Shooter,” Cole referred to them as the “big three” in modern rap. But Kendrick didn’t share the sentiment. On Future and Metro Boomin’s joint album “We Don’t Trust You,” he made it clear that he sees himself as the sole titan in the rap game. Drake, surprisingly, has yet to respond directly to Kendrick’s diss.

Joe Budden’s take: J. Cole reigns supreme

Joe Budden, a seasoned hip-hop commentator, weighed in on the feud during a recent episode of The Joe Budden Podcast. He praised J. Cole’s response, declaring him his number one rapper ahead of Drake and Kendrick.

" I got Cole as my one, Joe stated. “I’m hoping that Kendrick’s next album could try to fix that for me. Drake is doing his Chuck E. Cheese sh*t. Good for him. That’s it now."

Joe Budden specifically focuses on the tone of J. Cole's delivery, suggesting that it sounds "narcoleptic," meaning dull or lethargic. Budden is implying that J. Cole's delivery lacks energy and passion, likening it to something that would accompany a drug-induced stupor.

He expresses a desire to hear J. Cole sound more vibrant and lively in his delivery, rather than sounding disinterested or subdued. This critique highlights Budden's preference for more dynamic and engaging performances from artists like J. Cole.

"The tone, Joe Budden remarked as to what his main problem with the verse was, or at least the point he and his cohosts discussed the most. This is my issue with this f**&ing narcoleptic sounding s**t. This sounds like... if I was actively looking to cop fentanyl this is what I would put on. I want to hear him sound alive."

As the rap world holds its breath, one thing is certain: the beef is far from over. J. Cole’s “7 Minute Drill” has set the stage for an epic showdown. Will Kendrick Lamar retaliate? Only time will tell. But for now, hip-hop fans are feasting on the drama, eagerly awaiting the next move in this lyrical chess match.