Music
J. Cole responds to Kendrick Lamar with the ‘7-minute exercise’ – let’s break it down

When I woke up two weeks ago, I heard Kendrick Lamar criticizing Drake and J. Cole on this song “Yes” from Metro Boomin and Future’s album “WE DON’T TRUST YOU” The 20-12 months-old hip-hop fan in me was excited. In the verse that made almost everyone listen to this song, Kendrick took a shot at two hip-hop titans, ridiculing the idea of Rap Big 3 as suggested by J. Cole in “First Person Shooter” – from Drake’s lackluster album “For All dogs.” I was ready for Drake – who famously had high- and low-stakes feuds with Pusha T, Meek Mill and Common (among others) and has smoked for a litany of artists – to get competitive and drop a few bars but we have some inspirational quotes from the scene and some captions (?) on Instagram. Le sighs.
On the other hand, I had no doubt that J. Cole would respond in some way. When? I had no idea, but there’s no way one of the few rappers would appreciate his incredible lyricism and signature look, which undoubtedly puts him as one of, if not the greatest “feature rappers” of all time. Again, this is debatable, but I’m willing to say it. If J. Cole is featured in someone’s song, I RUN to listen to it. And it doesn’t matter what he does. He hits 1,000 on features. His appearances in songs from Benny the Butcher Down 21 Wild Down Summer walker Down Little Yachty Down Lil Durka whoever and wherever he goes, it’s a trail of flames. However, his albums leave a lot to be desired. So much so that I HOPE he would hop on someone’s album and write a Kung Fu Kenny verse that would let the hip-hop world know that if you want smoke, he’s got fire.
So fill me with curiosity but caution when I woke up to a text from a homie that read, “Surprise Cole album! So much for the bed.” Even though I’m always worried that his albums will be too mediocre, his albums are events, so I played “Might Delete Later” because Cole earned my auditions. I knew there was going to be a diss record, and I looked through the tracklist of what it might be, focusing on the last album, 7 Minute Drill, because Cole has a tendency to put the important album last – and I was right. Before I got to this song, however, I decided to listen to the rest of the album, and let me just say that I really appreciate that J. Cole continues the tradition of Drake’s “Honestly, Nevermind” album with the title – “Might Delete Later” – which can also be a sufficient review of the album.
That’s okay though. The highlight of this album is “7 Minute Drill”, through which J. Cole responds to Kendrick. Over the course of three and a half minutes and a beat change, we get a Jay-Z-style assessment of Kendrick’s legacy from “The Takeover” and a warning that Cole can have to bet on Kendrick Nino Brown, which is fascinating because he bet on Kendrick on “First Person Shooter” himself, Kendrick and Drake on the same status. But now he may need to take his brother somewhere Nino had to make Gee Money in “New Jack City”. Well played, Cole. Well played. I quite appreciated the reference as a way of explaining the situation.
In reference to Kendrick’s catalog, here’s what Cole had to say:
This is what people will probably discuss… because it is true. Even the most die-hard Kendrick fan should agree with what Cole reads in Kendrick’s catalog. “Good Kid, MAAD City” was a classic and “DAMN” was a monster. But “To Pimp a Butterfly,” while ambitious and noteworthy because it is kind of unique as a hip-hop record, is healthier talked about than listened to. The same goes for “Lord”. Morale and The Big Steppers” can also be one other ambitious and amazing concept album, but I doubt many individuals listen to it repeatedly, if in any respect.
The only reservation I even have about his bars is that Cole’s catalog is not all that great. I’m not even sure if he actually has anything that might be considered a classic. The closest non-compilation album could be “2014 Forest Hills Drive” – I believe, and that is the extent of it. “The Off-Season,” his last album, had some great records, but a classic? Eh. Nothing else really reaches the level of classic or different than J. Cole stands. I believe most of us who don’t think J. Cole is Rap Jesus but really like him are waiting for this album to make us all understand the hype. But that is neither here nor there; he remains to be one in all the GOATS. The thing is, J. Cole going through Kendrick’s catalog is a bit weird when, well, Cole’s best work is not even on his own albums; as I said, J. Cole’s features are price the price of admission, the albums… not a lot.
But again, I’m glad this album exists. We have two famous and talented rappers who release albums in the kind of iron-blades-iron. Cole and Kendrick clearly have a mutual respect for one another – how could they not, they have been working together since the starting – so it’s all hip-hop. J. Cole is undoubtedly one in all the best spitters in the game. It makes no effort for him, and I can not help but appreciate and respect it. Hip-hop is healthier due to J. Cole’s qualities. And Kendrick is Kendrick; at this point who knows what he’ll do next, but when he releases the album we’ll all discuss it again because that is what happens with releases.
Hopefully we’ll record a number of more records in that point before one or the other comes out at the other’s show in Los Angeles or Charlotte. In the meantime, I’ll be waiting for J. Cole’s rumored final album, The Fall Off, similar to the remainder of the hip-hop world.
Oh, and I assume we’ll keep waiting for Drake’s response.
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Music
Seven questions we have before Sean “Diddy” Combs “begins the federal process

After the official stage of selecting the jury, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Day in court is just around the corner.
On Monday, April 28, a whole lot of New Yorkers began the questionnaire process to find out their impartiality in the federal process “United States against Combs ” NBC News Reported.
The 55-year-old disgraced musical tycoon is in the face of many federal allegations, including racketeers, sexual trade and transport as a way to become involved in prostitution, resulting from many lawsuits that were filed against him. The amazing variety of complaints started to appear in months since he decided against him civil lawsuit by his ex -girlfriend and singer Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura in November 2023.
The next phase of the selection process of the jury, which might be carried out in person, will start on Monday, May 5, in court Daniel Patrick Moynihan in Manhattan. Opening declarations are to begin on May 12. The federal process is to last from eight to 10 weeks.
Since the initial notification of Cassie, which was settled only a day after its assembly, there have been many alternative allegations from many alternative parts of the rapper’s past, not to say a whole lot of gossip and growing around. Numerous documentaries and real crimes They also added to the conversation.
At this point, a lot of us can wander away in the noise of understanding how we came above all and what exactly are the tests. Many questions surround the attempt, including the technique to watch it (if possible), which is to be there and more. Below we return to clarify exactly how we came and say what to anticipate from the trial.
What are Diddy’s fees?
After the federal raid of Combs’ Los Angeles, Miami and New York, Diddy real estate was arrested on September 16, 2024 and is in the face of 5 federal allegations: tribute conspiracy, based on the allegations of prosecutors that the tycoon was led by a criminal enterprise to consolidate the assault; Two allegations of sexual trade, because he’s accused of forcing women to take part in sexual files with sex employees and drug -powered sex events “; and two cases of transport as a way to become involved in prostitution, resulting from the claims that he transported two women on state lines for prostitution.
What about all other accusations?
In addition to the trial, Combs are in the face of countless other processes and allegations, accusing him of improper behavior, abuse, rape and assault. Tony Buzbee, a lawyer from Texas, known for coping with loud lawsuit about sexual assault against powerful men (including a recent lawsuit value $ 50 million submitted against Shannon Sharpe), is involved in several trials against Diddy. He said that over 100 men and women from throughout the United States filed lawsuits against the rap tycoon or intended.
What did Diddy say?
Combs contradicts all allegations in a civil lawsuit against him. Talking with BBC NewsHis lawyers said: “Mr. Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts and integrity of the trial.”
The statement added: “In court the truth will win: that Mr. Combs never sexually attacked or trade anyone – a man or a woman, an adult or minor.”

Is Cassie expected at his process?
Filing a Cassie catchment in a civil court almost two years ago was settled outside the court the day the day after its assembly. Diddy issued an apology after a physically recording leaked, which physically attacks her in the hotel corridor. However, this led many other accusers to the allegations, including those with the participation of minors that led federal investigators to a proper investigation in the potential case. The singer, who can also be a victim 1 in court documents, will testify in court under her full name.
The judge of the American District Arun Subramanian will chair the case in the southern district of New York, People magazine Reported. The COME Defense Team, led by Marc Agnifilo, includes Teny Geragos, the daughter of the famous lawyer Marek Geragos, known for representing the Menendez brothers, amongst others.
Georgian prosecutor Brian Steel, who represented rapper Young Thuga in his loud tribute process, also recently joined the Combs defense team.
Several US lawyers assistants, including Maurene Ryan Comey, daughter of former FBI director James Comey, conducts the prosecutor’s office. Maureen Comey chased Ghislaine Maxwell in her sexual trade process.
It will end up whether the sons of Combs Justin, Christian (Combs) and Quincy (Brown), who participated in previous court hearingsmight be present.
Where is Diddy now?
From the time of arrest on September 16, 2024, Diddy was behind bars at the Metropolitan Airesent Center in Brooklyn in New York, waiting for the trial. Many attempts to his lawyers exempt from Bond and strict guidelines failed because prosecutors are anxious about his ability to influence the case.
How much is he struggling?
If he’s convicted of racketeers, Diddy is prison. Meanwhile, if he found him guilty of two allegations of sexual trade, he’s in the face of a further not less than 15 years. Transport for the purposes of prostitution fees features a maximum judgment of 10 years.
Will the process be broadcast on television?
Cameras and electronic devices are often not allowed during court proceedings, so it’s unlikely to be broadcast, Vulture Reported. Although the media is not going to be allowed in the courtroom, they will report outside.

(Tagstranslate) Cassie (T) Sean Combs
Music
Kendrick Lamara and “Not Like Us” lessons – a year later

At the top of March 2025-I used to be just greater than a month ago-I used to be asked for a party for a newly broken 7-year-old. When I asked the boy’s mother if there have been any special requests for songs, the just one she could take into consideration was Kendrick Lamara’s “Not Lame”, a song that for my part just isn’t possible to surprise in history, since the song defining 2024. It was time in my life when Kendrick Lamar’s song dressed. “Squabble Up” from the most recent album of Lamar, “GNX”, the album The Rapper, currently gives live shows within the United States and Canada from SZA to sold -out stadiums. Kendrick Lamar is currently one among the best artists on the planet.
In May 2024, my children knew Lamara only by name; Now they know his catalog and argue about who can call essentially the most songs in it. A year after Lamar dropped “Not Like Us”, one of the crucial virulent and dance records DISS of all time, the whole lot is feasible for Lamar. For Drake, the recipient of this eating and dance record Diss … eh, not a lot. Who would think that?
“Not Like Us” was released on May 4, 2024 and It wasn’t even the one song released by Lamar that day. What began kind of, with the hospitable verse of Lamar on the longer term and “Like that this” (March 22), led to the discharge of Drake “Pushs” (April 13), and then “Taylor created freestyle” (April 19), after which for my part is the actual best record in the entire form, “Euphoria” (April 30). Then got here the fluurry: Kendrick dropped “6:16 in La” on May 3, and then Drake released “Matters Family” later on the identical day.
Very shortly after Drake dropped this record, Kendrick returned to “Meet The Grahams” (within the early May) of the group’s absolute darkest record, then dropped his record, “Not Like Us” later that day. What a difference a day. Drake will drop “The Heart entitled 6”, but to be honest, no person cared. Damage was caused; Kendrick, Drake, with “Not Like Us”, catchy bop with quote lines, wildly repetitive accusations and a section of connection and answers, which I mean, if you happen to need a plan, tips on how to recognize one among the best acts on the planet, Kendrick jumped and showed (Folks).
This song led to the entire concert, called Amazon, called “Pop out: ken & friends” in Juneteenth (June 19, 2024), where Drake had all night dedicated to his face, assisted by Dr. Dre and most LA celebrities, which also doubled as some Unity Unity program in Los Angeles.
July 4 Video for “Not like us” I fell, transferring the “jumping” motif to latest, heavy levels of Compton. This film has over 330 million views, which seems … low. The success of the identical song meant that the machine appears in Super Bowl … In February 2025 you saw. I saw it. This is essentially the most regularly viewed show of the Super Bowl in history. And even if you happen to have not watched it in real time, definitely obviously I watched the video replay; The performance on the YouTube NFL website currently has over 120 million views.
I believe it might be safely said that “not like us” modified the whole lot. Sure, before this beef with Drake (we’ll soon reach him), Kendrick was already one of the crucial respected artists in hip-hop, let alone musical. He is the one rapper who received the Pulitzer Award (thus far), won 22 Grammy Awards – five, of which he won in 2025 for “Not Like Us” – not less than two separate books written about him from an analytical perspective by two very respected journalists, and his song “Alight” is the song Black Lives Matter Ruch. He will succeed beyond the wildest imagination of most rappers, but “not like us” turned Kendrick into a different way.
“Not Like Us” turned him into a pop star, whose songs live at the highest of the charts; Currently, his song “Luther” from Shans is the primary song within the country and He has been for 10 weeks. Kendrick does things that Drake once did, aside from doing it without creating songs, which after all are to hit the highest of the hits. Quoting Jay-Z from his song “Come and Get Me” from 1999, Kendrick didn’t crossover, “brought suburbs to the hood.” A year later, Kendrick Lamar appears in Gatorade advertisements, which might not seem shocking a year ago, but now seems obvious. His vulgar with Drake and ultimately the discharge of the song, which took over the complete conversation resulting in the album, which became a right away classic, modified Kendrick, a year later, into a certified pop sensation. Kendrick has at all times been a transcendent artist, but now he’s in a rare atmosphere of each transcendent and business.

There can be Drake, which for my part is now and will at all times be one of the crucial sold artists on the planet. He has … a year; Much longer than I believe he (or anyone) expected, but he went. But so long that Drake had his back against the wall and such a non-hop way was illuminating. Shortly after dropping the “GNX” Lamar Drake, he began proceedings in motion, which might find yourself suing his own label – Universal Music Group (UMG) – contributing to the undeniable fact that they effectively overstated “they don’t like us” for profit on the expense of Drake. Remember, Drake and Kendrick are on the identical label.
In the movement, which a year ago, which never seemed prone to me from Canadian Teflon, now feels the best as possible karen hip-hop, and very intruder, which Kendrick accused him, a costume that can’t shake (yet). I even have never had a problem with Drake’s music, because Drake at all times made hits and like Kendrick, I like Drake, who makes me dance within the club. But now I don’t love Drake as a man; It seems small and small and like a sore loser. I’m not alone in it. Drake’s Cool has long gone. There is a guy who can release music – the album from Partynextdoor on Valentine’s Day, that even he would need to admit that he didn’t hit the identical – but he doesn’t move the needle anymore. He is Drake with all distinctions, no cultural trace. In fact, it isn’t any longer like us.
I do not know what is going to occur next to Kendrick Lamar. At the moment he’s on the longest lap of the victory of all time, reaching heights, I bet that even his own team didn’t realize that he was available to him. At the moment there may be Barry Bonds with the Home Run record; He was already entering Galeria Sław, but now he’s talking to one of the best to do that, jumping a few of those that believed that their gaps were cemented. Everything is subjective and that is what hip-hop is for, what to argue, analyze, enjoy and dance. Regardless of how you chop it, I bet that nobody could predict how one song could make Kung Fu Kenny’s profession look a year later.
Now, if you happen to forgive me, I even have to do the trick while my son asks “television” within the automobile, not only because he likes to shout “mustaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa”,, “loved” the whole lot I wanted was a black big nation, being rational, give them what they ask for “uh …”.
What a difference annually.

(Tagstranslate) @Ap
Music
Kendrick Lamar leads with 10 nominations for the American Music Awards 2025 nomination

The nominations for this yr’s American Music Awards have been released, and Kendrick Lamar leads with the most nominations in various categories. Nominated for “Artist of the Year”, “Album of the Year”, “Song of the Year”, and more, Lamar won 10 nominations in eight different categories, especially for his explosive song “Not Like Us” and his album “GNX”.
With three victories AMA behind the belt, Billboard He reports that Rapper Compton could also be associated with music legends Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston for the most winning awards for a yr, if he wins in all eight categories.
However, Lamar shouldn’t be the only black artist that hosted this yr’s nominations. Shabozey follows the seven nomination and Sha (currently on the route with Lamar to their “Grand National Tour”) with six. Others noteworthy black artists, resembling Doechia, Glorilla, Tyler the Creator, Usher and more received nominations.
Meanwhile, Shabozey’s “Where I Winder ID, it is not where I’m going”, and “Cowboys Carter” Beyoncé is nominated for the category “Favorite Country album”, emphasizing a small step in the diversification of the genre. Last yr, having each breaking records in the national category, the singers of “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “A Bar Song (tips)” are appropriately applying for favorite men and women’s artists.
2025 AMA is to happen live with Las Vegas on May 26. Live emission at 20:00 ET/17 PM PT on CBS, the prize show will even be available to observe through Streamer, Paramount+.
(Tagstranslate) American Music Awards (T) Beyoncé
(*10*)This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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