J. Cole made a legendary move

OPINION: After rebuking his own response to Kendrick Lamar’s diss track and insisting that he followed his spirit, J. Cole did something unforgettable.

J. Cole’s speech on the Dreamville Festival was probably the most legendary gestures we have ever seen in hip-hop. In his heart, he didn’t wish to fight Kendrick Lamar or anyone else. Not because he’s afraid of losing, but because Cole doesn’t want a war in any respect. Because in his spirit, fighting is just not who he’s. He is an MC who has a sense of purpose, and that purpose doesn’t include attempting to tear down one other MC. Even though everyone in hip-hop told him to go to war, in his spirit it wasn’t right. Seeing him follow what his spirit told him to do is powerful.

I really like the competitive aspect of hip-hop as much as anyone. I really like great battles, but much more I really like watching a man look deep into his spirit, take heed to his feelings, and switch away from peer pressure so he might be the person he truly aspires to be. This is about greater than just hip-hop, it’s about a man saying that regardless of what version of me the world demands, I insist on being the very best version of myself on my terms.

Cole said he appears like “7 Minute Drill” now. His response to Lamar bashing him on “Like That” was “the worst bullshit I’ve ever done in my fucking life.” He said, “This shit doesn’t fit my spirit… This shit disturbs my fucking peace.” It’s a powerful statement that feels much larger than anything he could say on the album. Cole turned away from the warrior instinct that rappers were alleged to have and that men were alleged to have, and as a substitute followed the voice inside that was leading him towards peace. This will likely be remembered significantly better than any clever anti-Kendrick couplets he might need rhymed.

I respect this rather more than the fighting since it shows him attempting to be his highest, calmest self despite the noise of the group calling on him to be a verbal soldier. It’s essentially the most authentic move Cole could have made – it speaks to someone who knows themselves and values ​​their inner peace over recognition. Despite the embarrassment and shame which will accompany reprimanding one’s own words and publicly admitting one’s mistake. He said, “I pray that you just all will forgive me for my mistake, and I’ll have the option to return to my true path. Because I won’t mislead you all. The last two days have been terrible. That’s how I understand how well I’ve slept for the last 10 years.”

We’ve seen Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles say no. My spirit is not aligned with what I am doing and what the world says I should be doing, so I listen to myself and change course. This is similar. I admire Cole for putting his mental health ahead of the world’s expectations.

I can’t imagine the peer pressure Cole felt after Kendrick’s diss. He talked about this in Dreamville, referring to his phone exploding. “The world wants to see blood,” he said. This is what we are supposed to do as Black men, right? If someone offends you, you will take even stronger revenge on him. That’s what rappers are supposed to do, right? Attack anyone who says anything about you. Instead, Cole swam against both currents because the spirit told him no. This is a powerful example of how to live life on your own terms.

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