“I Would’ve Lost a Bro, Gained a Foe: J. Cole Reflects on Drake-Lamar Beef in New Song ‘Port Antonio’

Jermaine Lamarr Cole, better known as J. Cole, recently clarified his decision to withdraw from the ongoing rap rivalry between Drake and Kendrick Lamar that has intensified in April. On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, he debuted his new track “Port Antonio”on YouTube, where he delivered powerful lines reflecting on his choices:

“I pulled the plug because I seen where that was ’bout to go/ They wanted blood, they wanted clicks to make they pockets grow/ They see this fire in my pen and think I’m dodgin’ smoke/ I wouldn’t have lost a battle, dawg, I woulda lost a bro I woulda gained a foe/And all for what?”

The discord between Lamar and Drake has been simmering since the early 2010s, but this year saw a significant escalation with a series of diss tracks, attacking each other’s professional and personal lives.

Initially, J. Cole participated in the dispute, even releasing a track titled “7 Minute Drill”that critiqued Kendrick. However, he quickly backtracked, issuing a public apology to Kendrick and removing the track from streaming platforms.

“My friends went to war, I walked away with all they blood on me”- J. Cole contemplates the aftermath of ‘7 Minute Drill’

The tensions began escalating last October following the collaboration between Drake and J. Cole on “First Person Shooter,”during which J. Cole suggested they, along with Kendrick Lamar, represented the “big three”in modern hip-hop.

However, Kendrick’s response came during his feature on Metro Boomin and Future’s “Like That”in March 2024, where he proclaimed:

“Motherf**k the big three, n***a, it’s just big me.”

In retaliation, Cole used “7 Minute Drill”to allege that Kendrick’s career was “falling off like the Simpsons” and described Kendrick’s latest album, “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers,”as “tragic.”

But just two days later, during his performance at the Dreamville Festival in North Carolina, J. Cole expressed regret for his “lame”and “goofy”diss, labeling it a “misstep.”He emphasized his desire to reconnect with his authentic self and mentioned feeling so remorseful that he nearly experienced a “relapse.”

Reflecting on the pressures that led to his response, J. Cole shared:

“I was conflicted because… I know how I feel about my peers, these two (rappers) that I’ve been blessed to even stand beside… But the world want to see blood.”

He went on to commend Kendrick’s body of work, deeming him “one of the greatest” in the industry.

Nonetheless, Cole faced backlash from both fans and critics for his diss track and subsequent withdrawal, with many deeming it a half-hearted reaction. This controversy opened discussions surrounding men’s mental health, black masculinity, and the competitive nature of hip-hop.

In “Port Antonio,”J. Cole elaborated on his choice to step away from the conflict, recognizing the dangerous trajectory the dispute was heading and prioritizing the preservation of friendships. He highlighted that external influences were attempting to capitalize on the feud.

The “Born Sinner”artist also tackled the criticism he faced for his decision, which some claimed tarnished his reputation. He expressed:

“I understand the thirst of being first that made ’em both swing/ Protectin’ legacies, so lines got crossed, perhaps regrettably/ My friends went to war, I walked away with all they blood on me/ Now some will discredit me, try wipe away my pedigree.”

Throughout the song, J. Cole reached out to Drake, affirming that their bond remains strong and intact.

Both the release of this latest track and his previous apology to Kendrick demonstrate that the Dreamville Records co-founder is intent on maintaining positive relationships with his fellow artists. He has opted for moral integrity rather than seeking validation from others, stating, “Jermaine is no king, if that means I gotta dig up dirt.”

As of now, neither Kendrick Lamar nor Drake has publicly responded to “Port Antonio.”

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