Rapper Daylyt recently shed light on a conversation he had with J. Cole about the controversial Kendrick Lamar diss track, “7 Minute Drill.” The song, which caused a significant stir online, was swiftly removed from streaming platforms after Cole apologized to Lamar.
During an appearance on TDE affiliate Mackwop’s livestream, Daylyt shared details about Cole’s reasoning behind retracting the track and the deeper principles guiding his decision.
The Conversation with J. Cole
“Right before everything went down, I spoke to Cole, and we had a deep conversation about it,” Daylyt explained. “He told me, ‘This isn’t sitting right with me. Me and Dot [Kendrick Lamar] are cool—really cool—outside of music.’”
Cole likened the situation to a friendly slap-boxing match that could escalate into something more serious. “He didn’t want it to spiral into a real feud,” Daylyt added.
Cole reportedly expressed regret over the song, admitting he may have overreacted to Kendrick’s subtle jab: “All he said was, ‘Big three is just me.’ I didn’t need to respond with a full song. I could’ve kept it subliminal instead of going all in.”
Daylyt encouraged Cole to follow his instincts, telling him, “If it’s not sitting right with you, then it’s time to let it go.” He emphasized that Cole’s decision wasn’t about fearing competition but staying true to his principles.
Cole’s Public Retraction
The following day, J. Cole surprised fans by pulling the track from all platforms. Daylyt admitted he was caught off guard by the move: “I didn’t think he’d take it to the level of retracting it publicly, but I respect him for doing that.”
J. Cole later addressed the incident in his surprise track, “Port Antonio,” his first public commentary since stepping back from the brief tension with Kendrick earlier this year.
“Port Antonio”: J. Cole’s Reflection on Rap Beef Culture
In “Port Antonio,” J. Cole delivers a candid reflection on his decision to pull “7 Minute Drill” and his broader disdain for rap beefs.
“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,” he raps.
The introspective track condemns the music industry’s obsession with sensationalism and the online culture that amplifies conflict. It showcases Cole’s commitment to integrity and meaningful artistry.
Soulful Production and Notable Samples
“Port Antonio” features samples from Lonnie Liston Smith’s “A Garden of Peace,” famously used in Jay-Z’s “Dead Presidents,” and Cleo Sol’s “Know That You Are Loved,” also featured in Big Sean’s “Boundaries.” With its soulful production and introspective lyrics, the song reinforces Cole’s refusal to compromise his values, even under industry pressure.
A Lesson in Staying True
J. Cole’s decision to retract “7 Minute Drill” and his reflections in “Port Antonio” offer a rare glimpse into his thought process as an artist navigating the complexities of fame, competition, and authenticity. While fans may have been intrigued by the potential of a feud, Cole’s actions remind us that staying true to oneself often outweighs the allure of controversy.
