J. Cole is taking the high road when it comes to his relationship with Kanye West, despite the latter’s recent social media jabs. During his headlining performance at Dreamville Festival on Sunday, Cole made a heartfelt gesture of respect towards Ye, acknowledging the rapper’s influence on his early career.
While performing his hit single “Work Out,” Cole paused to share a personal story with the audience about how Kanye’s music had a direct impact on the song’s creation. He revealed that while listening to Kanye’s “The New Workout Plan” from The College Dropout, he was struck with inspiration. “I know n****s feel a way about him right now, but I got love for [Ye] and I really appreciate him,” Cole told the crowd, emphasizing Kanye’s role in helping clear samples for him. That pivotal moment ultimately led to the creation of “Work Out,” the lead single from his 2011 debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story. “It’s like it spoke to me,” Cole recalled, explaining how the sample drew him in.
Cole’s Response to Kanye’s Recent Attacks
This display of gratitude from Cole comes just weeks after Kanye took to social media to lash out at the rapper. On X (formerly Twitter), Ye posted a series of attacks aimed directly at Cole. He began by writing, “I hate J Cole music so much,” followed by insinuations about the industry’s role in pitting Cole against Drake. “Then we would have been accosted with a Cole Super Bowl commercial with no SZA song to save it,” Kanye added, criticizing the public’s response to Cole’s music.
Ye didn’t stop there, claiming, “No one listens to Cole after losing their virginity,” and recalling a conversation with Drake during the Donda era, where Kanye supposedly told Drake that supporting Cole was “hurting hip hop,” while praising Future instead. These online outbursts come after years of tension between the two artists, with shots fired in songs like Cole’s “False Prophets” and Kanye’s recent remix of “Like That,” where he rapped, “Play J. Cole, get the p***y dry.”
Keeping It Classy
Despite Kanye’s recent verbal attacks, J. Cole maintained a mature and graceful stance. Instead of retaliating, Cole chose to honor the music and the impact Kanye had on his artistic journey. By keeping the focus on respect for Kanye’s influence and offering his appreciation for past collaborations, Cole’s actions speak volumes about his professionalism.
Rather than fueling the fire of their ongoing feud, Cole’s decision to focus on the positive aspects of their shared history shows his commitment to maintaining a level of respect, even in the face of public criticisms. This class act from J. Cole highlights that, despite any personal or professional differences, he remains rooted in the music and the journey that brought him to where he is today.
