Fat Joe recently weighed in on the rap battle between J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar, suggesting that Cole’s apology to Kendrick impacted his own legacy. The discussion took place during an episode of the Jay Shetty Podcast that aired on Monday, July 29.
According to Fat Joe, when you’re called out in Hip-Hop, you must respond. He drew from his own experience, having engaged in one of the biggest and most dangerous beefs with 50 Cent. Joe expressed admiration for J. Cole but pointed out that Cole’s decision to back down from the battle with K. Dot affected his reputation.
“He probably saw that it could get real messy and real ugly,” Joe explained. “So he said, ‘Yo, you know this ain’t me. I don’t want any part of it.’ But, he definitely got a stripe off… In Hip-Hop, when they call you out, you come out.”
Kanye West also criticized J. Cole’s apology. During an interview on The Download podcast in May, Kanye referred to Cole as a “pussy” for not standing his ground in the rap battle. Kanye emphasized that Cole had toured with Drake and should have faced the challenge head-on.
Fat Joe’s take on the matter adds to the ongoing debate within the Hip-Hop community. While some artists, like T.I., praised Cole for choosing peace and tranquility, others, including 50 Cent, expressed disappointment at the perceived backing down.
Regardless of opinions, J. Cole’s legacy remains a topic of discussion, and his decision in the Kendrick Lamar feud continues to resonate among fans and fellow artists alike.
