Did J. Cole just diss Kanye West?
Surprise—J. Cole is back.
In October, the North Carolina rapper announced that he would be disappearing for a bit. Fans were disappointed, only to have their emotions flip after an unexpected album, called 4 Your Eyez Only, was uncovered on iTunes preorder for a release next week.
The first track to drop from the project is "False Prophets," after hearing the song, many listeners are convinced Cole talking about the one and only Kanye West.
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In the track, Cole speaks about West's career and calls him out for ghost writing and more.
"Ego in charge of every move, he's a star / And we can't look away," Cole raps on the track. "He's fallin' apart, but we deny it / Justifying that half-ass shit he dropped, we always buy it / When he tell us he a genius but it's clearer lately / It's been hard for him to look into the mirror lately."
He goes on to address the fact that few have had the gumption to challenge West throughout his long-lasting career.
"Maybe it's my fault for idolizing niggas / Based off the words they be rappin'/ But come to find out, these niggas don't even write they shit," he said, adding fuel to the fire Kid Cudi started earlier this year when he called out top rappers not writing their own songs.
The reactions were mixed on Twitter, and fans shared their frustrations with Cole's song—particularly as West is currently hospitalized for his health and safety. As demonstrated in a few tweets, the situation is reminiscent of Drake's track this year that threw shade in the midst of Kid Cudi's recovery.
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But while the whole thing may seem like a diss at the surface, Cole ends the verse on a positive note, reminding us all that seeking help for mental health is nothing to be ashamed of: "Well, fuck it, what's more important is he's cryin' out for help / While the world's eggin' him on, I'm beggin' him to stop..."
If you want to talk to someone or are experiencing suicidal thoughts, text the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. For international resources, this list is a good place to start.
