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The J. Cole vs. Kendrick Lamar topic has continued to trend since Cole offered an apology on Sunday (April 7). Now, the president of Kendrick Lamar’s former label, TDE, is joining the viral talks.
Here’s What Kendrick Lamar’s Former Label Said
Terrence “Punch” Henderson Jr., who runs Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), gave his take on Monday (April 8). He hopped on X (formerly Twitter) and seemingly supported Cole’s choice to backtrack his clapback record ‘7 Minute Drill.’
“Cole is a very genuine guy. I respect it. We often give in to external pressures and outside influences and act out of our own character. It’s rare to have enough heart to make the correction. It didn’t align with HIM so he fixed it in the same manner he engaged. Salute,” Punch wrote.
As previously explained, Cole released the song ‘7 Minute Drill,’ seemingly responding to Kendrick’s shots at him and Drake on ‘Like That.’ The alleged diss record simultaneously praised and slammed Kendrick’s music.
Two days after its release, Cole took the stage at his Dreamville Fest and apologized to K. Dot. He revealed that releasing ‘7 Minute Drill’ didn’t settle right in his spirit.
RELATED: J. Cole Clears Up Alleged Beef With Kendrick Lamar (Video)
For context, K. Dot is no longer signed to TDE. After signing with the independent record label in 2004, Kendrick transitioned out in 2022 following the release of his fifth studio album ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.’
According to Punch’s sitdown with Complex that year, Kendrick’s departure was “not a negative at all.” He called the situation a “positive,” adding that Kendrick was “leveling up” by launching his own service company, pgLang.
“So the only emotion really is happiness and joy. We did it. We reached a certain level that nobody reached. He got a Pulitzer for his album. That was the first of contemporary music. We did all the awards, we touched all the people, we did all the community stuff. We had the hit records. We had the underground classics. That’s it, job well done,” Punch told Complex.
Lamar transitioned his musical representation to pgLang in 2022. The company led the release of ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers,’ per Punch.
Social Media Continues To React To J. Cole’s Apology
But everyone hasn’t been as understanding of Cole’s apology as Kendrick Lamar’s former label head. In fact, the apology has sparked plenty of debates about “real rap,” the state of hip hop, and Cole’s reign as a top rapper.
The whole reason we liked the Kendrick and j Cole beef was because we knew it was friendly competition. Nobody saw it as bad energy or negative so foh wit that narrative
— lil duval (@lilduval) April 8, 2024
J Cole fans after witnessing their goat apologize to Kendrick Lamar for dissing him during a rap beef pic.twitter.com/f5JUarhKlK
— Steez⁴⁷ (@Steez_HH) April 8, 2024
Kendrick almost done writing his response to Cole and hearing him apologize 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/JlXJPXN9et
— Ye Streams (@kanyestreams1) April 8, 2024
Megan didn't respond to Nicki
J Cole apologizing to Kendrick
real rap, hip hop is done i fear 😭 pic.twitter.com/oVr2yxIK2N
— spicebae (@spicebae_) April 8, 2024
The Big 3 from now on is Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Future. J Cole eliminated from all hip hop conversations.. apologizing for dissing a nigga who violated u… is not hip hop.
— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) April 8, 2024
Mick Jenkins reacts to J. Cole falling back on his Kendrick Lamar diss. pic.twitter.com/aUsbvscKZs
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) April 8, 2024
Charlamagne speaks on J. Cole apologizing to Kendrick Lamar publicly last night-
“the rap fan in me understands the disappointment many of you feeling, but the man in me who understands the spiritual being living a human existence has nothing but respect for j. cole” pic.twitter.com/7APCvxISd5
— Cole World (@JColeVillle) April 8, 2024
Drake waking up this morning realizing that J.Cole waved the white flag and now he has to face Kendrick all by himself: pic.twitter.com/ydgZTAmGzV
— Cawb (@CAWBBBB) April 8, 2024
As of Tuesday morning, Drake has not publicly reacted to Cole’s apology. He also hasn’t hinted whether he will respond to Kendrick, Future, or Metro Boomin’ from the studio! Last month, he seemingly addressed Lamar during one of his tour stops.
But Cole, Kendrick, and Drake aren’t the only ones caught in a public feud. On Monday (April 8), Meek Mill also caused some conversation after he blasted Wale for taking a photo with his “opp.”
City Girls JT and Yung Miami also rocked the innanet on Monday when they exchanged heated words on social media. Hours later, the women showed each other public love following a private conversation.
