While J. Cole’s KOD has remained a strong talking point for weeks after its debut, the project’s final track “1985” is what’s further added on to that relatively new but worn out debate on the difference between the newest class of rappers and his own contemporaries.
While most have praised Cole’s eloquent way of putting things, the track didn’t go over too well with some of the rappers that may have been on the receiving end of things, prompting “Fuck J. Cole” chants at concerts and the like.
In his recent interview with Angie Martinez, that topic of conversation spilled over and in a brief snippet, Cole made a further development on his sentiments with the younger generation of rappers, alluding to Tekashi 6ix9ine to deliver on, perhaps, a blanket statement about new emcees’ will to win regardless of how different things are.
“This 6ix9ine kid. He’s willing to do whatever, say whatever because he wants it that bad, and in a way I kind of respect it because he knows what he’s doing. [I’m] fascinated; can’t look away.”
He goes on to restate a central theme found throughout his KOD album, concluding that actions and personalities as brash as Tekashi’s are possibly the result of a void needing to be filled.
“The amount of pain and trauma has to be so intense for you to take it to those levels to attain that—whether it’s money, fame something. I got to have it. If I don’t plug my hole with that—it’s not even an option—I’ma do whatever to fill this shit. I can’t feel like no fucking lame no more.”
Naturally, Tekashi couldn’t pass up the opportunity to troll in the comment sections of the clip posted to DJ Akademiks Instagram page writing, “I hated Kendrick at first but after watching this he’s actually cool.”
Sound off with your thoughts on Cole’s words down below.