In the latest chapter of one of hip hop’s most talked‑about rivalries, J. Cole has publicly revisited a moment that stirred intense discussion in the music world. The North Carolina rapper used his surprise freestyle package Birthday Blizzard ’26 to reflect on a controversial apology he once made to Kendrick Lamar. The apology stemmed from his response to Lamar’s verse on Like That, in which Kendrick dismissed the idea of being grouped with Cole and Drake as the “big three” of modern hip hop. Cole replied with a diss track titled “7 Minute Drill,” but within days he stepped back from it.
During a performance at his Dreamville Festival, Cole paused to express regret over the diss, calling it the “lamest, goofiest thing” he had done and saying it conflicted with his personal values and peace of mind. He openly praised Kendrick’s talent and suggested he might remove the contentious track from streaming platforms, acknowledging that the move shifted perceptions of his standing in the rap hierarchy.
The Birthday Blizzard ’26 freestyles give listeners a candid look at how Cole now views that apology years later. He acknowledges the criticism he faced and how the decision impacted his reputation among fans and peers, even as he emphasizes his commitment to authenticity. The move highlights a rare moment in hip hop culture where an artist publicly walked back a diss in favor of artistic integrity and mutual respect.