How J. Cole disappointed the culture, explained

Michael Harriot April 11, 2024 at 11:04 AM OPINION: J. Cole has the right to retract a diss record. Hip-hop fans also have the right to feel slighted. Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the author’s own. Read more opinions on theGrio. On Sunday, Fayetteville, N.C., rapper Jermaine Cole took to the stage at his Dreamville Festival to express regret for disparaging K-Dot’s catalog in “7 Minute Drill,” where Cole raps: Your first shit was classic, your last shit was tragicYour second shit put n*ggas to sleep, but they gassed itYour third shit was massive and that was your primeI was trailin’ right behind and I just now hit mine J. Cole “7 Minute Drill” “It’s one part of that shit that makes me feel like, man that’s the lamest shit I did in my fuckin’ life,” Cole told the audience. “So I felt conflicted ’cause I’m like, bruh I don’t even feel no way. And I know this is not what a lot of people want to hear.” Cole’s heartfelt public apology sent Black Twitter into a frenzy with memes, jokes and even a discourse about mental health and self-care. While a...