Reactions from hip-hop world to J. Cole’s apology for diss track aimed at Kendrick Lamar

Cole’s surprise-released project, “Might Delete Later,” has sent shockwaves through the hip-hop community. The Dreamville co-founder’s latest work features a track that appears to be a direct response to Kendrick Lamar’s “Like That” diss. Kendrick Lamar didn’t mince words when he rejected any “Big 3” talk that would place him alongside J. Cole and Drake. In Metro Boomin and Future’s track “We Don’t Trust You,” Kendrick made it clear that he stands alone. But J. Cole wasn’t about to let that slide. The closing track of “Might Delete Later,” titled “7 Minute Drill,” is where J. Cole unloads. While he doesn’t explicitly name Kendrick, the target is unmistakable. J. Cole is address Kendrick Lamar, suggesting that Kendrick’s recent work hasn’t matched his earlier success. Cole asserts his own rise to prominence and warns Kendrick not to provoke him further, highlighting his willingness to engage in conflict if necessary. He expresses mixed feelings about rap feuds but indicates he’s prepared to defend his position in the industry with force if needed. “I came up in the ‘Ville, so I’m good when it’s tensionHe still doin’ shows, but fell off like the SimpsonsYour first sh*t was classic, your last shit was tragicYour...