J. Cole is back with a new single, “Port Antonio”, where he offers a rare and candid reflection on his decision to step away from the much-hyped Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar feud. The surprise track, available exclusively on YouTube, samples Cleo Sol’s soulful “Know That You Are Loved”, adding emotional depth as Cole opens up about the pressures of the hip-hop world.
In the second verse, Cole directly addresses the tensions between Drake and Kendrick, revealing why he chose to bow out. He raps, “I pulled the plug because I seen where that was about to go, they wanted blood, they wanted clicks to make they pockets grow.” Cole admits that while he wasn’t afraid of losing a rap battle, he was more concerned about losing a friend and gaining a new foe. For him, the cost of escalating the beef wasn’t worth the damage it could do to real relationships.
This reflection comes after J. Cole initially fueled the beef with his verse on “First Person Shooter,” a track from Drake’s For All The Dogs album. While Cole acknowledges his part in heightening the tension, he also makes it clear that he’s no longer interested in petty disputes for attention. He emphasizes that his focus is on creating meaningful art, not chasing accolades or approval from fans who might not understand his true aims.
Cole’s willingness to address the conflict marks a mature approach in a genre often driven by competition and bravado. As he raps, “I woulda gained a foe, and all for what? Just to attain some mo’ props from strangers that don’t got a clue what I been aimin’ for?” His lyrics reveal a deeper concern for preserving genuine relationships rather than indulging in beef for the sake of clicks and controversy.
The single wraps up with a shoutout to Drake and a reminder to other rappers that they were gifted the pen to express themselves, not to fuel unnecessary rivalries. For fans, “Port Antonio” offers a glimpse into J. Cole’s mindset, showing that he values peace and authenticity over industry drama.
As the hip-hop community continues to dissect the dynamics of the feud, “Port Antonio” stands as a powerful statement from J. Cole, reminding us all that sometimes the strongest move is stepping back.