The dynamic between Kanye West and J. Cole is one of the more intriguing relationships in modern hip-hop.

Spanning admiration, subtle jabs, and outright tension, their journey highlights both the complexities of idolization and the fragile nature of public relationships between artists.

This essay explores how Kanye went from being one of J. Cole’s idols to a figure of disillusionment, tracing their relationship from its earliest roots to their current state.

Early Admiration and Inspiration

J. Cole’s career has always been marked by his reverence for hip-hop legends. He has often cited artists like Tupac, Jay-Z, Nas, and Andre 3000 as key influences, but Kanye West’s impact is subtly woven throughout Cole’s early work.

While Cole never explicitly named Kanye as a primary inspiration, his music tells a different story.

On his debut mixtape, The Come Up (2007), Cole rapped over Kanye-produced beats, and he repeated this homage on his second mixtape, The Warm Up (2009).

Tracks like “Last Call” were direct interpolations of Kanye’s The College Dropout classic, demonstrating Cole’s respect for the artistry Kanye brought to the table.

In the early years of his career, Cole openly expressed admiration for Kanye. He acknowledged their shared path as producers-turned-rappers and even dreamed of collaborating with Kanye on a major scale.

“I’m such a Kanye West fan,” Cole once admitted, emphasizing his desire to create something extraordinary with Kanye.

This admiration culminated in his decision to compete head-to-head with Kanye when he moved the release date of his 2013 album Born Sinner to coincide with Kanye’s Yeezus.

Far from an act of rivalry, Cole called the move a tribute to Kanye’s influence, stating, “Kanye is one of the greatest artists of our generation.”

The Shift in Tone

However, the admiration was not to last. By 2016, J. Cole’s tone toward Kanye had shifted dramatically.

The first signs of tension surfaced with the release of Cole’s song “False Prophets,” in which he critiqued an unnamed artist many believed to be Kanye.

The song’s first verse depicted a fallen idol, someone who had once captured the hearts of fans but had since succumbed to ego and erratic behavior.

Cole rapped about the disappointment of realizing his hero’s flaws, highlighting themes of disillusionment and the dangers of unchecked celebrity worship.

Though J. Cole initially avoided confirming the song’s subject, he later admitted that the first verse was indeed about Kanye.

This marked a turning point in their relationship. At the time, Kanye was embroiled in a series of controversies, from public feuds with Nike and Taylor Swift to his controversial support for Donald Trump.

Cole’s lyrics seemed to reflect not just personal disillusionment but also a broader critique of Kanye’s shift away from the values that had once made him a hero in Cole’s eyes.

Kanye’s Response and Lingering Tension

Kanye, for his part, did not ignore the subtle critiques. In 2018, during a conversation with Charlamagne Tha God, Kanye admitted that he felt Cole was frequently dissing him.

Referencing “False Prophets” and other lyrics that seemed to allude to him, Kanye expressed a mix of humor and frustration.

This sense of being targeted lingered, as evidenced by a leaked version of Pusha T’s song “What Would Meek Do,” in which Kanye addressed the tension directly, rapping, “You heard Cole on that song, he was trying to hate.”

Despite these grievances, Kanye attempted to extend an olive branch in the form of a phone call to Cole.

However, when Kanye posted a screenshot of their conversation on Twitter, Cole felt the gesture was insincere.

In an interview with Angie Martinez, Cole revealed that he was uncomfortable with the public nature of Kanye’s actions, which felt more like a move to garner attention than a genuine attempt at reconciliation.

This incident further strained their relationship, leaving Cole skeptical of Kanye’s intentions.

Musical and Ideological Divergence

As their relationship soured, the two artists began to diverge not only in their personal interactions but also in their approaches to music and fame.

Cole’s 2019 song “Middle Child” included lines that fans interpreted as thinly veiled shots at Kanye.

In the track, Cole emphasized his disdain for clout-chasing and materialism, rapping, “It won’t be for clout, it won’t be for fame, it won’t be ’cause my stuff ain’t selling the same.”

These lyrics seemed to contrast with Kanye’s highly publicized collaborations with younger, controversial artists like Lil Pump and 6ix9ine, as well as his focus on promoting his Yeezy brand.

The ideological gap between the two widened further in 2020 when Kanye demanded public apologies from both J. Cole and Drake during one of his infamous Twitter rants. While Kanye’s reasoning was unclear, the demand underscored the lingering animosity between him and Cole.

However, by 2022, there were signs of reconciliation. Cole posted a tribute to Kanye’s Jeen-Yuhs documentary, calling it an inspiring watch, to which Kanye responded with gratitude. This brief exchange suggested that the two might finally be on better terms.

A Fragile Truce

The peace did not last. In 2024, a new wave of tension emerged, this time involving Kendrick Lamar.

Kendrick’s song “Like That” included lines that many interpreted as disses aimed at both Drake and J. Cole.

Kendrick seemed to criticize the concept of “The Big Three” (a term often used to describe Drake, J. Cole, and Kendrick as the top-tier rappers of their generation), asserting that he alone deserved the spotlight.

J. Cole responded with a diss track, “7-Minute Drill,” but the reception was lukewarm. Critics felt that Cole’s delivery lacked conviction, and even Cole himself admitted at a concert that he felt conflicted about participating in the feud.

His half-hearted response highlighted his reluctance to engage in public rivalries, a stark contrast to Kanye’s more confrontational approach to conflict.

The Broader Implications

The fallout between Kanye West and J. Cole reflects broader themes within the hip-hop industry.

At its core, their relationship highlights the dangers of idolizing public figures. Cole’s journey from admiration to disillusionment serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of hero worship in a world where celebrities are both elevated and scrutinized.

It also underscores the challenges artists face in maintaining authenticity and navigating relationships in an industry driven by competition and ego.

Moreover, their interactions reveal the shifting dynamics of hip-hop culture. Kanye’s penchant for grand gestures and public feuds contrasts sharply with Cole’s preference for introspection and subtlety.

This ideological divide has not only fueled their tension but also shaped their respective trajectories as artists.

While Kanye continues to push boundaries and court controversy, Cole has embraced a more grounded and reflective approach to his craft.

Conclusion

The relationship between Kanye West and J. Cole is a microcosm of the complexities that define modern hip-hop.

From early admiration to public critiques and uneasy reconciliations, their journey is emblematic of the fine line between respect and rivalry.

While their paths have diverged, their interactions have sparked important conversations about authenticity, ego, and the role of artists in shaping cultural narratives.

Whether their story ends in reconciliation or continued tension remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the impact of their relationship will continue to reverberate throughout the hip-hop community for years to come.