J. Cole addresses stepping away from Drake and Kendrick Lamar feud in new track

J. Cole surprised fans with his latest single, “Port Antonio,” in which he addresses his decision to step back from the ongoing feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. In the track, Cole offers insight into his rationale, explaining that he saw where the situation was headed and chose to remove himself. “I pulled the plug because I seen where that was about to go, they wanted blood, they wanted clicks to make they pockets grow,” he raps, implying that the conflict was being fueled by external forces for profit and attention.

Cole emphasizes that his decision was about preserving relationships rather than engaging in a public battle. He continues, “I wouldn’t have lost the battle, dog, I would’ve lost a bro, I would’ve gained a foe,” highlighting the personal cost that the feud could have brought. The rapper also criticizes the manipulative tactics of using social media algorithms and bots to sway public opinion, stating, “competing for ya favorable memes.”

In the same verse, Cole addresses Drake directly, reaffirming their friendship despite the tensions: “Hey Drake, you’ll always be my n***a/ I ain’t ashamed to say you did a lot for me.” The verse reflects Cole’s reluctance to let industry pressure damage his relationship with either artist, choosing instead to maintain respect.

This new single sheds light on J. Cole's stance and his refusal to be drawn into the feud, prioritizing personal integrity over public spectacle​