related: Did Drake & Pusha T End Their Beef?
While we’re waiting for both sides to reveal the true origins of their initial industry static, one of the longest behind-the-scenes feuds has been Kanye West and J. Cole. From the public’s point of view, this all started five years ago, when Jermaine released his False Prophets song, calling out Yeezy before the entire world.
Surprisingly, J. Cole is the only person Kanye has not gone out of his way to disrespect in the media. However, during the 2018 rollout for Pusha T’s DAYTONA album, a lost verse from Kanye emerged on social media dissing Cole on What Would Meek Do?.
At the beginning of 2019, J. Cole fired back with his Middle Child song, which Pusha T jumped on social media the same day to issue a message. King Push went to say, “You tried, you failed…I’m hearing you wanna try again, this time I’m not gonna play with you, any of you.” This was followed up with Pusha T’s Tell the Vision verse on Pop Smoke’s posthumous album, featuring Kanye.
However, everything came to a head last month, when Benny the Butcher released his Johnny’s P Caddy song. There, we saw J. Cole rap the lyrics, “Of course I’m trying’ to revive a sport that’s dying’. But the guns and the drug bars that y’all relyin’ Got these nerds thinkin’ that you niggas hard as I am But that just mean I ain’t as comfortable as y’all with lyin’.”
In a recent interview, Benny broke down J. Cole’s verse, which was cleverly delivered on a guest feature with one of the only rappers to have a real history of hustling in the streets. Take a look at the media below.
You tried, you failed…I’m hearing you wanna try again, this time I’m not gonna play with you, any of you.
— King Push (@PUSHA_T) January 23, 2019
Kanye West responds to J. Cole's disses on False Prophets & No Role Models on an old draft version of Pusha T's What Would Meek Do. Which later debuted on his album Daytona.
"You heard Cole on that song he was tryna hate." pic.twitter.com/0UOz8HCE7F
— #HardestPill2Swallow💊 (@malcolmflexed) May 30, 2019
how can j cole diss pusha t saying that pusha dissed drake for clout when he’s doing the same exact thing when he’s dissing pusha and ye lmao
— meshi (@youretrashkid) January 24, 2019
J. Cole took aim @ Kanye West & Pusha T: "I never beef with a nigga for nothin'. If I smoke a rapper, it's gon' be legit. It won't be for clout, it won't be for fame, it won't be 'cause my shit ain't sellin' the same. It won't be to sell you my latest lil' sneakers." #MiddleChild
— Hussain Sheikh (@HShakeee) January 24, 2019
y’all think Pusha T talking bout J Cole or Drake? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/nqCcCKjQFP
— mariano 🦦 (@oscos) July 16, 2021