J. Cole Reflects on Kanye West’s Influence Amidst Tensions on New Podcast

J. Cole, the founder of Dreamville and one of the most influential figures in modern rap, is taking stock of his career and his place in the rap game. As anticipation builds for his final album The Fall Off, Cole launched a new podcast titled Inevitable. The podcast provides him with the opportunity to reflect on the creation of his most iconic songs, delve into the intricacies of his musical journey, and discuss his legacy in the hip-hop world.

In the debut episode of Inevitable, Cole revisited his debut mixtape The Warm Up, Vol. 1, a pivotal moment in his career that helped him establish his unique voice in the rap industry. As he discussed this foundational project, Cole took a moment to wax poetic about the artist who had the most significant influence on his musical evolution—Kanye West. This comes at a particularly interesting time, as West has made headlines for mocking Cole in recent months.

Kanye’s influence on J. Cole is no secret. In fact, Cole rapped over three of West’s beats on The Warm Up, Vol. 1, and also drew inspiration from West’s iconic “Last Call” for both his 2009 mixtape and his 2014 album 2014 Forest Hills Drive. In the Inevitable podcast, Cole described West as the artist who “cracked my mind open,” acknowledging the profound impact West had on his artistic perspective. “He became my favorite artist,” Cole reflected. “Kanye was the first time I saw myself in somebody.” This powerful sentiment highlights the deep admiration Cole has for West, who expanded the boundaries of what hip-hop could be and opened doors for more personal, introspective storytelling.

“He just made it possible to talk about your life or regular perspectives in a way that’s appealing,” Cole continued. “I didn’t know how to talk about my life. And then, f**king Kanye West happened.” This moment of vulnerability from Cole is a reminder of how Kanye’s work has resonated with countless artists and fans alike, particularly for those in the hip-hop community who sought to bring more depth and authenticity into their music.

Despite this deep admiration, Cole’s comments come at a time when Kanye West has been critical of him publicly. Earlier this year, West insulted Cole on the “Like That” remix, saying, “Play J. Cole, get the psy dry.” He also took aim at Cole during an appearance on The Download podcast, questioning his authenticity and calling him a “psy” for apologizing to Kendrick Lamar during the Big Three beef.

These recent remarks from West stand in stark contrast to the reverence Cole expressed for him in the podcast. In fact, the first episode of Inevitable marks the first time Cole has publicly addressed West’s insults. While some might expect a response filled with bitterness or retaliation, Cole took the high road, focusing instead on the broader scope of his career and the legacy he is working to leave behind. This maturity and introspection are reflective of the rapper’s growth, both as an artist and as a person.

J. Cole’s decision to remain composed and reflect on Kanye West’s influence, rather than engage in a public feud, speaks volumes about his mindset as he prepares to close one chapter and begin another with The Fall Off. As his final album nears, Cole is clearly more focused on cementing his place in rap history than on responding to insults, leaving his legacy as the true testament to his impact on the genre.