J. Cole Clarifies Drake’s Original Vision for “First Person Shooter” Collaboration

During a recent appearance on Carmelo Anthony’s 7PM In Brooklyn podcast, J. Cole dispelled rumors surrounding the creation of the hit track “First Person Shooter.” Contrary to speculation, Cole revealed that Drake initially intended the song to feature only himself and Kendrick Lamar, not all three artists.

How the Collaboration Shifted

J. Cole explained that before the beat reached him, Drake’s plan was for the track to be a duo effort with Kendrick Lamar. However, when that partnership didn’t materialize as expected, Drake’s team, including producer Boi-1da, encouraged him to bring Cole on board instead.

“I never thought it was going to be all of us,” Cole said. “I believed it was just going to be me and Drake. When I got the beat, it was completely bare, and I felt a lot of pressure to deliver. I rewrote my verse multiple times to make sure it was right.”

Dreamville Festival Plans and the Impact of the Drake-Kendrick Feud

J. Cole also opened up about his intentions to feature both Kendrick Lamar and Drake at the 2024 Dreamville Festival. Unfortunately, ongoing tensions between the two artists prevented this from happening.

“Drake was supposed to perform at Dreamville Fest. That was the plan,” Cole shared. “But he didn’t show up. Honestly, I’m glad he didn’t because it would have added extra pressure on me, especially with the energy around my Kendrick diss track ‘7 Minute Drill,’ which I later apologized for at the festival.”

He added that he had hoped to get Kendrick to join as well but never had the chance to ask him directly. “I told Drake about my idea of having both of them come out during the festival. Looking back, it seems unrealistic now because there were other things going on behind the scenes.”

Why Drake Opted Out

Addressing rumors that Drake’s absence was due to a fallout with Cole, the North Carolina rapper clarified that Drake chose not to attend to avoid putting Cole in an uncomfortable position on stage.

“When we spoke, Drake sensed that my mindset wasn’t aligned with his,” Cole recalled. “He didn’t want to come and force me into a situation where I’d have to say something I wasn’t ready to stand behind. I appreciated that because it allowed me to handle things on my own terms.”

J. Cole’s Role in the Drake-Kendrick Rivalry

Throughout his recent media appearances, J. Cole has been candid about his involvement in the highly publicized feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. In an interview with Cam’ron, Cole admitted that his release of “7 Minute Drill” was driven more by external pressure than personal animosity.

“There was no disrespect in Kendrick’s verse,” Cole emphasized. “But I felt the need to respond because I knew that the album I’ve been crafting for over eight years, along with my mixtape Might Delete Later, wouldn’t be released without addressing this.”

He further explained, “I wasn’t trying to deliver a knockout blow. I just wanted to say enough to show I had something to say. Both Kendrick and I understand that none of this is fatal – it’s all part of the game.”

Looking Ahead

As J. Cole continues to promote The Fall-Off, his transparency about these behind-the-scenes dynamics offers fans a deeper understanding of the complexities within hip-hop collaborations and rivalries. With streaming numbers for “First Person Shooter” surpassing 100 million plays globally, the track remains a significant cultural moment, underscoring the impact of these artists’ intertwined careers.