TDE President Punch Henderson Calls J. Cole’s Apology To Kendrick Lamar “Genuine”
J. Cole’s apology to Kendrick Lamar for his “7 Minute Drill” diss has become a divisive topic within the Hip-Hop community, but Top Dawg Entertainment President Terrence “Punch” Henderson feels that the move was a respectable one.
Henderson, a longtime friend, collaborator, and executive to Kendrick during the former TDE artist’s tenure with the label, took to X to weigh in on the discussion regarding Cole’s decision to attempt to make amends with Lamar.
According to Punch, who has known Cole for over a decade, “7 Minute Drill” wasn’t reflective of who he knows Cole to be personally throughout their dealings over the years. However, Henderson commended the rapper for his humility and willingness to right what he may have felt was a misstep.
“Cole is a very genuine guy. I respect it,” he wrote. “We often give in to external pressures and outside influences and act out of out own character. It’s rare to have enough heart to make the correction. It didn’t align with HIM so he fixed it in the same manner he engaged. Salute.”
The West Coaster added a bit of levity to his take by addressing Cole’s claim that Kendrick’s To Pimp A Butterfly was an overrated album in a subsequent post, adding, “I knew Pimp a Butterfly was a good album!”
J. Cole shocked Hip-Hop fans this past weekend by issuing a public apology to Kendrick Lamar for taking shots at him on the song “7 Minute Drill” from his new Might Delete Later album. On Sunday (April 7), Cole revealed he had mixed feeling regarding the creation and release of the record, but succumbed to the pressure of public opinion.
“I was conflicted because, I know my heart and I know how I feel about my peers, these two n**gas that I’m blessed to even stand beside in this game and let alone chase their greatness,” the 39-year-old said during his headlining set at his annual Dreamville Fest in North Carolina. “I felt conflicted because I know I don’t really feel no way. But the world want to see blood… I moved in a way that, spiritually, I feel bad.
“That was the lamest, goofiest sh*t… I pray that God aligns me back on my purpose and on my path,” he continued. “I pray that my ni**a didn’t really feel no way. And if he did, my ni**a I got my chin out. Take your best shot, I’ma take that sh*t on the chin. Boy, do what you do. All good.”
Kendrick Lamar has yet to publicly respond or react to “7 Minute Drill” or J. Cole’s apology.
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