J. Cole’s frequent use of the n-word in his lyrics has led Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the actor best known for his role in ‘The Cosby Show,’ to distance himself from the North Carolina rapper.
Despite his admiration for J. Cole’s lyrical talent, the 53-year-old actor recently revealed on his new podcast ‘Not All Hood’ that he can no longer listen to the rapper’s music. Warner expressed his disapproval of the gratuitous use of the n-word and other derogatory terms in hip-hop today.
Warner stated, ‘I think why I’m more against it now is because it’s used so gratuitously. It’s used without regard. At this point, for me, in hip-hop, I think there should be a moratorium on ‘n-gga’ and ‘bitch.’ It’s low hanging fruit. It’s so easy. Everybody fucking does it to the point that it’s corny.’
He was particularly critical of J. Cole, saying, ‘There are MCs who I love, who I cannot listen to anymore. I love J. Cole but I had to stop listening to J. Cole because I got tired of hearing ‘n-gga’ and ‘bitch’ every two sentences. Because he’s proven himself to be such an incredible lyricist, [so I hate] the regularity that he does [use those words].’
While Warner has voiced his disappointment, J. Cole has received praise from other notable figures in the music industry. T.I. recently commended Cole for his maturity in apologizing to Kendrick Lamar after a contentious moment in their careers. On Big Boy’s Neighborhood, the Atlanta rapper described Cole’s actions as choosing ‘peace and tranquility’ and called it ‘quite mature of him.’
Black Thought of The Roots also lauded J. Cole’s apology during an appearance on the ‘This Week in White Supremacy’ podcast. He highlighted the rarity of such humility and nobility in the industry, pointing out that it often escalates into physical altercations. He praised Cole’s approach as one of self-revelation and personal growth.
J. Cole’s actions, both criticized and praised, continue to ripple through the hip-hop community, illustrating the complex dynamics between artistry, personal expression, and social responsibility.
While Malcolm-Jamal Warner may have distanced himself from J. Cole over his use of offensive language, other artists in the industry have recognized and applauded Cole’s ability to navigate conflicts with maturity and humility.
