J. Cole recently revealed his friendship with Kendrick Lamar in the early 2010s, giving the world a glimpse into what kept two of hip-hop’s most celebrated artists together. Their relationship was forged on mutual respect, an affinity for music, and creative synergy that reverberated throughout their careers.
Everything started in 2010 with J. Cole and Kendrick first met when the roster of young stars showed up to grace the cover of XXL Magazine. He remembered this because the moment the two made contact, they sorta clicked-but not entirely the party afterward when U-N-I headlined that it really reached a different level, each of them in hip hop.
“For the first time, I had found someone that loved this sh*t as much as I loved it,”
recalled Cole, reflecting on their early bond.
All of that mutual admiration soon led to collaboration. J. Cole sent Kendrick a batch of beats, including the instrumental “Blow Up.” The excitement was palpable in King Kenny himself:
“N***a, I need one of those!”
That was the start of a creative partnership that would help define their respective sounds. During one studio session, J. Cole played several unreleased songs for Kendrick, including “HiiiPoWeR.” He even offered Kendrick Lamar a few tracks- a surprise to him, given his generosity.
In turn, Kendrick told Cole to stop selling himself short:
“Bro, you sleeping on yourself.”
Moments like those spoke to real respect and trust between them. As their friendship deepened, their careers really began to take shape. Kendrick’s “HiiiPoWeR” stood out on his Section 80 project, while J. Cole introduced himself to a wider audience via his first album, Cole World: The Sideline Story.
At this point, creative exchanges between the two affected their growth. Both were starving to prove themselves, and their shared drive led them to elevate their aspirations high enough to where they would become set in place within the annals of hip-hop history. There were also moments of professional tension that added an interesting layer to their relationship.
In 2013, Kendrick dropped his now-famous verse on Big Sean’s “Control,” calling out a number of rappers by name, including J. Cole. Fans speculated about a brewing rivalry, but Cole saw it differently. To him, Kendrick’s boldness was a sign of respect that was less about tearing others down and more about setting the bar higher, a challenge Cole appreciated and embraced. The chemistry they developed didn’t stop inside the studio.
In 2014, they hit the road for the “Dollar & A Dream Tour,” where the fans witnessed it firsthand. Then, in 2016, they surprised their audience with an astonishing collaboration, “Black Friday.” On the track, each emcee rhymed on the other’s beat, smoothly intertwining their styles. This was a strong reminder of their artistic compatibility and trust in one another’s work.
Reflecting on those years, J. Cole’s words capture the essence of their bond:
“For us, it was never just about the music—it was about the love of the craft.”
Their journey from underground dreamers to global icons is one of mutual inspiration, creative competition, and enduring friendship.
