this isn’t beef, this is two educated people having a debate about relevant topics over song. Cole actually tweeted this song the moment it dropped, and I’m sure there are have been some behind the scenes convos involving the two, as they have innumerable common connections. I think/hope that this will result in a public conversation similar to Pump x Cole’s interview.
While Cole was justified in responding to Noname’s tweet, his timing was bad, as there were plenty of more pertinent things he could have written a song about. I was initially super excited because one of my fav rappers had dropped a new song, but once I calmed down from that, I realized that he had misstepped, especially by talking about her tone. in a time where black women were suffering, he didn’t talk at all about the white people attacking his people but only talked about a black woman that he assumed was calling him out. Cole has made this type of response song before (“1985” & “everybody dies”), but with the current climate of America, a lot of people digested it the wrong way.
Noname had every right to respond, and she did it in such a straight to the point way that it was amazing. the difference between her song and Cole’s is that she criticized him while directly speaking on the larger issues, shifting the conversation back to what is important. whether or not her initial tweet was necessary is up for debate, but I don’t think it warranted an entire song from Cole.
I love both songs, and I’m excited to see where their relationship goes.
again, THIS IS NOT BEEF.
also, COLE IS NOT A MISOGYNIST.