It was the diss heard 'round the rap community last week when J. Cole's "Fire Squad" leaked to the public. The new cut calls out Justin Timberlake, Iggy Azalea, Eminem and Macklemore for making careers in primarily black genres.
"History repeats itself and that's just how it goes," Cole raps. "Same way that these rappers always bite each other's flows / Same thing that my n---a Elvis did with rock 'n' roll / Justin Timberlake, Eminem and then Macklemore."
Later in the song, he gets after Iggy.
"While silly n---as argue over who gon' snatch the crown / Look around my ni--a, white people have snatched the sound / This year I'll probably go to the awards dappered down / Watch Iggy win a Grammy as I try to crack a smile."
J then tried to diffuse the fire for a split second, before deciding to roll with the initial vibe: "I'm just playin', but all good jokes contain true s--- / Same rope you climb up on, they'll hang you with."
While none of the dissed parties have officially responded, Em protégé Trick Trick has been alerted to the madness.
From HipHopDX: On Instagram, Marv O'Neal posted a picture of a recent Facebook status he made about the situation, questioning J. Cole's motives. Trick commented on it saying "He ain't poppin "S--- S---" is he????? I will lock the gate on that n---a!" He also said Cole was building "himself an ass Whippin."
This could get real, but the only likely candidate to actually address the verse is Eminem, who continues to be politically incorrect without any remorse.
Timberlake wouldn't stand to gain from acknowledging the line, Azalea is not one to reply to race-centric bids, and Macklemore already thoroughly spoke on the topic in the independent song "White Privelege," which goes hand in hand with Cole's message.
Check out "Fire Squad" below:
