Did J. Cole Re-Record 'The Fall Off' Because of Drake and Kendrick Lamar?
According to Mal, the two rap superstars had allegedly recorded verses for J. Cole’s highly-anticipated album.
J. Cole performs onstage during the 2025 Dreamville Music Festival at Dorothea Dix Park on April 6, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Prince Williams
Did J. Cole’s The Fall Off have to be re-recorded because of Kendrick Lamar and Drake? On a recent episode of The New Rory & Mal Podcast, Mal said that both Kendrick and Drake were on The Fall Off, and re-recording those songs is why the album has been further delayed.
“Kendrick was on the album. And Drake is on the album – well, was,” Mal shared. “Which is why we didn’t get the album, ‘cuz now he’s gotta do his whole album over.”
But Rory pushed back on the idea that The Fall Off is delayed solely because of a Drake verse.
“I’m not allowing that: Cole didn’t redo his whole album because a Drake verse got taken off,” Rory interjected. “He probably just redid his album because–”
After co-host Maris also interjected, Mal clarified that both rappers were contributing to more than one track each.
“If he had two songs with Drake and two songs with Kendrick…” Mal began, before explaining to Maris. “I know he had two songs with both of them.”
“I’m not going to lie, I hate this f**king beef,” Maris snapped. “It’s the worst thing that ever happened to me. I swear to God.”
“So now those are four songs you have to take off your album,” Mal explained, and then Rory asked if Cole would have to remove the Kendrick verse.
“Absolutely!” Mal stated. “Kendrick not clearing no verse for J. Cole! He’s not! He don’t f**k with Cole like that. Which is why what Cole did was crazy.”
