jcole

 

In verse 3 of Drake’s “Jodeci Freestyle”, J. Cole said…

 

‘Bout to burn down the house, they tryna put me in the rain, no

Fuck your list you lame niggas and doubters

I’m undoubtedly the hottest and that’s just me bein’ modest

Go check the numbers dummy, that’s just me gettin’ started

I’m artistic, you niggas is autistic, retarded

Started, hold your applause

Who gives a poker face when you jokers showed me your cards?

 

The negative reference to autism sparked some backlash from fans and family who has to deal with the disease.  Well after some thought, J. Cole too believed he had made a mistake when he wrote those lyrics. Although he is firm believer in artistic expression, he’s since issued an apology to those this may have offended.

 

“To the parents who are fighting through the frustrations that must come with raising a child with severe autism, finding strength and patience that they never knew they had; to the college student with Asperger’s syndrome; to all those overcoming autism,” Cole wrote. “You deserve medals, not disrespect. I hope you accept my sincere apology.”

 

“I was instantly embarrassed that I would be ignorant enough say something so hurtful,” Cole wrote. “What makes the crime worse is that I should have known better.”

 

“I have now read stories online from parents about their struggles and triumphs with raising an autistic child and I admire how incredibly strong you have to be to do so,” he wrote. “It’s touching. It also makes what I said even more embarrassing for me. I feel real shame.”

 

I’m sure this was a lesson learned by J. Cole.  Luckily, he didn’t have to deal with losing any endorsements because of the offensive lyric (i.e. Lil Wayne & PepsiCo, Rick Ross & Reebok).

 

J. Cole’s new album Born Sinner is in stores now.