The current state of hip hop is continually growing and changing. All that’s needed is one controversial line in a rap song to spark an emotional response from not just the world of rap but from everyone else. After J. Cole caused conversations and debates all over social media for his ‘Fire Squad’ line, he’s stood up and defended himself to explain that the people of the American hip hop culture are sell-outs. The verse that says “Same thing that my nigga Elvis did with Rock ‘n Roll. Justin Timberlake, Eminem and Macklemore. While silly niggas argue over who gon’ snatch the crown, look around, my nigga white people have snatched the sound. This year I’ll probably go the awards dappered down. Watch Iggy win a Grammy while I try to crack a smile” caused people to question exactly how J. Cole feels about the current state of the culture and whether he has respect for one of the greatest rappers alive: Eminem.
J. Cole says that it “has nothing to do with dissing Eminem or any of those people.” He says it was just an observation. “Me just making an observation of culture right now.” Many people feel that the strength and authenticity of the hip hop culture is being watered down due the now very strong presence of white rappers that are often seen as gimmicks or acts. Whether it really is or not is debatable but the fact that the culture is diversifying could be seen as a perk of this.