(Photo Credit: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
J. Cole thinks cancel culture is getting a bit out of hand.
The rapper sat down with XXL for a rare interview where he discussed the current culture of “cancelling” those who may not align exactly with our views.
“I understand outrage,” he said. “So I don’t know. If anything, it kind of makes me want to be even more empathetic to people that the world considers to be undesirable. Because we live in a world where everybody wants to be so quick to cancel somebody. But at the same time, people condemn the criminal justice system, which is entirely the cancellation system. To me, both of those ideas are f***ed up, like, ‘We’re throwing you away.’ […] You’re looking to punish me—and don’t get it twisted, what I did was a punishable offense—but where are you talking about healing me? Where are you going to show me some compassion and some f***ing love?”
He also addressed outrage at supporting an artist such as XXXTentacion who had alleged abused his girlfriend, and was in the middle of his case before his tragic murder.
“I’m down for accountability culture. I’m cool with that. Even for myself,” he said. “Everyone needs to be accountable. I don’t mind if someone got something to say about me or what I said or did. That’s all good. But cancel culture? I don’t cancel nobody.”
Cole also addressed the tweet where he offered a helping hand to anyone who has been going through some issues.
This is a message for anybody in this game that’s going through something. If you don’t feel right, if you feel you have a substance problem, if you need a ear to vent to. If you uncomfortable talking to people around you. Please reach out to me.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) September 7, 2018
“[The tweet] was just me realizing that and letting it be known, I’m deadass serious, hit my phone. I’ve done that with people where they just spill they f***ing hearts out. I’ll listen and ask the right questions and give any guidance where I can. It’s just understanding, bro. People in the game, people in general, we don’t do that for each other.”
According to XXL, there are also rumors that J. Cole will be executive producing Young Thug’s next album.
RUMOR MILL: J.Cole to executive produce Young Thug’s album pic.twitter.com/hnZ7LdTtoP
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) March 28, 2019
As for making beats, he did reveal that he’s stopping that for the time being.
“But, for at least the next month or two, I don’t even want to make no beats,” he said. “I just want to rap. For the first time, I’ve been able to focus on that for the most part.”
The conversation is in the latest issue of XXL.