J. Cole Revisits Kendrick Feud and Rules Out Retirement

WHO:

XXL Mag - J. Cole discussed his decision to back out of a battle with Kendrick Lamar.

Billboard - J. Cole discussed his feud with Kendrick Lamar and said he was not retiring.

AllHipHop - J. Cole rejected the retirement label in a GQ interview.

Billboard - Cole had previously said *The Fall-Off* would be his final album.

WHAT:

XXL Mag - The article concerns Cole reflecting on backing out of a Kendrick Lamar battle.

Billboard - Cole said, “I’m Not Using That Word at All,” referring to retirement.

AllHipHop - Cole said finishing *The Fall-Off* changed his plans.

WHY:

AllHipHop - Cole’s plans changed after he finished *The Fall-Off*.

HOW:

Billboard - Cole discussed his position on retirement in an interview with GQ.

AllHipHop - Cole explained his changed plans in a new GQ interview.

(UPDATED October 29, 2026 23:08 UTC)

J. Cole says he is not retiring, despite previously describing *The Fall-Off* as his final album. In a GQ interview, he said finishing the project changed his plans and that he isn’t using the word “retirement.” Cole also reflected on backing out of a battle with Kendrick Lamar.