J. Cole has once again given fans a peek into his vault, sharing unreleased tracks featuring Kendrick Lamar on the latest episode of his Inevitable podcast.
In the episode, Cole, alongside his manager Ibrahim “Ib” Hamad, played two untitled tracks that showcased their chemistry in the studio, as well as the history behind their collaboration.
The pair recorded these songs during the 2012 Club Paradise Tour when Drake brought the tour to Fayetteville.
According to Cole, it was the first time he and Kendrick locked in and worked together directly, and the experience felt like a reunion with a close family member. “It was so fun, dawg… It felt like when your cousin would come over to your house,” Cole shared.
One of the unreleased tracks was produced by D.C.-based rapper and producer Oddisee, while the other sees Cole adopting a flow reminiscent of Project Pat’s style. These never-before-heard songs are a testament to the long-standing friendship and creative synergy between the two artists.
The podcast episode also touched on the impact of Kendrick’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City on Cole. Cole reflected on the first time Kendrick played him the album before its release, admitting that he felt both a sense of competition and motivation after hearing it.
“When Kendrick’s album dropped, the journey got harder, the mountain got steeper,” Cole admitted. He explained how Kendrick’s success, including his first-week album numbers, made Cole more determined to push himself further in his own career.
Previously, on episode four of his Inevitable podcast, J. Cole opened the vault and shared the tracks “Shock the World” and “Temptation,” both featuring Kendrick Lamar. Fans can expect more exclusive content from the duo as the podcast continues.
You can listen to the full episode of Inevitable for more insights into J. Cole’s music and collaborations.