Podcast host Mal just dropped a bombshell about J. Cole’s long-delayed album The Fall Off—claiming both Drake and Kendrick Lamar recorded two features each for the project before their explosive 2024 beef forced a complete album overhaul. This revelation explains why fans have been waiting years for Cole’s highly anticipated release.
The Fall Off Feature Breakdown
| Artist | Number of Features | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Drake | 2 tracks | Removed after beef |
| Kendrick Lamar | 2 tracks | Removed after beef |
| Album Status | Announced since 2018 | Being re-recorded |
| Expected Releases First | A$AP Rocky, Drake’s ICEMAN | January 2025+ |
Why The Fall Off Never Dropped
During the December 29 episode of the New Rory & MAL Podcast, Mal revealed the reason behind The Fall Off‘s delay. He stated that both Drake and Kendrick Lamar had recorded two songs each for Cole’s project, but the 2024 rap beef made keeping those collaborations impossible.
“Yes, Kendrick was on the album, and Drake was on the album. Well, was, which is why we didn’t get the album, cause now he gotta do his whole album over,” Mal explained. His co-host Rory questioned whether Cole truly scrapped the entire album, but Mal insisted all four tracks featuring the rival rappers had to be removed. Having both artists on the same project became untenable after their relationship collapsed following the “Like That” diss and subsequent back-and-forth. For more hip-hop news, check out TechnoSports.
How the Beef Started
The tension originated from Drake’s 2023 track “First Person Shooter” featuring J. Cole, where Cole rapped about the “big three”—himself, Drake, and Kendrick. Kendrick took offense, responding on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That” in March 2024, dismissing the “big three” concept entirely.
Cole briefly entered the beef with “7 Minute Drill” on his Might Delete Later mixtape in April 2024, targeting Kendrick’s catalog and release frequency. However, he quickly deleted the track and publicly apologized at Dreamville Festival, calling it out of character. This apology marked Cole’s exit from the conflict, but Drake and Kendrick continued their feud throughout 2024 with tracks like “Not Like Us,” which became a cultural phenomenon. Discover more celebrity feuds at TechnoSports.
What’s Next for The Fall Off?
J. Cole has remained largely silent on social media, with no confirmed release date for The Fall Off. According to Complex, Cole appears to be waiting for the landscape to clear—A$AP Rocky’s Don’t Be Dumb drops January 16, followed by Drake’s ICEMAN shortly after.
Cole has teased The Fall Off since 2018, positioning it as a potential final chapter in his album career. His October 2024 track “Port Antonio” seemingly referenced the beef with lines about not wanting to lose a friend and gain an enemy. If Mal’s claims prove accurate, the album’s delay represents one of hip-hop’s most significant creative casualties from the Drake-Kendrick feud. Neither J. Cole’s team nor the artists involved have officially confirmed the removed features.
