J. Cole Confronts His Kendrick Lamar Apology in Surprise Freestyle

J. Cole released a four-track mixtape, Birthday Blizzard '26, just before his 41st birthday; its opening Bronx Zoo Freestyle revisits his apology to Kendrick Lamar and his decision to step back from the Drake–Lamar feud.

J. Cole released a surprise mixtape, Birthday Blizzard '26, hours before his 41st birthday and made it available on his website for $1 with an option to pay more. The four-track package opens with "Bronx Zoo Freestyle," in which he revisits his public apology to Kendrick Lamar and his choice to step away from the Drake–Lamar feud. Earlier in January he announced his seventh studio album, The Fall-Off, which is scheduled for release on February 6. A trailer for The Fall-Off was described as contemplative and shows Cole in quiet moments while an unnamed voice reflects on the temporary nature of fame. Notable details: - Birthday Blizzard '26 is a four-track mixtape released on Cole's website hours before his 41st birthday and is available for $1 with an option to pay more. - "Bronx Zoo Freestyle" opens the package and directly references Cole's apology to Kendrick Lamar and his decision to step back from the Drake–Lamar feud. - Cole previously acknowledged regret for engaging in rap beef during his Dreamville Festival appearance in April 2024, calling that choice a mistake and saying it disrupted his peace. - The Fall-Off, his seventh studio album, was announced earlier in January and is set for release on February 6, accompanied by a contemplative trailer. Summary: The freestyles bring Cole back to public discussion of a past apology and his recent statements about stepping away from rap conflicts. The Fall-Off is due February 6; how the new album and mixtape will be received is undetermined at this time.