Last night, J. Cole surprised his fans by delivering “Snow On Tha Bluff, his first single of 2020. A thorough response to Noname following a recent Twitter callout, Cole’s reflection on race relations and effective ways to spread messages sparked passionate reactions from two different sides. The former, applauding Cole for his self-analysis and humility. The latter, accusing him of tone-policing and engaging in subtle misogyny. Suffice it to say, the song was successful in sparking discussion, so much so that Cole himself doubled down on his message earlier this morning.

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TDE‘s Reason, who served as a guest of honor at last year’s Revenge Of The Dreamers 3 recording sessions in Atlanta, had a few thoughts on Cole’s latest. “When I listen to this Cole record, I just wonder how some ppl don’t like shit like this,” he begins. “Like I don’t understand it. Somewhere in this world there’s a kid behind a keyboard telling whoever will listen how bad this is and I’ll never understand that. This shit beautiful.”

When somebody slid into the replies to accuse Cole of talking down to Noname, Reason maintained that he did nothing of the sort. Of course, the TDE rapper is no stranger to stirring Twitter controversy, with his own single “Might Not Make It” having recently caused a minor uproar on the social media platform. Still, Reason’s point holds true; it’s all too easy to pen hate behind a computer screen, and like it or not J. Cole is out there putting himself on the line. Do you agree with Reason’s assessment that “Snow On Tha Bluff” was “beautiful?”

REASON TDE

@reasonTDE

When I listen to this Cole record, I just wonder how some ppl don’t like shit like this. Like I don’t understand it. Somewhere in this world there’s a kid behind a keyboard telling whoever will listen how bad this is and I’ll never understand that. This shit beautiful

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REASON TDE

@reasonTDE

I know I can’t have an opinion cuz I may be cancelled but y’all really crazy so fuck it. Idk if Cole was talkin about no name or not. But got damn, there’s nothing disrespectful in the song. He complimented her and he disagrees with ONE THING and y’all turn it into a sex war….

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