In his 2013 track Let Nas Down, J. Cole reflects on his journey from idolising rapper Nas to grappling with the pressure of commercial success in the industry. Recently, his public apology to Kendrick Lamar, following a lyrical exchange, has stirred controversy among hip-hop fans. The incident raises questions about the norms of rap beef and sportsmanship in the genre. While some argue that Cole's apology was warranted, others believe it undermines his position as a leading artist and goes against the competitive spirit of hip-hop.
In his 2013 song, Let Nas Down, rapper J. Cole paints a picture of how he grew up idolising fellow rapper Nas.
He follows up that picture by lyrically recalling how he struggled to comprehend the fact that his idol was a fan of his work after the pair met backstage at a show and had a brief conversation.