CyHi Disses J. Cole
CyHi directly dissed J. Cole on his new track "Lost Control," responding to Cole's 2016 song "False Prophets." The diss has created buzz in hip-hop circles with fans dissecting bars and speculating on a possible Cole response. This signals a return of lyrical competition in the genre after years of relative peace.
The decade-long delay on CyHi's response is rooted in a deep-seated loyalty to his longtime collaborator, Kanye West. In J. Cole's 2016 track "False Prophets," he took aim at a rapper widely interpreted to be West, rapping, "Ego in charge of every move, he's a star / And we can't look away due to the days when he caught our hearts / He's fallin' apart, but we deny it." Cole also lamented that his former "hero" was surrounded by "yes men" with "nobody with the balls to say something to contest him." As a key member of West's inner circle since the *My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy* sessions in 2010, CyHi took personal offense. He holds writing credits on numerous Kanye West tracks, including "So Appalled" and "Father Stretch My Hands," making Cole's criticism of West's collaborators a direct shot at his own integrity. On "Lost Control," CyHi makes the connection explicit, rapping, "You forgot I still owe you for 'False Prophets.'" He also fires back at Cole's perceived hypocrisy, referencing Cole's 2024 apology to Kendrick Lamar after releasing a short-lived diss track: "You was scared of our good brother in that Grand National, why? / Shoulda knew you and that lil' Honda was gonna have to collide." The timing of the diss has led to speculation, with some critics labeling it a "clout chase" a full decade after the original song dropped. However, CyHi has defended his timing, suggesting that some offenses don't have a statute of limitations. This delayed reaction draws parallels to other legendary hip-hop beefs, like the LL Cool J and Canibus feud, which ignited in 1997 and saw responses and repercussions play out over several years.
