Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role on The Cosby Show, has raised eyebrows with his criticism of J. Cole and the broader use of the N-word in hip-hop. In the debut episode of his podcast Not All Hood, Warner, now 53, took issue with the frequent and, in his view, gratuitous use of the N-word by some of his favorite lyricists, including J. Cole.
“I think why I’m more against it now is because it’s used so gratuitously,” Warner explained, specifically referencing J. Cole’s music. “It’s used without regard. At this point, for me, in hip-hop, there should be a moratorium on ‘na’ and ‘bh.’ It’s low-hanging fruit. It’s so easy. Everybody f***ing does it to the point that it’s corny.”
Warner, a longtime fan of J. Cole, expressed frustration with the constant use of these words, despite Cole’s undeniable lyrical skill. “There are MCs who I love, who I cannot listen to anymore,” Warner continued. “I love J. Cole, but I had to stop listening to him because I got tired of hearing ‘na’ and ‘bh’ every two sentences. He’s proven himself to be such an incredible lyricist, so I hate the regularity with which he uses those words.”
This isn’t a new debate in hip-hop, as the discussion about profanity and its place in rap culture has been ongoing for years. However, Warner’s criticism of J. Cole highlights a tension between the rapper’s high artistic potential and what he perceives as a reliance on easily accessible, clichéd language. Despite these issues, Warner made it clear that he still recognizes Cole’s talent, saying, “He’s an incredible lyricist,” but his repeated use of certain words detracts from his work in Warner’s eyes.
As for J. Cole’s next moves, fans are still eagerly awaiting the release of his highly anticipated album The Fall Off. Whether it drops in 2024 or later remains uncertain, but the buzz around it remains strong. Regardless of the timing, J. Cole’s skill as an artist is undeniable, even if some listeners, like Warner, take issue with certain aspects of his lyrical content.
