Both rising as leaders of conscious hip-hop, both masters of storytelling and both constantly mentioned when debating the best in the game—Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole are undeniably two of this generation's most influential and celebrated rappers. On the surface, there’s always been mutual respect with Cole never hesitating to praise Kendrick, often calling him one of the greatest. But Kendrick? Well, that’s a different story. In fact, his actions—and even his lyrics—suggest otherwise. From subtle jabs in his verses to being the rumored reason their long-awaited collab album never materialized, Kendrick has consistently refused to acknowledge Cole as an equal, leaving an unspoken tension lingering for years ...But why?