Symba’s barbershop argument apparently came with studio costs he now wishes he had avoided.

Symba admits he got a little froggy when he took shots at J. Cole during the Drake and Kendrick Lamar battle. Speaking on F4RUM, the rapper explained that he reacted out of disappointment as a fan rather than to diminish Cole’s legacy.

Apparently, Cole ruined a very passionate barbershop argument. Symba had been telling people that Cole could outperform both rappers, so watching him apologize for “7 Minute Drill” and step away left him frustrated. He acknowledged that taking those feelings into the studio and releasing a freestyle was immature and impulsive.

Symba also apologized for how aggressive his comments may have sounded, while making it clear that he still considers Cole an exceptional artist. His explanation puts the criticism in a different light: somebody he admired made a decision he didn’t understand, and he reacted publicly.

The original shots appeared in a 2024 freestyle over Big Sean’s “Control” instrumental. Cole’s later “Bronx Zoo Freestyle,” from Birthday Blizzard ’26, was interpreted by some listeners as a response. Symba subsequently released “Father Figure.”

This is some grown s**t right here. I appreciate him owning the reaction. Defending your favorite rapper can get serious, especially in barbershops, where the craziest s**t can end up getting blurted out. At least Symba can now acknowledge that admiration was underneath all that frustration.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.