In the latest episode of Inevitable, J. Cole’s new audio series chronicling his storied career, the North Carolina rapper shared an intriguing revelation: he once considered creating a collaborative EP with Meek Mill and Big Sean.
According to Cole, the idea emerged in 2012 while the trio was collaborating at the home of legendary producer No ID, a pivotal moment in their careers.
At the time, all three artists were riding a wave of momentum, each releasing standout projects that solidified their places in hip-hop.
Meek Mill attends the 2023 Fanatics Super Bowl Party at Biltmore Hotel on February 11, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Jesse Grant/Getty Images
Meek Mill had just dropped his Dreamchasers 2 mixtape, featuring the fan-favorite track “Burn,” which included Big Sean.
Meanwhile, Sean released his critically acclaimed Detroit mixtape, which featured Cole on the reflective track “24K of Gold.” Cole himself was crafting Born Sinner, the introspective sophomore album that would arrive the following year.
Despite the creative synergy between them, the EP never materialized, though the potential of such a collaboration remains a tantalizing “what if” for fans.
Big Sean attends the Call Of Duty: Vanguard Launch Party at The Belasco on November 03, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Araya Doheny/Getty Images
Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Cole emphasized how their creative paths were intertwined yet ultimately led in different directions.
During the episode, Cole also spoke candidly about how Kendrick Lamar’s debut album, good kid, m.A.A.d city, impacted him. Lamar’s masterpiece, released in 2012, set a new standard in storytelling and artistry, leaving Cole questioning his own trajectory.
“When [Kendrick’s] album dropped, the journey got harder, the mountain got steeper,” Cole admitted. “It was a feeling of surpassment… He did exactly what I wanted to do [with The Sideline Story].”
Kendrick Lamar accepts the Best Rap Album award for “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
The episode also teased unreleased collaborations between Cole and Lamar, recorded during that era, offering fans a glimpse of what might have been another iconic partnership.
With the final three episodes of Inevitable Season 1 scheduled to release on December 5, 9, and 12, fans can expect more insights and surprises as Cole continues to pull back the curtain on his career and artistic evolution.
See the social media post about J. Cole, Meek Mill, and Big Sean’s scrapped EP below.
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