It was November 27, 2015. While half the world was busy fist-fighting over discounted flat-screens, the hip-hop community was collectively losing its mind. Out of nowhere, J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar—two titans who were already being compared at every dinner table and barber shop—dropped a coordinated nuke. They both released tracks titled Black Friday.
But it wasn’t a collaboration in the way we expected.
Instead of jumping on a track together, they pulled a "Freaky Friday" on the industry. Kendrick hopped on Cole's "A Tale of 2 Citiez" instrumental, and Cole took a stab at Kendrick's "Alright" beat. It was a moment. A massive, culture-shifting moment that felt like the precursor to something bigger. We really thought that collab album was coming. Honestly, we were convinced.
The Swap: A Tale of Two Kings
Let’s get into the weeds here because the contrast between these two tracks is fascinating. Kendrick Lamar’s version of Black Friday is essentially a clinic in technical rapping. He didn't just rap on the "A Tale of 2 Citiez" beat; he basically tried to dismantle it.
He came out swinging with lines like, "I'm yelling Mr. Kanye West for president / He'd probably let me get some head inside the residence." It was aggressive. It was fast. He switched flows about five times in under four minutes. He even threw a nod to Adele, rapping about rolling deep in paper like "two Adeles." You’ve gotta appreciate the audacity of a guy who can merge jazz fusion with trap music and still sound like he's ready for a street fight.
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On the flip side, J. Cole’s "Black Friday" freestyle over the "Alright" beat felt more like a victory lap. Cole’s approach was a bit more laid back, but he still brought the heat. He used the platform to remind everyone that he was selling out Madison Square Garden and Staples Center without the massive radio machine behind him.
"When you and K. Dot shit drop? Bitch never / They can't handle two Black n****s this clever."
That line? It was the dagger. It was the moment the "collab album" hype turned into a bittersweet reality check.
Why the Internet Actually Broke
You have to remember the context of 2015. Kendrick had just released To Pimp a Butterfly, which was basically a religious experience for rap fans. Cole was still riding the wave of 2014 Forest Hills Drive, an album that famously went double platinum with no features.
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When Black Friday Kendrick Lamar and J Cole started trending, it wasn't just because the music was good. It was the sportsmanship. In an era where rappers were mostly subbing each other on Twitter or chasing viral beef, seeing the two best out of the "new" generation pay homage to each other was refreshing.
It felt like Jordan and Pippen—except they were on different teams but decided to swap jerseys for one night just to show they could play each other's positions better than anyone else.
The "February" Tease and the Heartbreak
The most frustrating part of this whole saga—and the reason people still search for this track a decade later—is the ending of Cole’s verse. He finished his freestyle by saying, "But this February, shit get scary when I fuck around and drop."
Naturally, the world stopped spinning.
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Fans spent the next three months scouring the internet for clues. Was it a joint album? Was it Dreamville? Was it Kendrick’s Untitled Unmastered? Kendrick’s own sister, Kayla Duckworth, even fueled the fire by posting (and then deleting) about a February 16th release date.
February 2016 came and went. We got Untitled Unmastered in March, but the joint project remained a ghost. In a 2023 interview on Lil Yachty's podcast, Cole finally pulled back the curtain, admitting that a full project never happened simply because of how busy they both were. They were at the peaks of their careers, moving in different directions, and the "Black Friday" tracks were essentially the closest we were ever going to get.
Real Talk: Whose Version Was Better?
This is the debate that won't die. If you're a fan of technical proficiency and lyrical gymnastics, you're probably picking Kendrick. He turned a dark, moody beat into a high-speed chase.
If you prefer charisma, storytelling, and a rapper who sounds like he’s actually having fun, Cole is your guy. Taking on the "Alright" beat is a suicide mission for most rappers because Pharrell’s production is so tied to Kendrick’s identity, but Cole made it sound like his own.
Actionable Insights for the Modern Listener
If you're just discovering these tracks now, or if you're a veteran looking to relive the hype, here is how to actually digest this piece of history:
- Listen to the Originals First: Go back and play the original "A Tale of 2 Citiez" from 2014 Forest Hills Drive and "Alright" from To Pimp a Butterfly. You need to hear the original DNA to understand how much they mutated these tracks.
- Check the SoundCloud Archives: These weren't official DSP releases at the time. To get the "authentic" 2015 experience, find the original uploads where the comments from ten years ago are still preserved.
- Look for the Unreleased Gems: If you’re still hungry for that collab, look up "Temptation" and "Shock the World." These are 2010-era tracks from their vault that Cole actually discussed in his Inevitable audio series in late 2024.
- Stop Waiting for the Album: Seriously. As of 2026, both artists have moved into completely different phases of their lives. Enjoy the Black Friday tracks for what they were: a snapshot of two legends at the height of their powers, acknowledging that they were the only ones in each other's rearview mirrors.
The "Black Friday" event wasn't just a marketing stunt; it was a testament to a time when lyrics still moved the needle more than TikTok sounds. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most impactful music isn't the stuff that's polished for a radio edit—it's the raw, competitive energy of two masters trading blows.