Kendrick Lamar, J Cole album news: Release date still not on the horizon, Lamar facing charges for copyright infringement
Kendrick Lamar and J Cole's album is one of the most anticipated collaborations in the rap industry to date, but conflicting reports seem to confuse fans if it will arrive soon or not.
According to a report by EWN, J Cole is confirmed to have a South Africa tour, which might cause further delay to the album production. With the rapper's hands currently full, some fans doubt if the album will be released anytime soon. Additionally, there are reports saying that Lamar will be joining Drake for a summer tour this year. With the two being busy with each of their own gigs, it is hardly possible that they even have time to be in the same place to work on the album.
On another note, Lamar is currently facing lawsuit charges for using 1970s singer Bill Withers' music without permission. In a report by TMZ, the rapper allegedly put his lyrics in Withers' song for his track titled "I Do This." Mattie Music Group owns the rights to Withers' 1975 track "Don't You Want To Stay," and the company is suing Lamar for damages by illegally using the single.
Despite the serious case filed against him, BBC news mentioned that Lamar maintains a "thumb to the nose, catch me if you can attitude" on the issue. He reportedly "admitted" to copying Withers' music, but "ignored demands to stop." Top Dawg, Lamar's record label as well as a publishing unit of Warner Music Group are included as defendants in the case.
As of now, all fans can hold on to is Lamar's statement a long way back saying that he will do the album. "We gonna drop that out the sky, I ain't gonna give no dates, no nothing. I'm just gonna let it fall," Lamar stated in a report by The Bitbag.
