I think we as fans wouldve removed him. People wanted to see Kendrick vs Drake,Cole was a third wheel. Cole bowing out was him actually having some self awareness for once. Knowing he damn sure aint Muhammad Ali of the Big 3
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I dont know if he actually believes that anyway,or if hes just following the blueprint of what lyrical rappers are supposed to say. Either way it was right for him to step to the side. Becsuse i think he wouldve been moved aside by fans anyway. Unless he dropped the most potent diss ever that completely changed peoples perception of him. Something i dont think hes capable of.
Perception being that hes 3 in the big 3 to everybody outside of Cole stans. In stature and musically speaking.