J. Cole dedicates a verse to Kanye West in his pre-4 Your Eyez Only track 'False Prophets.'

We can debate whether it was a diss to 'Ye, or if it was a respectful cold dose of reality. But there's no doubt Cole is suggesting that West has fallen off.

Which is why this Tweet from Mike Dean -- who has been 'Ye's friend and producer for years -- is getting so much attention:

why do artists who are lacking always make a diss song just before their LP comes out??

— MIKE DEAN! #MWA (@therealmikedean) December 6, 2016

The inevitable backlash followed, with the inevitable mention of Cole's lack of features.

@therealmikedean COLE AINT LACKING HE WENT DOUBLE PLATINUM WITH NO FEATURES AND KANYE NEEDED 27 FEATURES & 42 GHOSTWRITERS FOR TLOP

— The Kid That Did (@HoodrichMenace) December 6, 2016

Dean went on to clarify that he was speaking generally.  Although he doesn't necessarily deny the Cole-'Ye thing was what he had his mind when he Tweeted.

not anyone in particular. its just a pattern in the industry.

— MIKE DEAN! #MWA (@therealmikedean) December 6, 2016

Soulja Boy Quavo apex twin kanye it goes on and on 50 cent kanye i was not pointing at any one person calm down u hype beasts!

— MIKE DEAN! #MWA (@therealmikedean) December 6, 2016

What do you think? Was there something cheap and contrived about Cole bringing up 'Ye as he announced his album was about to drop?