J. Cole Said He Had To Pay Dearly To Get His Masters Back From Jay-Z

by Daryl Nelson

The internet is going crazy now, thanks to Kendrick Lamar, who took a shot at J. Cole and Drake on Future and Metro Boomin's new song "Like That."

But some people are also talking about Cole buying his masters back from Jay-Z, who signed him to Roc Nation in 2009. [Jump to the 6:00-mark]

"Y'all ask Jigga, how much did the kid gross for that label? / Paid dues, had to pay dude for my masters, but I'm grateful / Sh*t, business is business," rapped Cole in the latest drop of his "Might Delete Later" video series.

Elsewhere in the video, Cole talked about Jay-Z being reluctant to release his first album.

"When I first signed to Jay, all I wanted to do is drop a classic," said the Dreamville boss at the 3:23-mark. "That sh*t could’ve sold 3,000 … And once I signed to Jay, this n*ggas was like, 'Nah, you ain’t putting an album out until you got some f*cking hits.'"

How much do you think Cole paid to get his masters back?