J.Cole & Drake Pull Autism Lyric from “Jodeci Freestyle”

By Lora Neng
WWW.STREETGANGS.COM STAFF WRITER
July 24, 2013

Philanthropy in Hip Hop continues to branch out into broader areas as mistakes are remedied and others engage deeper in their communities, with autism becoming an issue of greater focus this past week. A controversy stirred from a lyric in the J. Cole-Drake collaboration “Jodeci Freestyle.”

“Go check the numbers dummy, that’s just me gettin’ started/ I’m artistic, you niggas is autistic, retarded,” went the song.

One Flannery penned an open letter to the duo, stating, “I’m fighting, we’re fighting, for our son’s future; his survival and ability to navigate the world depend so much on what happens in these early years. Please don’t make our uphill climb an exercise in futility. We, and so many others, will never forgive you for that. Do the right thing. Lift our children up, don’t tear them down.”

J.Cole issued an apology in a web post Sunday titled in reference to the advocacy organization Autism Speaks.” Individuals with autism have brilliant and creative minds, and their gifts should not be disparaged or discounted,” followed Drake. “This was a learning lesson for both of us, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to try to right this wrong. J. Cole and I believe that it is the right, responsible, and respectful decision to remove the lyric from the song.”

Brand Nubian’s Grand Puba and Sadat X, and Lost Boyz’ Mr. Cheeks are scheduled for a White Affair Fashion Show in August with partial proceeds benefiting Autism Speaks.