Malcolm-Jamal Warner, known for his role on “The Cosby Show,” has recently launched a podcast where he addresses various cultural topics. In a recent episode, he focused on what he sees as the excessive use of the N-word in rap music.

J. Cole, a versatile MC known for his deep, lyrical content as well as more light-hearted tracks, is one of the artists Warner critiques. On the debut episode of his podcast “Not All Hood,” which premiered on June 10, the 53-year-old actor expressed his concerns about the frequent use of offensive language in hip-hop, including by some of his favorite artists like J. Cole.

MALCOLM-JAMAL WARNER ON J. COLE

“I think why I’m more against it now is because it’s used so gratuitously,” Warner said about J. Cole’s music. “It’s used without regard. At this point, for me, in hip-hop, I think there should be a moratorium on ‘na’ and ‘bh.’ It’s low-hanging fruit. It’s so easy. Everybody f***ing does it to the point that it’s corny.” Warner’s comments raise the question of how J. Cole might respond to such criticism.

In the first episode of his podcast, Warner elaborated on his stance, saying, “There are MCs who I love, who I cannot listen to anymore. I love J. Cole but I had to stop listening to J. Cole because I got tired of hearing ‘na’ and ‘bh’ every two sentences. Because he’s proven himself to be such an incredible lyricist, [so I hate] the regularity that he does [use those words].” This critique touches on a broader, long-standing debate about profanity in music. For Warner, J. Cole’s frequent use of these terms is particularly disappointing given his lyrical talent.

As fans eagerly await the release of J. Cole’s upcoming album “The Fall Off,” speculated to drop either in 2024 or possibly later, discussions like Warner’s highlight the ongoing tension between artistic expression and social responsibility. Despite the criticisms, J. Cole’s impact and skill as an artist remain widely acknowledged, even by those who take issue with his choice of words.