J. Cole Burned By Hometown Controversy, “They Can’t Look Past The Curse Words” [Video]

Written By S. Samuel

Roc Nation's J. Cole has addressed recent controversy surrounding his home state tribute "Who Dat" music video after Fayetteville State University administrators denounced the music for its "explicit content."

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Cole believes the issues stemmed from the Chancellor James Anderson who could not see a positive message behind his rhymes.

“He pretty much had a problem with the cheerleaders appearing in the video,” Cole said about Fayetteville State’s issue with his viral video. “We had the cheerleaders from FSU, we had the highschool marching band from one of the local schools — basically the chancellor of Fayetteville State was upset because of my language. He was upset that everything fell into place, the highschool had to say the same thing but I feel that’s their age difference. That’s that social, cultural difference in age. Like, they can’t look past the curse words and see somebody from Fayetteville made it out and is actually doing something positive that they like and wants to come back and shine some light on the city and they can’t look past the curse words. I understand but that’s not how the city feels, it’s how he feels.” (102 Jamz)

Last month, administrators were trying to pull the video from media outlets.

Schools Superintendent Frank Till Jr. issued a statement Tuesday demanding the new J. Cole video “Who Dat” be pulled immediately from the Internet and TV. FSU Chancellor James Anderson apologized in a letter to alumni for Bronco cheerleaders who appear in the video. It was filmed this spring in Fayetteville, where J. Cole grew up. (Fay Observer)

They also denied having knowledge of the video containing explicit language.

“I think it shows the school and the city in a negative light,” Till said. “I think it was a legitimate mistake on the school’s part…We don’t allow that kind of language in our school…Why would we allow our students to do something like this?” Till said the video was shot after school hours and that each student turned in a release form signed by a parent. School officials at the scene of the video shoot said they didn’t hear profane lyrics. (Fay Observer)

Following its release, Cole talked with SOHH about shooting the clip in North Carolina.

“I think it was an excellent reception,” Cole told SOHH. “I just wish I would’ve explained to people more that it was a one shot, that we shot on film and even when you watch it in HD version it looks incredible because it was on 35mm film which is what they use to shoot movies with. Even with that said I think people respect the fact that I went home [to Fayetteville, NC]. I didn’t come out with a whole bunch of jewelry, a whole bunch of light skinned girls with short shorts on. It’s a real organic feeling video. I really wish I would’ve explained more to people but you know in time people will get it. They’ll see all the imagery and all the little signs.” (SOHH)

Check out J. Cole speaking on the video down below:

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Written by S. Samuel

Steven Samuel is the co-founder of SOHH.com.

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