J. Cole Vs. Fashawn – Who Had the Best Verse on “Relaxation”? [POLL]

Rap fans have seen plenty of collaborations between this year’s XXL Freshmen—Freddie Gibbs and Pill have several songs together (“Run Up to Me,” “Womb 2 the Tomb” and “Do Wrong”), Gibbs and Jay Rock’s “Rep 2 Tha Fullest," Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean and Nipsey Hussle appeared on French Montana’s “I’m On It,” etc.—but last night (October 4) a joint between two of the class’s lyrical heavyweights, J. Cole and Fashawn, leaked onto the ’net, leading us to wonder who came off with the better verse.

The song, titled “Relaxation,” (which also features a verse from rapper/producer Omen) finds the North Carolina wordsmith and the Fresno spitter doing the exact opposite on the mic, as both spazzed out over Cole’s hook-less, laid back instrumental.

The Roc Nation star starts the track off first, showcasing an excited, fast-paced flow, while also exhibiting his penchant for making listeners hit the rewind button. Boasting, “These niggas quote my lines like the Lord’s book.”

'Fash grabs the baton from Cole at the 1:20 mark, switching the quick-fire flow to a more distinct rhyme scheme, emphasizing on the last syllable of every line, which he stretches out to a lasting effect. (“Every time a nigga roooooolll/Old school whip and it’s sittin’ on voooogues”).

Question is which student made the grade? —Jesse Gissen

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