By: Steven Sandage
On Friday (August 2) Drake released his latest album, Care Package, and it showed up with a revised version of the “Jodeci Freestyle.”
In 2013, when it was first dropped, a line in J. Cole’s verse outraged some people who said it was insensitive to the autistic community.
“Go check the numbers dummy, that’s just me gettin’ started/I’m artistic, you niggas is autistic, retarded,” he rapped. The newly revised version of the song has the line removed.
“In a recent verse on the song ‘Jodeci Freestyle,’ I said something highly offensive to people with Autism,” Cole said back then. “Last week, when I first saw a comment from someone outraged about the lyric, I realized right away that what I said was wrong.
“I was instantly embarrassed that I would be ignorant enough say something so hurtful. What makes the crime worse is that I should have known better.” Drake went onto his OVO blog to backup the statement my by Cold, writing, “I share responsibility and offer my sincerest apologies for the pain this has caused. Individuals with autism have brilliant and creative minds, and their gifts should not be disparaged or discounted. This was a learning lesson for both of us, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to try to right this wrong.”