J. Cole Explains Why He Stays Away From Features

J. Cole hasn't had a (real) feature on his last four albums.

Yet they've all gone platinum but 2018's KOD, which should eventually hit that million sold marker.

J. Cole is the cover boy on the latest issue of Billboard. In his interview, he discussed he's feature and outside collaborator-averse ways.

Bringing it back to music: You’re famously averse to features and outside producers. Would experimenting with a camp and opening up your creative process ever appeal to you?
No, never. Being collaborative, yes, but being ultra collaborative, nah. I don’t want “Give me your best song” and pick from them. I don’t even have a lot of rapper friends.

Do you ever feel like you’re out of step with your peers?
I don’t look at it as they’re running left and I’m running right. I’m following my inspiration and where that’s going to lead me.

Do you think J. Cole can enjoy a long career keeping almost everything in-house?