Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole new album release date: rumored delayed due to summer tour?

Kendrick LamarWikimedia Commons/Trijnstel

It was previously reported that the Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole collaboration album is still in the works but the two artists are focusing primarily on their individual careers. However, a new report from Complex hints that the album is being delayed because of an upcoming summer tour that will see J. Cole and Drake team up.

"There's a rumor that I heard that there's gonna be an announcement this week of a Drake and J. Cole summer tour," stated Ebro Darden of Hot 97. Unfortunately, neither Drake nor J. Cole's camp was able to verify if this statement was true or not. 

If this tour really does happen, it would mean J. Cole will not have the time to be within a recording studio working together with Kendrick Lamar and their associates. Instead, the artist would have to spend his time perfecting his performance alongside Drake as they move from one location to the other throughout the tour.

There are no official announcements regarding a summer tour, therefore at this point it should still be taken as pure speculation. One factor that fans take as a sign this rumor is true is the fact Drake will release his new studio album "Views from the 6" in April and the next big step to promote an album is to go on a nationwide tour.

Fans are now speculating that Lamar may also include other big-name artists when the Lamar-Cole album does get into production. In a report from Pitchfork, Lamar revealed that he initially wanted Prince to sing the hook on his song "Complexion," a song that was included in Lamar's album "To Pimp a Butterfly."

Unfortunately, Lamar explained that time passed by with little work done and so the collaboration with Prince did not see the light of day. However, fans are now speculating that Prince may be brought back to sing for the Lamar-Cole album if their schedules all match together.