From a DJ Tag to a Standout Track: The Text Messages Behind “Pi”

The Curtiss King video on X, posted on March 28, 2025, dives into the phone text messages that reveal the unexpected journey of the song “Pi” from Daylyt’s album to J. Cole’s Might Delete Later. In the CurtissKingTV interview, Daylyt shares how “Pi” started as a personal project featuring Ab-Soul, but took a turn when he reached out to J. Cole for a simple DJ tag to add some flair to the track.

To Daylyt’s shock, Cole went far beyond the request, delivering a full verse that transformed the song into a standout track on J. Cole’s 2024 album. The text messages Daylyt shares—“Cole…please tell me this ain’t what I THINK it is”—capture his disbelief and excitement at Cole’s unexpected contribution, showcasing the spontaneous trust that drives hip-hop collaborations and offering fans a rare look into the creative process.

These text messages also help dispel rumors that emerged around “Pi” in 2024, especially during the heated rap beefs involving J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and Drake. Ab-Soul, in a 2024 interview with DJ Hed and Gina Views, clarified that his verse was a favor for Daylyt, with no connection to any Kendrick Lamar diss, a point reinforced by Top Dawg Entertainment’s Punch on Twitter.

I hate to clear up rumors, I usually let them fester and see how far they go, but ALL verses on Pi were recorded long before Like That. https://t.co/qLuJIwx7PG

— Punch TDE (@iamstillpunch) October 14, 2024

The texts in the Daylyt interview align with this, proving “Pi” was rooted in friendship, not rivalry, despite the era’s tensions—like J. Cole’s later decision to remove “7 Minute Drill” from Might Delete Later after apologizing to Kendrick Lamar at Dreamville Fest in 2024. Daylyt’s initial outreach to Cole for a DJ tag, only to receive a game-changing verse, underscores the unpredictable nature of these creative exchanges.

For music fans, these text messages are a storytelling treasure, blending cinematic drama with the intimacy of a late-night chat. They highlight the human side of hip-hop, where a casual request for a DJ tag can lead to a career-defining moment, as seen in Daylyt’s stunned reaction to J. Cole’s verse. The video’s split-screen format, with Daylyt in a car and Curtiss King in the studio, adds a personal touch, making viewers feel like they’re going on a ride. This glimpse into “Pi’s” journey—sparked by a simple ask—reveals the magic of collaboration in hip-hop, leaving us curious about the untold stories, texts or emails behind other tracks we love.