Joe Budden‘s name quickly became a trending topic following J. Cole‘s apology to Kendrick Lamar for his “7 Minute Drill” diss … fans were eager to hear JB unload on the situation — and unload he did!!!

JB hails from the East Coast battle space, and seems willing to accept Cole just ain’t cut from that same cloth — but Joe told his podcast crew that Cole building up the diss … to then turn his back on supporters was nasty work.

Budden couldn’t stomach watching Cole’s apology, yet he still applauded the “Middle Child” rapper for what he calls a rare mature look for hip hop.

But, in the next breath, he rips Cole for faking like he was “the one” all this time — Budden says thanks to the apology, Kendrick’s “Like That” bars have now turned immortal!!!

Even worse, he says Cole was cosplaying as a rapper who wanted the throne, because he’s too damn quick to crown not only Kendrick … but Drake, too!!!

Budden might think he washed his hands with the Cole situation, but Ari Lennox — the 1st Lady of Dreamville — isn’t letting him off the hook.