J. Cole is giving longtime music executive Mark Pitts his flowers for playing a major role in ending one of hip-hop's most legendary feuds between Jay-Z and Nas .

During a conversation with GQ's Frazier Tharpe at chef Kwame Onwuachi's Maroon restaurant in Las Vegas, Cole and Pitts reflected on their longstanding relationship and the executive's involvement in bringing the two New York rap legends together.

Pitts, who has worked with artists including The Notorious B.I.G., Usher, and Chris Brown, said his reputation for trustworthiness helped him accomplish what others had previously struggled to pull off.

The former RCA Records president recalled being told that Jay-Z and Nas were willing to hear him out because they understood his intentions.

Cole, who credited Pitts with helping him land his deal with Jay-Z's Roc Nation, praised his mentor for being the person who finally got both rappers to put their differences aside following a vicious early-aughts battle.

"Mark was the unsung hero like behind…