J. Cole - Crooked Smile (feat. TLC): A Song Review
If you are looking for a song that celebrates imperfections and inspires confidence, you might want to check out J. Cole's Crooked Smile, featuring the legendary girl group TLC. This song is a hip hop and R&B ballad that delivers a powerful message of self-love and acceptance, while also paying tribute to a tragic victim of police brutality. In this article, we will review the song in detail, looking at its lyrics, music, and impact.
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Introduction
What is the song about?
Crooked Smile is a song by American rapper J. Cole from his second studio album, Born Sinner (2013). The song features a guest appearance from TLC, who sing the hook. The song was released as the second single from the album on June 4, 2013.
The song is about embracing one's flaws and being self-acceptive, regardless of what society or others might say. J. Cole uses his own crooked teeth as an example of a physical imperfection that he has learned to love and appreciate, rather than fix or hide. He also encourages women to love themselves and not let their appearance or insecurities define them. He tells them that they are beautiful and worthy, and that they should not settle for less than they deserve.
Who are the artists involved?
J. Cole is a rapper, songwriter, and producer from North Carolina. He rose to fame after releasing his mixtapes The Come Up, The Warm Up, and Friday Night Lights. He signed with Jay-Z's Roc Nation label in 2009, and released his debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story in 2011, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. His second album Born Sinner was also a commercial and critical success, spawning hits like Power Trip, Forbidden Fruit, and Crooked Smile. He is known for his lyrical skills, storytelling abilities, and social commentary.
TLC is a girl group from Atlanta, Georgia, consisting of Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, and the late Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. They are one of the best-selling and most influential groups of all time, with over 65 million records sold worldwide. They are known for their hits like Waterfalls, No Scrubs, Unpretty, and Creep. They are also known for their style, activism, and controversies.
How did the song come to be?
J. Cole explained that he came up with the idea for the song after writing the hook, which he thought would be perfect for TLC. He said he was a fan of their music growing up, especially songs like Unpretty and Waterfalls, which had similar messages to Crooked Smile. He contacted them through his manager and they agreed to collaborate. He worked with them in separate studios, meeting T-Boz in Los Angeles and Chilli in Atlanta.
J. Cole also said that the song's recording process was his longest and most strenuous because of the potential he saw in it. He co-produced the song with Elite, using a sample of Nothing Even Matters by Lauryn Hill and D'Angelo. He said he wanted to make the song sound like a classic, and that he went through several versions and revisions before finalizing it.
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Analysis of the song
The lyrics
The song consists of three verses by J. Cole and a chorus by TLC. The lyrics are mainly about self-acceptance and empowerment, but also touch on social issues and personal stories.
The chorus
The chorus is sung by T-Boz and Chilli, who harmonize over the soulful sample. They sing:
I'm on my way, on my way, on my way down
I'm on my way, on my way, on my way down
You're the one that was trying to keep me way down
But like the sun, oh you know I found my way back round
The chorus is a declaration of resilience and confidence, as they say that they are on their way to success and happiness, despite the obstacles and critics that tried to keep them down. They compare themselves to the sun, which always rises and shines, no matter what. They also imply that they have overcome their struggles and found their way back to their true selves.
The verses
The verses are rapped by J. Cole, who uses his personal experiences and observations to illustrate his points. He raps:
Look, I was gonna go easy on you not to hurt your feelings
But I'm only going to get this one chance
Something's wrong, I can feel it
Just a feeling I've got, like something's about to happen
But I don't know what
If that means what I think it means, we're in trouble
Big trouble. And if he is as bananas as you say
I'm not taking any chances
You are just what the doc ordered
Verse 1: J. Cole raps about his insecurity about his crooked teeth, which he inherited from his father. He says that he used to be ashamed of them and considered getting braces or veneers, but he decided to embrace them as part of his identity. He also says that he does not care about the opinions of others who might judge him for his appearance, and that he is proud of his smile, which reflects his personality and character.
They tell me I should fix my grill cause I got money now
I ain't gon' sit around and front like I ain't thought about it
A perfect smile is more appealing but it's funny how
My shit is crooked look at how far I done got without it
I keep my twisted grill, just to show them kids it's real
We ain't picture perfect but we worth the picture still
I got smart, I got rich, and I got bitches still
And they all look like my eyebrows: thick as hell
Verse 2: J. Cole raps about the pressure that women face to conform to unrealistic beauty standards and expectations. He says that women are often judged by their appearance and not by their intelligence or personality. He also says that women are often manipulated by men who do not appreciate them or treat them well. He advises women to love themselves and not let anyone make them feel insecure or inferior. He tells them that they are beautiful and valuable, and that they should not change for anyone.
Love yourself, girl, or nobody will
Oh, you a woman? I don't know how you deal
With all the pressure to look impressive and go out in heels
I feel for you
Killing yourself to find a man that'll kill for you
You wake up, put makeup on, stare in the mirror
But it's clear that you can't face what's wrong
No need to fix what God already put his paint brush on
Your roommate yelling, "Why you gotta take so long?"
What it's like to have a crooked smile
Verse 3: J. Cole raps about the story of Aiyana Jones, a seven-year-old girl who was killed by a police officer during a raid in Detroit in 2010. He says that he was moved by her story and wanted to dedicate the song to her memory. He also says that he wanted to raise awareness about the issue of police brutality and injustice in America. He expresses his anger and sadness over her death, and calls for justice and accountability. He also says that he hopes that she is smiling in heaven, and that he will never forget her.
This crooked smile shit is deeper than rap though
It's a message for the masses that the media can't pass though
See this is for my sister Aiyana Jones who was killed in a raid in Detroit
She was only seven years old when she died
And I wonder if she ever got to see her crooked smile
And I wonder if she ever knew how much I loved her
And I wonder if the cops who killed her ever faced a trial
And I wonder if they ever felt remorse or regret
And I wonder if they ever think about her when they go to bed
And I wonder if they ever say a prayer for her soul
The music
The music of the song is a blend of hip hop and R&B, with influences from soul and neo-soul. The song is built around a sample of Nothing Even Matters by Lauryn Hill and D'Angelo, which provides the main melody and chord progression. The sample is looped and layered with drums, bass, piano, strings, and horns, creating a rich and smooth sound. The song has a tempo of 95 beats per minute and is in the key of F major.
The genre and style
The song belongs to the genre of conscious hip hop, which is a subgenre of hip hop that focuses on social issues, political commentary, and positive messages. Conscious hip hop artists often use their music as a platform to express their opinions and educate their listeners about the problems and solutions in the world. Some examples of conscious hip hop artists are Kendrick Lamar, Common, Talib Kweli, and Mos Def.
The song also belongs to the style of neo-soul, which is a subgenre of R&B that incorporates elements of soul, jazz, funk, and hip hop. Neo-soul artists often use organic instruments, complex melodies, and poetic lyrics to create a sophisticated and soulful sound. Some examples of neo-soul artists are Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Jill Scott, and Maxwell.
The sample and production
The song uses a sample of Nothing Even Matters by Lauryn Hill and D'Angelo, which is a song from Hill's debut solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998). The song is a duet between Hill and D'Angelo, who sing about their love for each other and how nothing else matters in the world. The song is a slow and mellow ballad, with a simple piano accompaniment and soft vocals.
J. Cole co-produced the song with Elite, who is a producer and engineer from New Jersey. Elite has worked with J. Cole on several songs, such as Who Dat, Fire Squad, and Love Yourz. Elite said that he and J. Cole wanted to make the song sound like a classic, so they used vintage equipment and techniques to create the beat. He said that they sampled the original song from vinyl, chopped it up, added drums and bass, and mixed it with analog gear.
The message and impact
The song has a positive and uplifting message of self-love and acceptance, which resonates with many listeners who struggle with their self-esteem or face discrimination or oppression. The song also has a social and political impact, as it raises awareness about the issue of police brutality and injustice in America.
The theme of self-love and acceptance
The main theme of the song is self-love and acceptance, which is expressed through the metaphor of the crooked smile. J. Cole uses his own crooked teeth as an example of a physical imperfection that he has learned to love and appreciate, rather than fix or hide. He also encourages women to love themselves and not let their appearance or insecurities define them. He tells them that they are beautiful and worthy, and that they should not settle for less than they deserve.
The theme of self-love and acceptance is important because it challenges the unrealistic and harmful beauty standards that society imposes on people, especially women. It also empowers people to be confident and proud of who they are, regardless of what others might think or say. It also inspires people to be supportive and compassionate towards each other, rather than judgmental or cruel.
The tribute to Aiyana Jones
The song also pays tribute to Aiyana Jones, a seven-year-old girl who was killed by a police officer during a raid in Detroit in 2010. J. Cole said that he was moved by her story and wanted to dedicate the song to her memory. He also said that he wanted to raise awareness about the issue of police brutality and injustice in America.
The tribute to Aiyana Jones is important because it exposes the reality of police violence against innocent civilians, especially black people. It also honors the life and legacy of Aiyana Jones, who was robbed of her future by a senseless act of violence. It also calls for justice and accountability for her death, as well as for other victims of police brutality.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In conclusion, Crooked Smile is a song by J. Cole featuring TLC that celebrates imperfections and inspires confidence. The song is a hip hop and R&B ballad that delivers a powerful message of self-love and acceptance, while also paying tribute to a tragic victim of police brutality. The song has a rich and smooth sound, built around a sample of Nothing Even Matters by Lauryn Hill and D'Angelo. The song has a positive and uplifting impact on many listeners who struggle with their self-esteem or face discrimination or oppression. The song also has a social and political impact, as it raises awareness about the issue of police brutality and injustice in America.
Personal opinion and recommendation
Personally, I think that Crooked Smile is a great song that deserves more recognition and appreciation. I think that J. Cole is a talented and versatile artist who can rap and sing with skill and emotion. I think that TLC is a legendary group who can harmonize and deliver catchy hooks. I think that the song is well-written, well-produced, and well-performed. I think that the song has a meaningful and relevant message that can inspire and educate people. I think that the song is a classic that can stand the test of time.
I would recommend this song to anyone who likes hip hop, R&B, soul, or neo-soul music. I would also recommend this song to anyone who needs a boost of confidence or motivation, or who wants to learn more about the issue of police brutality and injustice in America. I would also recommend this song to anyone who enjoys good music with good lyrics and good vibes.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the song:
Q: Where can I download J. Cole's Crooked Smile mp3?
A: You can download J. Cole's Crooked Smile mp3 from various online platforms, such as iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, or SoundCloud. You can also buy the physical CD or vinyl of his album Born Sinner, which includes the song.
Q: What does J. Cole mean by his eyebrows being thick as hell?
A: J. Cole means that his eyebrows are thick and bushy, which is another physical feature that he does not care about or try to change. He also uses it as a metaphor for his success and wealth, as he says that he got smart, rich, and bitches still.
Q: Who is Aiyana Jones and what happened to her?
A: Aiyana Jones was a seven-year-old girl who was killed by a police officer during a raid in Detroit in 2010. She was sleeping on a couch when the officer threw a flash grenade into her home and shot her in the head. The officer claimed that he accidentally fired his gun when he was confronted by Aiyana's grandmother, but the grandmother denied this and said that she never touched him. The officer was charged with involuntary manslaughter, but the case ended in two mistrials due to hung juries. He was eventually cleared of all charges in 2015.
Q: How did J. Cole get TLC to feature on his song?
A: J. Cole got TLC to feature on his song by contacting them through his manager and expressing his admiration for their music. He said he was a fan of their songs like Unpretty and Waterfalls, which had similar messages to Crooked Smile. He worked with them in separate studios, meeting T-Boz in Los Angeles and Chilli in Atlanta.
Q: What is the sample used in the song?
A: The sample used in the song is Nothing Even Matters by Lauryn Hill and D'Angelo, which is a song from Hill's debut solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998). The sample provides the main melody and chord progression of the song.
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