“Crooked Smile” is the Best Radio Single of J. Cole’s Career

Posted by Nathan S. on 06/03/13 | Filed under J. Cole

How I feel about J. Cole is as much of a work in progress as J. Cole, which means I feel like I had an important revelation when I saw that his new single "Crooked Smile" had dropped - I was genuinely excited to listen to it. In fact, I was a little surprised by how excited I was to hear it. Not only do I know Cole is capable of some real dopeness, but with the battle for June 18 on the horizon, the sense of urgency I had pressing play was amped up by a "OK, let's see if he's got some shit to outsell Kanye."

That bigger question is still in the works, but I will say that "Crooked Smile" is some of the best work I've ever heard for him. It's clearly that uplifting/catchy song meant for radio, but compared to the weak sauce that was "Work Out", this feels like Cole's figuring out how to truly incorporate his more serious leanings with something sing-along-able/female friendly. (It's a balance...wait for it...Kanye mastered.) I don't know if this will actually be a hit, but that might say more about the kind of shit radio's willing to play then anything Cole's done.

So yeah, if this is his shot at a hit single, I'm all for it. Consider me officially excited for "Born Sinner", let's do this goddamn thing.

p.s. - Wasn't quite sure what "ft. TLC" meant, did he sample an old unreleased TLC joint? Just got it confirmed that it's T-Boz and Chilli singing an original hook on the chorus, RIP Left Eye.