J. Cole - Crooked Smile (Live on Letterman)

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Music video by J. Cole performing Crooked Smile (Live on Letterman). © CBS Interactive Music Group, a division of CBS Radio, Inc.
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[@lizziedee7651]

I love how he doesn't rap random shit like everyone else. his lyrics actually have meaning and tell a story

[@mischaesmail4887]

Exactly

[@nylablossom]

true af

[@tropicalnogales2288]

lizzie Dee I mean it's true but there's also rappers who have meaning as well

[@nolemvibesn_vibes5553]

lizzie Dee right tho?

[@queenluji3553]

Eminem too

[@mason4496]

Anyone else think that jcole sounds 1000% better live?

[@DylanGarciaaa]

Yessss

[@kakin19batista59]

Reeling N' Revving

[@iStealDoors1895]

Mason tru

[@makaveli405]

He just has a different energy live. Wish he brought that same energy on his studio recordings.

[@tegrabalonga9502]

Reason why he released FHD the live version cause it was that good

[@FedeArielS]

the energy he transmits when he performs live it's something awesome.. hope I get to be at one of his concerts one day..

[@iamthefemaleweezy01]

i watch these literally every day

[@Linda-ed3uc]

Man am I thought I was the only 1! I don't know what name is showing but this is SAMMY M.IM at my MOMS .Feel you though MUCH LOVE!

[@iamthefemaleweezy01]

i love him so much its unreal

[@nickpaige9277]

listen to be free

[@iamthefemaleweezy01]

i have done

[@rodrigog863]

sophia dickson so do I! Haha and the episodes they have on dreamville from like 3 years ago. I've watched them shits like 50 times

[@niritbarad2893]

I love J cole

[@JamesDrainer]

+Nirit Barad same

[@gfragiacomo2023]

This is life saving ❤

[@achrafkabal3957]

Bro believe it or not, this particular song helped me when I was writing an essay, I needed some expressions and just stole them from it, thank you Cole.

[@justusgordon-tilo5930]

I think what I loved the most was the end when the crowd started singing and it sounded so much like the actual track. I smiled and got goosebumps.

[@bailee-qg7cj]

His lyrics can literally make me wanna cry.

[@AutoYoung]

This song has made me cry before; seriously...

[@bobolafanibe3640]

@@AutoYoung literally

[@relaxjoshua3334]

5 years later

[@kavaldevereux3111]

It was based on real life event when a 7 year old girl was shot in her sleep when the police raided the wrong house.

[@jasonnisroc5547]

This dude is crazy great music

[@claytonkhumalo3372]

It's been my ringtone ever since I started knowing it great song strong message cole has always been about reality nd shit that we all can relate to. best rapper ever.

[@josecandido4753]

I admire his musical sensibility, is so unique and I like this music

[@zaddytyty7255]

J Cole my inspiration .

[@MrLudacrisk]

Nigga needs to come to Melbourne Australia ASAP

[@ThdeGreatestOne]

Man. That pianist is killing it!

[@AhmedHussain-oc3cx]

The end will always give me goosebumps, whether im on my first listen or my 10 millionth

[@jcrdr_]

Even though I On my way, on my way, on my way down On my way, on my way, on my way down You were the one that was tryna keep me way down But like the sun, know you know I found my way back 'round 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 Love yourself, girl, or nobody will Though 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 On my way, on my way, on my way down On my way, on my way, on my way down (This crooked smile) You were the one that was tryna keep me way down But like the sun, know you know I found my way back 'round To all the women with the flaws Know it's hard my darling You wonder why you're lonely And your man's not calling You keep falling victim 'cause you're insecure And when I tell you that you're beautiful You can't be sure 'Cause he don't seem to want you back And it got you asking So all you see is what you lacking Not what you packing Take it from a man that loves what you got And baby girl you're a star Don't let 'em tell you you're not Now is it real? Eyebrows, fingernails, hair Is it real? if it's not, girl you don't care 'Cause what's real is somethin' that the eyes can't see That the hands can't touch That them broads can't be, and that's you Never let 'em see you frown And if you need a friend to pick you up, I'll be around And we can ride with the windows down, the music loud I can tell you ain't laughed in a while But I wanna see that crooked smile On my way, on my way, on my way down On my way, on my way, on my way down You were the one that was tryna keep me way down But like the sun, know you know I found my way back 'round Crooked smile, we could style on 'em (Back 'round) Crooked smile, we could style on 'em (Back 'round) You were the one that was tryna keep me way down But like the sun, know you know I found my way back 'round We don't look nothin' like the people on the screen You know them movie stars Picture perfect beauty queens But we got dreams and we got the right to chase 'em Look at the nation That's a crooked smile braces couldn't even straighten Seem like half the race is either on probation, or in jail Wonder why we inhale, 'cause we in hell already I asked if my skin pale Would I then sell like Eminem or Adele? But one more time for the 'Ville And fuck all of that beef shit, nigga let's make a mil' Hey officer man, we don't want nobody getting killed Just open up that cell, let my brother out of jail I got money for the bail now, and well now If you asking will I tell now? Ayy hell nah I ain't snitching cause Man, they get them niggas stitches now If you was around, then you wouldn't need a witness now How you like this crooked smile? On my way, on my way, on my way down On my way, on my way, on my way down You were the one that was tryna keep me way down But like the sun, know you know I found my way back 'round Crooked smile, we could style on 'em (Back 'round) Crooked smile, we could style on 'em You're the one that was trying to keep me way down But like the sun, I know you know I found my way back 'round La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la On my way, on my way, on my way down On my way, on my way, on my way down You were the one that was tryna keep me way down But like the sun, know you know I find my way back 'round Back round You were the one that was tryna keep me way down But like the sun, know you know I find my way back 'round Back round You were the one that was tryna keep me way down But like the sun, know you know I find my way back 'round 'Round

[@yagirlangiee7783]

this made me so emotional hes my idol😭💞

[@1fallzeta]

OMG! Is this the J-Cole whose mother is one of the legendary Clark Sisters, Dorinda Clark-Cole? Talk about coming from an anointed family. You have aunts and a grandmother who put her stamp in gospel music, you have a cousin, J-Moss who's a heck of a singer and producer..wow!

[@johannesmotsepe1162]

he is not, the one you talking about is Gregory Cole Jr this Jermaine Lamarr Cole

[@1fallzeta]

Oh ok!!

[@Nextman916]

Johannes Motsepe LMAO

[@Marcicus93]

6th december, Manchester!

[@Bidhibeingreal]

Still

[@shangeetibodo2496]

grammy goes to: j cole fukin awesome to do this tight live

[@johnbeals1912]

Did they shot the little girl

[@hiracleswong5692]

Even though I- On my way, on my way, on my way down On my way, on my way, on my way down You were the one that was trying to keep me way down But like the sun, know you know I found my way back 'round 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 Love yourself, girl, or nobody will Though 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 On my way, on my way, on my way down On my way, on my way, on my way down (This crooked smile) You were the one that was trying to keep me way down But like the sun, know you know I found my way back 'round To all the women with the flaws, know it's hard my darlin' You wonder why you're lonely and your man's not callin' You keep fallin' victim 'cause you're insecure And when I tell you that you're beautiful you can't be sure 'Cause he don't seem to want you back And it's got you askin' So all you see is what you lackin' not what you packin' Take it from a man that loves what you got And baby girl you're a star, don't let 'em tell you you're not Now is it real? Eyebrows, fingernails, hair Is it real? if it's not, girl you don't care 'Cause what's real is something that the eyes can't see That the hands can't touch That them broads can't be, and that's you Never let 'em see you frown And if you need a friend to pick you up, I'll be around And we can ride with the windows down, the music loud I can tell you ain't laughed in a while But I wanna see that crooked smile On my way, on my way, on my way down On my way, on my way, on my way down You were the one that was trying to keep me way down But like the sun, know you know I found my way back 'round Crooked smile, we could style on 'em (Back 'round) Crooked smile, we could style on 'em You're the one that was tryin' to keep me way down But like the sun, I know you know I found my way back 'round We don't look nothing like the people on the screen You know them movie stars, picture perfect beauty queens But we got dreams and we got the right to chase 'em Look at the nation That's a crooked smile braces couldn't even straighten Seem like half the race is either on probation, or in jail Wonder why we inhale, 'cause we in hell already I asked if my skin pale, would I then sell like Eminem or Adele? But one more time for the 'Ville And fuck all of that beef shit, nigga let's make a mill' Hey officer man, we don't want nobody getting killed Just open up that cell, let my brother out of jail I got money for the bail now and well now If you askin' will I tell now? Ayy, hell nah I ain't snitchin' 'cause Man, they get them niggas stitches now If you was around, then you wouldn't need a witness now How you like this crooked smile? On my way, on my way, on my way down On my way, on my way, on my way down (That crooked smile) You were the one that was trying to keep me way down But like the sun, know you know I found my way back 'round Crooked smile, we could style on 'em (Back 'round) Crooked smile, we could style on 'em You were the one that was trying to keep me way down But like the sun, know you know I found my way back 'round La-la, la-la, la-la-la La-la, la-la, la-la-la La-la, la-la, la-la-la La-la, la-la, la-la-la On my way, on my way, on my way down On my way, on my way, on my way down You were the one that was trying to keep me way down But like the sun, know you know I found my way back 'round Back 'round You were the one that was trying to keep me way down But like the sun, know you know I found my way back 'round Back 'round You were the one that was trying to keep me way down But like the sun, know you know I found my way back 'round 'Round

[@kriggs1119]

Shoutout to the bald white guy hearing real rap music for the first time, you the real MVP ahah

[@stephenchesser4435]

Lmao he vibing 😂

[@boringchannel9987]

Only rapper who sounds better on stage

[@Devin-pw7qw]

+Boring Channel Kendrick Lamar?

[@CrazcRJB0077]

+Cheese Pizza Kendrick only sounds good on stage somewhat recently. He used to be terrible live.

[@josemiguelq]

+Boring Channel Drake sounds great on stage

[@nuckweise]

+Boring Channel jigga most of the time, but at the end of 100 shows or so he starts sounding rough.

[@gurubajwa9204]

Eminem sounds great live

[@shaliholliday9827]

no need to fix what God already put his paint brush on

[@rthominc]

on of the greatest lines ever put into lyrics..........................truth!!!

[@queenluji3553]

My favorite line

[@linhcao7689]

@@rthominc oivfw p,

[@mymom4724]

Damn

[@Midnight_Contender]

I don't believe in God, but I believe in J.Cole and good people like you ALI HOLLIDAY! Cole the realest

[@haydensworld28]

Yep J Cole deserves a Grammy he is REAL!

[@jamesmorant1406]

HaydReacts Your 100 Percent right

[@palm372]

Street don’t give a fucc about grammy

[@bluemcdaniel99]

He doesn’t need one.

[@wxieqdsiwevbks]

OHhhh HE SURE GOT A GRAMMY! :) :)

[@RJ-il7fo]

That’s why he won’t get one

[@veeyeye2920]

R.I.P Aiyana Stanley-Jones you will be truly missed. I will pray for the Stanley-Jones family.

[@tamara7301]

Rip

[@PrincipeGuityJr]

Dope music with positive messages unlike some songs I hear on the radio

[@erichokoth]

The

[@pound4pound740]

Duuh^

[@TOON.MUSIC.503]

Life's about tweaking and cocaine, positive music is overrated and not needed

[@DerekThomasLirio]

LOL. I haven't listened to the radio in years. The radio stations are like hookers, selling out to the highest bid. Forget that. I have a USB drive, always on my belt, and I have a cable that connects it to the radio. Radio stations are to music, like public schools are to education.

[@just1concernedamerican902]

principe guity absolutely...i was thinking the same thing.

[@boymanhhai]

Its rare to see a rapper without arm tattoos

[@cskaismful]

Ice Cube, KRS-One, Kool G Rap, the late Eazy-E and The Notorious B.I.G and on an on

[@anthonydelillo]

Who cares anyway? All that matters is their skills on the mic, really.

[@samuel2pac72]

I disagree lol. Pac made it popular though as far as in the Hip Hop/ black community

[@yrnreef8513]

Earl Sweatshirt,Tyler The Creator

[@polamalufan369]

+Fakie we meant good ones 😂😂🙌🙌

[@corabeese7518]

J Cole looks like such a sweet heart. He just has that teddy bear look about him like he's such a gentleman with women.

[@sagetwofour]

J.cole most underrated rapper he deserves a lot of attention he is the truth real rap right here classic fucking great at what he does love this nigga he so smart keep doing what you doing cole👍

[@armani3762]

Idk, his last album dropped at no. 1 and has went gold selling over 500,000 copies and it featured two hit singles, power trip which Gained him a Grammy nomination and the top ten r& r&b hip hop airplay chart- crooked smile

[@wannabebruce]

He just doesn't get as much attention as more "mainstream" artists.

[@armani3762]

Justin Smith True...

[@thedesolatescene3240]

Because certain types of music get more attention and that's how it's always going to be Popularity chart -club music -pop -hypebeast music -meaningful rap music -gangster rap music -rock/punk -metalcore/hardcore -death metal I didn't add everything but this is the general list.

[@cmoneyTHEhitmaker]

J. COLE IS ONE OF THE BEST PERFORMERS...HE MAKES SURE YOU HEAR THE LYRICS

[@fiendsforever3893]

still sad when the girl died in the video

[@sharondavis9079]

Your 1 of a kind... J COLE don't let em take your soul brother .

[@nigeluchiha2345]

Word

[@cherrybdaone]

And 3 years later.. Still the same guy.

[@lostkidsgetmoney8836]

STILL!!

[@leahmay1506]

God this mans fire, word Imma make people turn up like this one day 😭💜🔥🔥

[@JamesDrainer]

fire is an understatement lol this man is a legend ! i love j. cole he inspires me so much in my music.

[@bryceapollow8314]

+JamesDrainer™ Same man

[@CollegeJesters]

This reminds me of Tupac's "Keep Ya Head Up" during the House of Blues.

[@emilesimons]

I cant get myself to understand why so many of them are playing on their phones

[@codypower4298]

emile simons people are silly

[@quaid6973]

emile simons I think, and this is just me speculation. Most of these people are the ones that have to be told that the musics good, I think these ppl are hearing these songs for the first time and only when it came on mtv and the radio did they jump on the train, people are like sheep bro, not everyone though, some ppl in the audience feeling the songs, Rapping better than cole himself

[@karenmay9396]

+emile simons The world we live in :(

[@chrystalbrown2851]

I think there recording it cause they want it saved as a memory on there phone so every time ey look at it they remember how awesome J.cole was and that they were actually there to witness his greatness

[@sidneybervoets1163]

+emile simons Many of them are looking up the lyrics.. Its still a shame though.

[@chikasasakakombe2812]

I’m still rocking to this It hits different in 2023 Coz everyone has a crooked smile

[@lazershiresquad4826]

“We inhale because we in hell already” 🙏🏻

[@isaacegyir-fynn1966]

Who's still here today?🎉❤

[@rogerbustillos1027]

Homeboy @ 3:55 is really into it lmao.

[@MrMrbeanscar]

hahahahahahahhahaha

[@heat4yoass]

oy vey!

[@grammaticalerorr4654]

roger bustillos I think that man is a private bodyguard maybe? Or that blonde girl bf beside him lol

[@analizmaldonado5401]

He actually sings unlike most rappers but who else listening in 2019

[@miltonsibinde9104]

I really can't believe i did not like this amazing song at first..... i really can't.

[@1todobless]

Milton Sibinde me too

[@khaalidrashidali7440]

love you from somalia you earn my respect cole world

[@TavishSharma7]

J Cole ... Inspires me.

[@sfundomabaso3200]

This dude makes me enjoy life

[@Prashant-pm7iz]

Teaches you a few lessons whilst you’re at jt

[@xtoxic_killerz8993]

Only rapper who sounds good on stage and music videos👏👌

[@yingghit97]

I've listened to this track at least 15+ times before. But today when I actually paid attention and opened my mind you can really feel the message and impact of Cole's rhymes its just surreal, thats the beauty of Hip-Hop music!!

[@michaelpawlak3067]

Garrett Leong

[@MassenaMash]

I think I alone made 80,000 views on this one :))... Love it! Way to go J. Cole!

[@angelopantoja2248]

His lyrics make me cry

[@joaoeugenio20]

Jeez, so real..you're the best keep the real music alive. Cole World baby.

[@lizzysimmonsts]

Had the biggest crush on him cause he lyrical

[@armeenyazdi5441]

too bad he only performed his somewhat "mainstream" songs here. he shoulda hit these people with more unkown songs, the songs i listened to one time and thought this man is a fucking lyrical genius

[@cmdrchris971]

Armeen Yazdi like what?

[@Hideotic]

Let nas down is good

[@nneomdaprincess]

Like cost me a lot and too deep for the intro

[@youngegyptiankingspreading8794]

Lost ones, miss America

[@fatherprincipal]

J.COLE is talented i remember his show in Southampton United Kingdom it was a memorable show. can't wait for your next tour to UK

[@adenabdulla308]

Everyone needs this song in their life. Everything's so fake these days it's irritating.

[@alwayshungry1751]

Still gives me chills

[@sophialara439]

This song can't give you chills. If any song by J Cole gives you chills, it's probably his other song called She Knows with him and Amber Coffman.

[@rawtwhylahthadrummer6256]

His band is killin so hard!!

[@ayoandteofanaxg5131]

im still crying from the music video why did the little girl have to die 😢💔

[@tylermurphy2091]

people have no idea how lucky they were to see this live

[@tobieaina]

HONESTLYY. I would have given anything to have been here

[@noranasir6681]

Mad hurt that I got braces and I can't relate to this no more, still got a missing tooth so lol, I remember listening to this for the first time and crying my eyeballs out i was so happy

[@kiker0909]

When will pulling out your phone to record shit go away? I love Chance The Rapper and when I got to see him live I never thought I should pull out my phone and record this. Way to fucking into his show to even think or wasting my energy on recording it.

[@Just_juta_xox]

Can't wait to see him in Dublin December 11th!! :) So excited!! :)

[@Alledinhoo]

Almost 5 years later and this is still one of the best live performances I've seen. He's extremely talented and thats fax.

[@deaundrenisbeth2697]

Go check out JAHMAIKI He's a new h town rapper looking to be signed , he will work with any artist , and any one , he wants to make it to the top , and he's staying humble and doing things right , again go CHECK OUT JAHMAIKI. , or type JAY NEEZY

[@GailColeman-i8g]

If money ain't everything man made looks with money ain't either girl u brain washed by the world keep it real

[@haydensworld28]

3:07 gassseddd me up!! Woooo that was a wooooo moment as j Cole would say

[@annamarie6712]

I love this song, he's the hottest talent out of late!

[@chrislozoya4509]

J cole I dont knw what God does to you but. Every word you said in your song. Touched deep into my heart I couldnt stop crying. I couldnt stop looking at you and admiering all the beautiful love you got in in your heart Wondering Tryna figure out. Figure out why I and felt your pain. I felt like something wanted to run out of me and be next to you that brought unexplained tears pain.

[@mileswebb802]

He looks so happy lol. January 1st 2022 🤟🏾

[@prodbysober]

145 dislikes from mumble listeners' who don't want to listen a message instead of booties and liquors ...... or gucccccccci gang

[@heribertoarroyojr2164]

That’s free money man (cito arroyo) love man still got crisis and military problems

[@Ariell848]

Crooked smile woman here and I approve 😑😘😘🔥🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@iamthefemaleweezy01]

whos going to the 2014 forest hills drive tour?????

[@paveenasworld7163]

This is my favourite song

[@connordougherty9860]

Check out my soundcloud to hear my mixes: iCønic Gorgeous (Remix)

[@gkb2014]

I want to see you in concert.

[@shadylover1756]

Damn I should've been there!!!!!!!!

[@curtisp300]

J.COLE COME TO SOUTH AFRICA PLEAASEEE!!

[@702sundevil]

Love JCole

[@spaarbeleg]

Kendrick J cole they last Goats of this Era

[@gosegomakone3523]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👐👐👐👐👐👐✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍✍ ey what its like to have a crooked smile

[@carlossaga1912]

J cole is everything!!! Love his music and you can understand.

[@_.--._._-._--._-.--__.--._._-.]

Jcole was that rapper who rapped about insecurities, problems and other things that rappers now a days wouldn't want to touch up upon. He tells us to love ourselves and created his own lyrics to show his fans how real he is, the real Rap MVP that everyone fails to notice. Once you look up into his previous tracks like "No More Role Modelz" you'll see his perspective of life, how he had changed from being a normal rich rapper to a thoughtful one of others. The sad fact that the greatest rappers tend to either fall into death or go unnoticed or are extremely underrated from society. Even if no one knows JCole, he deserves a high award, afterall our little secret had bloomed into something so much over the years.

[@kim-ru5kr]

J Cole is my idol lol :p

[@ianraton6648]

its a cole world.

[@planck17]

that shirt why J cole why?!!!!!

[@felipechaves9000]

21 years old and I have two dudes that I love. Dave Chappelle and Jermaine. Thank you for inspire me... Brasil 🇧🇷

[@yohanesdwiutama5355]

im your big fan j.cole,please come to indonesia

[@ahmiena]

GREATEST RAPPER EVER. SPEAK THE TRUE WORDS

[@misganawmisge8501]

The only rapper that I love 4ever

[@prmikey]

Still here, 2024

[@pound4pound740]

FAVORITE SONG, EVER

[@LongBKNY]

THAT IS NOT TLC

[@cars_sy]

Its a cole world 🌎

[@zya3205]

Who’s here October 2020?

[@AK-mi7uc]

j cole is da best

[@ianraton2921]

Always watchin this every single day.Such a beautiful thing.

[@curateitgorl]

Always be my favorite song ❤️