Wed 21 Aug 2013
Exclusive: J. Cole Is Re-Shooting “Crooked Smile” Video, Explains How Macklemore Helped the Single
Posted by Mikey Fresh under Exclusives , Interviews[7] Comments

Journalists have been hounding J. Cole for some facetime ever since the “Control” hoopla took over the Internet. He has remained silent on the issue and seems to have little interest on the topic. Instead on a cool Wednesday morning in Manhattan, Jermaine is seated next to me as he takes his turn trying to beat the next level in UBISOFT’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist. And, he’s getting shot to death every time I look up at the TV.
Cole has a full day of promo ahead in support of his track, “Miss America,” being included on the game’s soundtrack. Admittedly, the NYC transplant isn’t your die hard gamer, but jumped at the opportunity. He even admits that he just picked up a new Xbox just so he can play the game.
After I turn my recorder on, we talked about everything from his upcoming VMA nomination for “Power Trip,” upcoming tour with Wale, and his next singles. When I asked about his “Crooked Smile” video, Cole reveals that he needs to re-shoot the entire thing. The new version does feature Chilli and has a story concept. Fans can expect it to be released in a few weeks. Also, Cole plans to release the first version at some point.
“We have to re-shoot it,” J Cole tells Missinfo.TV. “It came out nice but it just didn’t come out exactly how I wanted. It’s such an important song so I want the visual to match. If this was my first video than I would have panicked. We had to re-shoot “Work Out,” too.”
Read why J. Cole thinks Macklemore has helped the success of the single after the jump…
“ [“Crooked Smile”] deserves to be the number one record in the country. I think Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop” gave me hope for a song like this. I think he kinda… as weird as it is, and it’s always happens like this, the White boys got to open the door for Black people at White radio. It happened with Elvis, Eminem, Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke, and now hopefully Macklemore with a song like “Thrift Shop” can allow “Crooked Smile” to get its proper shine at Pop Radio, Cole tells Missinfo.tv. “Honestly, you can’t name me many songs better than… I don’t mean to sound crazy, but better than “Power Trip” as singles. They should have gave it a chance at Pop radio. All these Pop PDs weren’t giving rap a chance at all.”
Cole says “Thrift Shop” was relate-able enough for fans all over the world to connect with. “It’s takes something like “Thrift Shop” to open the door. We Needed Macklemore.” he tells Missinfo.tv. Ultimately, the Roc Nation rappers says Rap isn’t as strong on the Pop charts compared to the early 2000s, when hits like rap “In Da Club” were getting steady rotation on Pop radio.
Related: J. Cole Talks Early Struggles and Being Compared to Greats in ‘Born Sinner’ Vlog
August 21st, 2013 at 11:38 pm
he’s so irsty for a pop single, it’s all he ever talks about
August 23rd, 2013 at 10:29 am
Both Power Trip and Crooked Smile are horrible songs. Maybe that’s why they weren’t given a chance on pop radio, because they’re so bland. It’s all in the name, it has to POP.
August 23rd, 2013 at 8:02 pm
^ Oh shut just shut up. You sound like a simpleton.
P.S. He isn’t thirsty for anything, he just wants to be successful whats wrong with that?
August 24th, 2013 at 4:06 pm
@J.Cole is Delusional
Horrible songs? Really? LOL What the hell kind of music do you listen to then?
August 30th, 2013 at 11:34 pm
It’s a shame when young rappers want to send a positive message to our youth it’s “a horrible song”. However, if he would’ve said the b word over n over it would be at the top of the charts!! Sad word in which we live! smh
September 26th, 2013 at 2:35 pm
If you think Power Trip and Crooked smile are bland you must be completely ignorant. You are looking for the wrong thing in music. Its all about the message not the “pop”. Read a book get your knowledge up, bitch nigga
December 30th, 2013 at 11:30 pm
JCole is the realest rapper alive right now…He is the truth…Follow his journey…You are witnessing greatness unfold…