J. Cole - Crooked Smile Ft. Tlc (audio) -

The collaboration with TLC adds a layer of resilience and nostalgia.

: Critics have praised the song for its "earnest delivery" and "soulful melody," positioning it as a standout moment in modern hip-hop for its vulnerability and positive messaging. J. Cole - Crooked Smile ft. TLC (Official Audio) J. Cole - Crooked Smile ft. TLC (Audio)

: While the audio focuses on self-love, the Official Music Video expands the "crooked" metaphor to America’s justice system. It serves as a tribute to Aiyana Stanley-Jones, a seven-year-old killed in a 2010 police raid, highlighting that the nation itself has a "crooked smile" that "braces couldn't even straighten". The collaboration with TLC adds a layer of

Beyond personal beauty, the song carries a broader sociopolitical weight, particularly through its music video. particularly through its music video.