J. Cole talks to the people about “Crooked Smile”

While attending St. Johns University, J.Cole was living in a small townhouse in the Jamaica section of Queens, New York. Packed in like sardines, living with his friends. With not much but some dreams and some drive, he made it to where he told himself he would always make it.

As part of MTV’s “Life & Rhymes” video series, Cole returned to the townhouse he once lived in with his friends while attending school in Queens. Cole introduces the viewer to the apartment’s landlord, Mohammed, who was mentioned in Cole’s hit song, “Power Trip.” Cole said Mohammed was one of the first people to believe in his dream as he regularly let him slide on the rent when he was light on dough for the month. Cold revealed, however, that once he got famous, he promptly paid Mohammed back the money he owed him.

In Coles words “The message in “Crooked Smile” is about society trying to tell you , and reminding you that you not good enough, you don’t look good enough, you don’t dress good enough, your smile aint good enough, your weight aint good enough, your male enhancement aint good enough… And it’s just reminding you that like “Yo, you gonna be alright, it’s all good, you could still be happy, however you are right now, in this moment.”

You can watch the entire interview in the video above.