She Knows (J. Cole song)
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox song
| name = She Knows
| cover = SheKnowsJCole.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = J. Cole featuring Amber Coffman and Cults
| album = Born Sinner
| released = October 30, 2013
| recorded = 2013
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Hip hop
| length = {{Duration|m=4|s=57}}
| label =
| writer =
- Jermaine Cole
- Madeline McKenna
- Ryan Mattos
| producer = J. Cole
| chronology = J. Cole
| prev_title = Forbidden Fruit
| prev_year = 2013
| next_title = Apparently
| next_year = 2014
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Amber Coffman
| type = singles
| prev_title = Get Free
| prev_year = 2012
| title = She Knows
| year = 2013
| next_title = All to Myself
| next_year = 2017
}}
{{Extra chronology
| artist = Cults
| type = singles
| prev_title = High Road
| prev_year = 2014
| title = She Knows
| year = 2014
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
{{Audio sample
| type = single
| file = She Knows.ogg
| description =
}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|jYdaQJzcAcw|"She Knows"}}}}
}}
"She Knows" is a song by American rapper J. Cole, released on October 29, 2013, as the fourth single from his second studio album, Born Sinner. The song samples "Bad Things" by Cults and was produced by J. Cole.
Background and recording
After his Grammy Awards nomination,{{Cite web |date=2012-04-05 |title=J. Cole – Grew Up Fast {{!}} HIPHOP2DAY |url=http://hiphop2day.com/j-cole-grew-up-fast/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405045454/http://hiphop2day.com/j-cole-grew-up-fast/ |archive-date=5 April 2012 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Hip Hop 2DAY}} Cole revealed that he was working on another album with Kendrick Lamar,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2012-11-19 |title=Kendrick Lamar Says Word Of Mouth Helped Album Sales, Refers To Shyne As Being A "Good Dude" |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.21931/title.kendrick-lamar-says-word-of-mouth-helped-album-sales-refers-to-shyne-as-being-a-good-dude |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}} later revealed to be Born Sinner. The album was delayed, before being released on June 18, 2013, a week earlier than the expected release date.{{Cite magazine |last=Diep |first=Eric |date=2016-12-21 |title=From Hometown Hero to Superstar Status: How High Can J. Cole Climb? |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/j-cole-4-your-eyez-only-superstar-status-7632425/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} The song is produced by J. Cole himself and samples Cults "Bad Things".{{Cite web|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.23513/title.j-cole-born-sinner-release-date-cover-art-tracklist|title = J. Cole "Born Sinner" Release Date, Cover Art, Tracklist & Spotify Stream|date = 17 June 2013}}
The lyrics represents Cole apologizing for cheating on his girlfriend, with a lack of sympathy by intending that "bad things were intended for him". He later expresses guilt about his seduction, ending the song.{{Cite web |title=Makna Lagu She Knows oleh J Cole tentang Kisah Cinta Rumit |url=https://kumparan.com/berita-terkini/makna-lagu-she-knows-oleh-j-cole-tentang-kisah-cinta-rumit-23cm1GLcOMl |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=kumparan |language=id-ID}}
Music video
On February 14, 2014, the accompanying video for "She Knows" was released on Cole's Vevo channel.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1722365/j-cole-she-knows-video/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904040259/http://www.mtv.com/news/1722365/j-cole-she-knows-video/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 4, 2014|title = J. Cole Gets Caught Cheating in New 'She Knows' Video|website = MTV}}
The video was filmed in South Los Angeles, including Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Middle School and Pink Motel.{{cite web | url=https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2014/02/18/j-cole-ft-amber-coffman-she-knows-sam-pilling/24290 | title=J Cole ft Amber Coffman 'She Knows' by Sam Pilling | Videos }} The music video was directed by Sam Pilling. The music video included appearances from Harold Perrineau and Rochelle Aytes acting as the parents.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-25 |title=From J. Cole's She Knows to TikTok's New Favourite Soundtrack—A Decade Later, the Game Changes Again |url=https://neonmusic.co.uk/from-j-coles-she-knows-to-tiktoks-new-favourite-soundtrack-a-decade-later-the-game-changes-again |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Neon Music |language=en}} The video follows a boy named Kyle who steals money from a drawer at home. Instead of going to school, he and his friend sneak into a private skate park. Eventually a police officer sees them and the two just barely manage to escape. Kyle returns home and to his shock, sees his mother cheating with another man (Cole). Kyle runs out of the house and his friend chases him to console him.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1722365/j-cole-she-knows-video/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904040259/http://www.mtv.com/news/1722365/j-cole-she-knows-video/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 4, 2014|title = J. Cole Gets Caught Cheating in New 'She Knows' Video|website = MTV}}
Reception
"She Knows" received generally mixed reviews. In a review for AllMusic, David Jeffries states: "It's snide, smart-ass stuff and when it comes to sublime/ridiculous balancing act that his heroes Jay-Z and Nas have mastered, Cole is a little short on the sublime side here to be considered classic."{{Citation |title=Born Sinner - J. Cole {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/born-sinner-mw0002547914 |access-date=2024-10-10 |language=en}} However, American magazine XXL named the song repetitive.{{Cite magazine |author=nmbnmb |date=2013-06-19 |title=J. Cole – 'Born Sinner' Album Review |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/j-cole-born-sinner-album-review/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |magazine=XXL |language=en}}
Controversy
Ten years after its release, "She Knows" trended on TikTok, being featured in 230,000 videos. The trend later deviated from regular activities to accusing famous rapper Sean Combs (known under the stage name Diddy) of deaths related to Aaliyah, Lisa Lopes, and Michael Jackson, referenced in the lyrics: "Only bad thing 'bout a star is they burn up / Rest in peace to Aaliyah / Rest in peace to Left Eye / Michael Jackson, I'll see ya / Just as soon as I die." Beyoncé, Jay-Z,{{Cite web |last=purepeoplebr |title=Jay-Z encomendou a morte de Aaliyah? Detalhes, teorias da conspiração e mistérios em torno da tragédia que matou a estrela |url=https://www.terra.com.br/diversao/gente/jay-z-encomendou-a-morte-de-aaliyah-detalhes-teorias-da-conspiracao-e-misterios-em-torno-da-tragedia-que-matou-a-estrela,bc28f6a2b7dec343a842779cc190c9d9r887ninj.html |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=Terra |language=pt-BR}} and R. Kelly{{Cite web |date=2024-10-02 |title=Morta em queda de avião, Aaliyah é ligada a teoria da conspiração com Diddy |url=https://www.uol.com.br/splash/noticias/2024/10/02/aaliyah.htm |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=UOL |language=pt-br}} were also addressed in the controversy,{{Cite web |date=2024-10-02 |title=Cantora morta em queda de avião está envolvida em teoria da conspiração com Sean Diddy |url=https://istoe.com.br/cantora-morta-em-queda-de-aviao-esta-envolvida-em-teoria-da-conspiracao-com-sean-diddy/ |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=ISTOÉ Independente |language=pt-br}} with allegations of their association with Diddy.{{Cite web |last=Art |first=Pop Culture & |date=2024-09-29 |title=Internet suggests J. Cole's 'She Knows' links Aaliyah, Lisa Lopes, Michael Jackson deaths to Diddy |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2499515/internet-suggests-j-coles-she-knows-links-aaliyah-lisa-lopes-michael-jackson-deaths-to-diddy |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}} People also suggest that the song's name, "She Knows", is a play on Diddy's first name (Sean) and Beyoncé's last name (Knowles).{{Cite web |last=Art |first=Pop Culture & |date=2024-09-30 |title=Fans react as J. Cole's 'She Knows' removed amid conspiracy: 'Doing this makes them look guilty' |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2499697/fans-react-as-j-coles-she-knows-removed-amid-conspiracy-doing-this-makes-them-look-guilty |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}
On September 30, 2024, the song was removed from YouTube amid controversy between SESAC and YouTube itself.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-30 |title=Videos By Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, And More Pulled From YouTube Amid SESAC Dispute |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/videos-kendrick-lamar-j-cole-151314295.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJ-Aac1AItpVuVGGVz_K2H2cyu34HUUIgxqoSbOGLNKYR6lhGI21Rnt4HLCnupRcjl8EHkNzhLblbLdL9z3zUZ4ZFnz08vRCKhM3KP7DaZatXmJR_sc_P95CaCexHzWz4Z0LrlwQq70PKfcDCn-FyC0JUgo1ErZGC-V5IYCi2S0a |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-09-30 |title=Why Did J. Cole's 'She Knows' Get Removed From YouTube? |url=https://uproxx.com/music/why-did-j-coles-she-knows-get-removed-from-youtube/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=UPROXX |language=en-US}}
Personnel
=Music=
- J. Cole – producer
- Cults – sample producer
=Video=
Charts
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2014)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{single chart|UK|68|rowheader=true|date=2014-04-06|access-date=July 31, 2022}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|90|artist=J. Cole|rowheader=true|access-date=August 24, 2015}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|24|artist=J. Cole|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2021}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|10|artist=J. Cole|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2021}} |
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2021)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{single chart|Billboardglobal200|175|artist=J. Cole|rowheader=true|access-date=6 January 2025|refname=GLO}} |
| scope="row"| Lithuania (AGATA){{cite web|url=https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/40s/|title=2021 40-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)|publisher=AGATA|language=Lithuanian|date=October 8, 2021|access-date=October 8, 2021}}
| 47 |
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2014)
! scope="col"| Position |
|---|
| scope="row"| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2014/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2014|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 1, 2021}}
| 98 |
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Australia|artist=J. Cole|title=She Knows|award=Platinum|certyear=2023|access-date=November 30, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=J. Cole|title=She Knows|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2013|certyear=2024|access-date=June 28, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=J. Cole feat. Amber Coffman & Cults|title=She Knows|award=Gold|id=13828|type=single|relyear=2013|certyear=2024|access-date=May 7, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=J Cole ft Amber Coffman/Cults|title=She Knows|award=Platinum|id=16428-5680-1|type=single|relyear=2013|certyear=2024|access-date=April 19, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{J. Cole songs}}
Category:Songs written by J. Cole
Category:Song recordings produced by J. Cole
Category:Columbia Records singles
{{2010s-hiphop-single-stub}}