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She Knows (J. Cole song)

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"She Knows"
Single by J. Cole featuring Amber Coffman and Cults
from the album Born Sinner
ReleasedOctober 30, 2014
Recorded2014
GenreHip hop
Length4:57
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Jermaine Cole
  • Madeline McKenna
  • Ryan Mattos
Producer(s)J. Cole
J. Cole singles chronology
"Forbidden Fruit"
(2013) 		"She Knows"
(2014) 		"Apparently"
(2014)
Amber Coffman singles chronology
"Get Free"
(2012) 		"She Knows"
(2013) 		"All to Myself"
(2017)
Cults singles chronology
"High Road"
(2014) 		"She Knows"
(2014)
Audio sample
Music video
"She Knows" on YouTube

"She Knows" is a song by American rapper and record producer J. Cole, released on October 29, 2014, 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

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After his Grammy Awards nomination,[1] Cole revealed that he was working on another album with Kendrick Lamar,[2] 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.[3] The song is produced by J. Cole himself and samples Cults "Bad Things".[4]

Composition and lyrics

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The lyrics intend 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.[5]

Music video

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On February 14, 2014, the accompanying video for "She Knows" was released on Cole's Vevo channel.[6]

The video was filmed in South Los Angeles, including Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Middle School and Pink Motel.[7] The music video was directed by Sam Pilling. The music video included appearances from Harold Perrineau and Rochelle Aytes acting as the parents.[8] 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.[9]

Reception

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"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."[10] However, American magazine XXL named the song repetitive.[11]

Controversy

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Ten years after its release, "She Knows" trended on TikTok, being featured in 230,000 videos.[8] The trend later deviated from regular activities to accusing 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 was also addressed in the controversy, with allegations of her association with Diddy. 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).[12]

On September 30, 2024, the song was removed from YouTube amid controversy between SESAC and YouTube itself.[13][14]

Personnel

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Music

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  • J. Cole – producer[4]
  • Cults – sample producer[4]

Video

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  • Sam Pilling – director[8]
  • Harold Perrineau – actor[8]
  • Rochelle Aytes – actor[8]

Charts

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Weekly charts

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Chart (2014) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)[15] 68
US Billboard Hot 100[16] 90
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[17] 24
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[18] 10
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Lithuania (AGATA)[19] 47

Year-end charts

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Chart (2014) Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[20] 98

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[21] Platinum 70,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[22] Platinum 60,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[23] Gold 45,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[24] Platinum 600,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ "J. Cole – Grew Up Fast | HIPHOP2DAY". Hip Hop 2DAY. April 5, 2012. Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  2. ^ "Kendrick Lamar Says Word Of Mouth Helped Album Sales, Refers To Shyne As Being A "Good Dude"". HipHopDX. November 19, 2012. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  3. ^ Diep, Eric (December 21, 2016). "From Hometown Hero to Superstar Status: How High Can J. Cole Climb?". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "J. Cole "Born Sinner" Release Date, Cover Art, Tracklist & Spotify Stream". June 17, 2013.
  5. ^ "Makna Lagu She Knows oleh J Cole tentang Kisah Cinta Rumit". kumparan (in Indonesian). Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  6. ^ "J. Cole Gets Caught Cheating in New 'She Knows' Video". MTV. Archived from the original on September 4, 2014.
  7. ^ "J Cole ft Amber Coffman 'She Knows' by Sam Pilling | Videos".
  8. ^ a b c d e "From J. Cole's She Knows to TikTok's New Favourite Soundtrack—A Decade Later, the Game Changes Again". Neon Music. September 25, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  9. ^ "J. Cole Gets Caught Cheating in New 'She Knows' Video". MTV. Archived from the original on September 4, 2014.
  10. ^ Born Sinner - J. Cole | Album | AllMusic, retrieved October 10, 2024
  11. ^ nmbnmb (June 19, 2013). "J. Cole – 'Born Sinner' Album Review". XXL. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  12. ^ Art, Pop Culture & (September 30, 2024). "Fans react as J. Cole's 'She Knows' removed amid conspiracy: 'Doing this makes them look guilty'". The Express Tribune. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  13. ^ "Videos By Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, And More Pulled From YouTube Amid SESAC Dispute". Yahoo Entertainment. September 30, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  14. ^ "Why Did J. Cole's 'She Knows' Get Removed From YouTube?". UPROXX. September 30, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  15. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  16. ^ "J. Cole Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  17. ^ "J. Cole Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  18. ^ "J. Cole Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  19. ^ "2021 40-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  20. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  21. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  22. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – J. Cole – She Knows" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  23. ^ "Danish single certifications – J. Cole feat. Amber Coffman & Cults – She Knows". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  24. ^ "British single certifications – J Cole ft Amber Coffman/Cults – She Knows". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 19, 2024.


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