"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
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
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
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
"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
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]
