




Family is one of the most important values to a man, no matter what background he comes from. In Crooked Smile by J. Cole, it is very evident through the images displayed in the music video that family is a key element. Family is viewed from the perspective of a white DEA agent and the perspective of a black drug dealer and his young sister. There is little to no difference in the relationship between the older males and the young girls. They are both treated with love and affection. Therefore, the theme or motif shown in this music video is that family is vitally important no matter what background one is from.  

A particular screenshot that best describes this sense of family is about one minute into the music video. Described from the normal eye, this scene is plainly a father and her daughter enjoying breakfast together before a day of work or school. From the eye of foreshadowing it is the enjoyment of breakfast between a DEA agent and his daughter who is the same age as a girl who will be accidently and fatally shot under her father’s mission. However, from a deep analytical view this snapshot says a lot more. 

 In general, most would believe, emotionally that this is a positive and admirable shot. This screenshot is a medium shot. It is taken laterally, showing both the father and the daughter sitting across from each other at the table with a window behind. The importance of this being a medium shot is that it is very natural. This easily depicts a conversation and allows the reader to experience the intimacy of the dialogue which is lost in the long shot. It is very clear that the father is a good father and has a good relationship with his child in this still shot. Some of the things that prove this is that she is willing sitting with him early in the morning to start the day. This is almost unusual in today’s culture if one were to actually think about it. How many families sit at the table to enjoy breakfast when its early and everyone has somewhere to be? Another thing that makes this father-daughter bond evident is the bigger than life smile on the young girls face. This smile can tell the reader that she thinks she has the best dad on the planet. Just before this scene the two were making ridiculous faces at each other and laughing happily and lovingly. 

One interesting thing in this photo is the large pitcher of orange juice. The pitcher clearly seems to be sitting between them, however it also seems that maybe the girl is the only one drinking it. The young girl has a clear cup and it is evident that she is drinking orange juice. Now the first conclusion is that orange juice is a “happy drink.” It is a bright, exuberant color which in a way describes the young girl’s personality. Orange juice, as shown in this shot, is a table drink in which most people in the morning will share and enjoy. However, it is unclear that the father is drinking the orange juice. He has an opaque mug which most people would consider to be coffee, even though there is a large pitcher of orange juice on the table. But rather than the contents of what is in the cup, the importance of this opaque cups relates to if the father may be hiding something. There is a very small chance that the girl knows her father is going to lead an armed drug bust on a little girl’s birthday party. Not that this has any effect on the little girl or that she even needs to know, but the author of this video could be hinting at the father’s character, regardless of the exchanges between the two at the table.

Another striking thing in this shot is the background. One would expect the background of a positive exchange between a father and daughter to have a bright and content background. However, this background is very dark. The sun is trying to peak in through the window, but for whatever reason the blinds are down. This is interesting because even though the sun still may be shining in the room the faces of the individuals are very dark. This may be the author literally and figuratively “throwing shade” on the death of the father. A big theme of this music video is to end the war on drugs, specifically marijuana, and the father’s job exclusively deals with interfering with the selling of drugs. 

Even though this still shot is important to the whole video, it cannot explain the full importance of family. The reason the DEA agent is portrayed early in the video is because he is actually on the mission to bust the drug dealer in his home. Unfortunately, this has to happen during the family’s party with the young girl. The scene rapidly changes from light to dark which suggest something negative or unfavorable is going to happen. The young girl is accidently shot by one of the agents and it is evident that the act is very regretful. The camera becomes distant and all the colors get darker and more depressing. However, as the video begins to flash back on the young girl’s life all that is portrayed is lightness, goodness and purity. She is portrayed in the class room drawing innocent pictures while the light shines on her ever so brightly. On the other hand, surrounded by the darkness you can see the devastation on not only the brother’s face and body language, but also the DEA agent. It is very clear that he feels remorse because he knows how he would feel if this scenario were to happen to his daughter. Both of these men hold their families to very high importance in their lives and the elements in this video were able to clearly portray that message. 

This video is clearly made to condemn the war on drugs. Not only does it state this in the end, but the entirety of the video is meant to prove this message. The emphasis is placed heavily on the value of family, a value which most can relate too. This grabs the audience’s attention not only because its relatable but because it is repeated, which shows importance. It was also very wise by the author to build up this sentiment on the family and then have the young innocent child killed. This is a very persuasive tactic in getting the audience to agree with the artist’s idea. In conclusion, the author uses familiar elements as well and camera angles and contrasting colors to portray his message and the importance of family. 


