Crocodile Tearz

"Crocodile Tearz" is a song by American rapper J. Cole from his fourth mixtape Might Delete Later.

Background

J. Cole previewed the song in a social media vlog titled "Might Delete Later, Vol. 1" on February 21, 2024.

Composition and lyrics

"Crocodile Tearz" utilizes an "eerie Memphis-leaning beat" that has been described as reminiscent of the song "Knife Talk" by Drake featuring 21 Savage, as well as "mournful sonics" while J. Cole uses a direct tone in his lyrics, in which he emphasizes his status as among the best rappers in the modern hip-hop world. In addition, he takes subliminal shots at Future: "Yes, sir, it's me, not two, not three / The uno, G-O-A-T, I need my fee, fuck kudos / G4 at least, these flights ain't cheap as you know / They sound faded, they downgraded, they Pluto / I'm bigger than Mars, this nigga a star, I'm Bruno". Cole would nevertheless, go on to collaborate with Future and Metro Boomin's on their collaboration album, We Still Don't Trust You, featuring on the eighteenth track "Red Leather".

Critical reception

Paul A. Thompson of Pitchfork praised J. Cole's performance, describing him as "rapping through his teeth in a way that makes him sound more composed and more menacing than nearly ever before". Aron A. of HotNewHipHop stated that "Might Delete Later isn't a body of work that aims to do much else besides wreak lyrical tyranny on the rest of hip-hop and make it clear where he stands among the crowd", before writing "It's best summarized on 'Crocodile Tearz,' a fiery banger that's filled a cut-throat performance from Cole".