After the grand reveal of the rather moving visual for “Crooked Smile,” Director Sheldon Candis sat down with VIBE to discuss the meaning behind why rapper J.Cole chose such an inspiring idea to bring his message to life.

Since receiving great recognition from his latest film Luv, starring Common, Candis was approached by Cole and Roc Nation to create a powerful short film about the war on drugs in communities across the country. The storyline was inspired by the life of 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley Jones, who was gunned down in Detroit amidst a police raid.

“Recently, we’ve had people lose their lives, innocent individuals during police raids from petty drug deals,” says Candis. “I was on the phone with J. Cole and he was like, ‘Listen, I really want to play Aiyana’s older brother, so let’s create a narrative story between me as this individual who does deal drugs… but is still a human being and he’s so excited about spending the day with his little sister, but all the while the parallel is that there’s a DEA agent who, on this day, is going to raid his home and then what happens when something tragic occurs.”

Candis also praised the Born Sinner rapper for his poise and on-camera talents for being a new actor. “I’m very proud of him.” he says. “He gives a very conflicted performance and it’s all a very non-verbal, silent performance. He’s my Ryan Gosling.”