Critics took issue with the song for a number of reasons, including what they believed to be Cole making excuses for himself.
Rolling Stones Charles Holmes suggested that the backlash Cole received was warranted, writing, "Cole makes a litany of excuses. Despite going to college, he suggests, he's not as deep or intellectual as everyone thinks he is. Being rich is actually hard, because he feels guilty that he's not doing enough with his wealth. Then the kicker arrives at the song's climax: 'If I could make one more suggestion respectfully / I would say it's more effective to treat people like children'. At 35 years old, J. Cole is upset that a woman didn't expend enough energy and sympathy to teach and critique him as if he were a child". Zoe Haylock of
Vulture echoed a similar sentiment, writing, "J. Cole's idea of being 'gentle' with Noname is spending the majority of 'Snow on Tha Bluff' making assumptions about her and excuses for himself. [...] Instead of just being up front about those insecurities, he spends over half of the song dragging an unnamed woman many assumed to be Noname." In a review for
Pitchfork, Alphonse Pierre sarcastically remarked, "Jermaine is only 35 years old. A boy. How could she have expected him to be as informed as she is? But he did it! He showed that meanie! After lashing out in the booth, I imagine Jermaine stuck his tongue out at her, before placing a Band-Aid—with cartoons—on his bruised ego." Many critics also took issue with the timing of the release of the song, with
GQs Julian Kimble writing that "[Cole] weaponizes male insecurity when there are literal lives at stake". Kimble added that, Cole's "big bro act" does not hold up on the song, noting how, in 2018, Cole took the "big bro" route before: "He had a sit-down with rapper
Lil Pump in 2018 after the up-and-comer took offense to what he perceived to be criticism from his more traditional peer. 'Snow on Tha Bluff', however, is a case of that conservatism turning
misogynistic." Lawrence Burney of
The Fader called the track "poorly-timed" and said, "Cole isn't a monster for admitting that he knows he can do more and that he actually isn't qualified [...], but releasing a song that takes passive-aggressive jabs at a woman in the middle of a racial struggle and during a week in which Black women's abuse and forced silence has been a pressing topic, he has shown at the very least that his ego has been prioritized over a fight that is much bigger than him." In a negative review, Miakel Wood of the
Los Angeles Times found the song to be "paternalistic and tin-eared" and said it falls short of the moment. Conversely, some critics praised the song's lyrics and production. Lars Brandle of
Billboard called the song a "lyrical dynamite", and further noted how Cole "
flows on social injustice, hardship and life in the ghettos, his words pouring over a dreamy production."
Rap-Up called the song "powerful." ==Other responses==