Who Want the Smoke?

"Who Want the Smoke?" is a song by American rapper Lil Yachty featuring Cardi B and Offset. It was released on July 6, 2018, as the lead single from Yachty's third studio album Nuthin' 2 Prove. The track peaked at number nine on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.

"Who Want the Smoke?"
Single by Lil Yachty featuring Cardi B and Offset
from the album Nuthin' 2 Prove
Released	July 6, 2018
Length	3:18
Label	Capitol Motown Quality Control
Songwriter(s)	Miles McCollum Belcalis Almanzar Kiari Cephus Brytavious Chambers
Producer(s)	Tay Keith
Lil Yachty singles chronology
"Ice Tray" (2017) "Who Want the Smoke?" (2018) "Go Krazy, Go Stupid Freestyle" (2019)

Background and release

The track was teased on March 29, 2018, by Lil Yachty. It was speculated that BlocBoy JB had a verse on the song, but he turned out only supplying the adlibs on the track.[1][2][3] Yachty announced the single the day before its release in the United States.[4] The track was released on July 5, 2018, in select international markets, and was released in the United States on July 6.[5][6][7]

Yachty previously collaborated with Offset on the tracks "Mickey", "Baby Daddy", and more, with the first two being tracks on Yachty's second studio album Lil Boat 2.

Production

The track was produced by Tay Keith.[8][9] He did a video for HotNewHipHop breaking down the beat, which was released on July 20, 2018.[10] Jackson Howard of Pitchfork called the instrumental "spooky and crisp".[11]

Composition and lyrics

The track runs at three minutes and eighteen seconds long, and features background vocals from BlocBoy JB.[12] In the song, Cardi B declares herself "the king of New York", allegedly directed at fellow New York rapper 6ix9ine.[13][14][15]

Critical reception

The track received mixed-to-positive reviews. Jackson Howard of Pitchfork said that the track "isn’t so much a flop as it is a wasted opportunity for a lost-in-the-woods Yachty to prove himself again" and called his verse and chorus "monotone" and "uninspired". He stated it as "a far cry from the irreverent melodies and charm that made him a burgeoning SoundCloud sensation in 2016, and further proof that his recent switch toward being a hard-hitting rhymeslinger needs serious fine tuning". However, he stated that the song was "saved by the brought-in assistance". He also called Cardi B's verse "one of her most memorable guest appearances in months", and called BlocBoy JB's adlibs "great".[11] Alex Robert Ross of Vice said that Cardi B and Offset "dominated proceedings" while Yachty "continues to misfire", and called him "the fifth-most important musician" on the track.[16] C. Vernon Coleman II of XXL called the song a "banger" and "trap-infused slapper".[17]

Commercial performance

The track debuted and peaked at number nine on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart, and fell off the next week. It did not re-enter the charts following the release of Yachty's third studio album Nuthin' 2 Prove, which the track was featured on.[18]

Charts

Chart (2018)	Peak position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[19]	22
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[20]	9

References

1. "Lil Yachty previews two new songs, one featuring BlocBoy JB". The Fader. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
2. "Preview Lil Yachty's Upcoming Track with Blocboy JB, "Who Want Da Smoke"". Hypebeast. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
3. "Lil Yachty Links Up With Cardi B and Offset on New Track "Who Want the Smoke?"". Complex. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
4. "Lil Yachty announces new song "Who Want The Smoke?" with Cardi B and Offset". The Fader. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
5. "Lil Yachty Teams Up With Cardi B & Offset for 'Who Want the Smoke?': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
6. "Lil Yachty, Cardi B & Offset Blaze Up in "Who Want the Smoke?"". Highsnobiety. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
7. "Lil Yachty Recruits Cardi B & Offset For "Who Want The Smoke?"". HipHopDX. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
8. "Cardi B and Offset Join Lil Yachty on "Who Want the Smoke?"". Exclaim. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
9. "Lil Yachty – "Who Want the Smoke?" (ft. Cardi B & Offset)". Spin. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
10. "Tay Keith Breaks Down Creating Lil Yachty's "Who Want The Smoke"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
11. ""Who Want the Smoke?" by Lil Yachty Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
12. "Hear Cardi B, Offset Join Lil Yachty on Takedown Song 'Who Want the Smoke?'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
13. "Cardi B and Offset join Lil Yachty on new song "Who Want the Smoke?": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
14. "Lil Yachty, Cardi B & Offset Connect for "Who Want the Smoke?"". Hypebeast. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
15. "Lil Yachty, Cardi B & Offset Are Asking "Who Want The Smoke?"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
16. "Cardi B and Offset Take the Spotlight on Lil Yachty's "Who Want the Smoke?"". Vice. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
17. "Lil Yachty, Cardi B and Offset Drop New Song "Who Want Smoke?"". XXL. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
18. "Lil Yachty Debuts 'Nuthin' 2 Prove' Album Featuring Juice WRLD, Cardi B, Kevin Gates". Billboard. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
19. "Hot Singles Chart | The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Retrieved June 9, 2020.
20. "Lil Yachty Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved June 9, 2020.