"Smack That" is a song by American rapper Akon from his second studio album
Konvicted. The song, which features a guest appearance from American rapper
Eminem, was written by Akon, Mike Strange, Luis Resto and Eminem, with the
latter also helming the song's production. The collaboration came after
the two artists meet during a recording session for a Shady Records artist. The
song received praise from contemporary music critics for being a great club
song. "Smack That" was released as the first
single from Konvicted on September 26, 2006. Commercially, the song reached
number one on ten record charts and peaked inside the top ten in nine,
including the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number two. It received
several gold and platinum certifications and sold over 3 million downloads in the
United States. The song earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung
Collaboration. Background and release
Akon met Eminem in 2006 during his recording sessions for Snitch with
rapper Obie Trice, a Shady Records signee at the time, and the two became
fast friends. Akon wanted him to be on "Smack That", but knew about Eminem's
qualms on being featured on too many songs. After receiving a call from the
rapper saying he was ready to go, Akon flew out to Detroit. On recording with
Eminem, Akon stated that it was "no different than working with any of the
other artists, really." "Smack That" was written, produced and
programmed by Eminem, with additional writing from Akon, Mike Strange and Luis
Resto. Strange and Resto also played the keyboards present on the track. Strange
worked with Tony Compana to record the song, which took place at 54 Sound in
Detroit, Michigan, where Strange also mixed the song with Eminem. "Smack That"
is an upbeat R&B and hip hop song that has been described as "a real summer
party song." "Smack That" was released worldwide for
digital distribution on September 25, 2006 and serviced to mainstream and
rhythmic crossover radio on October 12, 2006 in the United States. A two-track
version of the single, featuring "Senegal" as a b-side, was released to
internationally on October 9, 2006. That same day, an extended play containing
two extra songs – "Miss Melody" and "Senegal" – was released.
Critical reception "Smack That" garnered acclaim from
contemporary music critics, with many calling it a great club song. DJ Z of
DJBooth, in a review of the single, commended "Smack That" for showcasing
"Akon's ability to sound perfect over any tempo beat." In his review for the
album as a whole, DJ Z wrote that the song and "I Wanna Love You" display
Akon's skill during collaboration. Michael Enelman of Entertainment Weekly
lauded the collaboration with Eminem as the "liveliest." David Marchese of Spin
Magazine classified the single as "Played-out G-funk braggadocio and
bedroom boasting." Elysa Gardner of USA Today lauded it as "irresistibly slick."
A writer for The Manila Times deemed the song "deliriously energetic" while
claiming it has "all the ingredients of a masterful club banger."
Dan Raper of PopMatters had a mixed opinion about Eminem's feature, writing
that the lower register he adopts for his voice is "not totally successful",
but added that it "shows some innovation from the Old White Rapper." Ivan Rott
wrote a more negative review of the song, dismissing its production as
"prosaic" and its lyrics as "uninspired." He further added that the
song "holds no weight in comparison to current club tracks such as "Money
Maker," the bouncy collaboration between Ludacris and Pharrell, among others.
Expect "Smack That" to drop off the charts as fast as it popped up."
"Smack That" was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 2007
Grammy Awards, but lost to Justin Timberlake's My Love.
Chart performance In the United States, "Smack That"
debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 95 on the issue dated October 7, 2006.
One week later, the song jumped 88 spots to No. 7, aided by the its digital
download sales and rise in radio impression. The song earned the
distinction of achieving the highest jump on the Hot 100 chart at the time.
Three weeks later, aided by the strength of 91,500 downloads, the song climbed to
its peak position at number two, where it remained for five consecutive weeks,
barred from the top spot by Ludacris' "Money Maker", Justin Timberlake's "My
Love", and Akon's own single "I Wanna Love You". "Smack That" has sold over
3,227,000 downloads as of April 29, 2012, earning a triple-platinum
certification by the Recording Industry Association of America.
In Europe, "Smack That" experienced commercial success. In the United
Kingdom, the song debuted at number 12 on November 12, 2006 and rose to number
one in the following week. The single was successful in Belgium, topping the
chart in Wallonia and peaking at number three in the Flanders region. It was
later certified gold by the Belgian Entertainment Association. In Sweden,
the song debuted at number nine on October 12, 2006. Three weeks later, it
reached a peak of number 3, where it remained for three non-consecutive
weeks. "Smack That" earned a Platinum certification from the
Grammofonleverantörernas förening in 2007. The song peaked at number one in
Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Norway, and Slovakia.
"Smack That" entered the singles chart in Australia on November 13, 2006 at
number 5. The song fluctuated within the top ten for six weeks before reaching
its peak at number two, a position it held for three nonconsecutive weeks. The
single lasted 26 weeks on the chart and earned a platinum certification from the
Australian Recording Industry Association. In New Zealand, "Smack
That" debuted on the singles chart in New Zealand on November 20, 2006 at
number 2. The song held the position for two more weeks before falling to number
14 in its fourth week and 21 in its fifth week. The single got a second
wind, rising to number five in the following week. Two weeks later, "Smack
That" reached the chart's summit, where it remained for four nonconcsecutive
weeks. The song earned a gold certification from the Recorded Music
NZ. Music video
The song's music video is a short-clip remake of the movie 48 Hrs. Directed by
Benny Boom, it presents Akon as a convict in prison who is let out of jail
by a police officer, Jack Cates, who is looking for a witness. Akon is let out
for 24 hours to do anything he pleases as long as he can find the female
witness. He is given a photo of her and follows a lead he was given that the
witness is in a nightclub. While in the club, Akon meets up with fellow rapper
and his friend Eminem. Akon finds the female witness and escapes from the
nightclub without Jack Bates. This is the first video that features Eminem
with his then-new tattoo 'PROOF' on his left arm, which is dedicated to his
friend, DeShaun Dupree Holton who was murdered after he was shot by a bouncer
in an after hours spot. The video also features a cameo from Fat Joe, Lil Fizz
of B2K, Layzie Bone of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Nas and Kendra
Wilkinson. The music video was nominated for Best Earthshattering Collaboration
and Male Artist of the Year at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards. The video also
received three nominations for Best Male Artist, Best Hip Hop Video, and Best
Hook-Up at the 2007 MTV Australia Video Music Awards.
Track listings These are the formats and track listings
of major single releases of "Smack That".
Credits and personnel Locations
Recorded and mixed at 54 Sound in Detroit, Michigan
Personnel Akon – songwriting, vocals
Tony Compana – recording Eminem – songwriting, Production,
programming, Mixing Luis Resto – songwriting, keyboards
Mike Strange – songwriting, recording, mixing, keyboards
Charts and certifications Release history
References External links
Smack That music video Official Akon website
Akon at the Internet Movie Database Full lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics