Smoke

Album: Animal Ambition (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This high-powered dance track finds guest vocalist Trey Songz comparing a smoking hot girl to an actual fire. 50, on the other hand, compares her to a narcotic drug. It is the first collaboration between the pair.
  • The song was produced by Dr. Dre and Dawaun Parker. 50 Cent parted ways with Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records after twelve years, and this collaboration demonstrates there's no hard feelings since the rapper went out on his own. "'Smoke' is one of my favorite records off Animal Ambition," the G-Unit leader said. "It was great to have Dr. Dre produce, and Trey added so much to the song."
  • Directed by Eif Rivera, the video features a voluptuous female cop on a mission to track down the missing 50 Cent. She discovers the rapper in the trunk of a car only for the clip to end with "To Be Continued."

    In an interview with The Breakfast Club, 50 said that he shot 13 videos for Animal Ambition.
  • Much of Animal Ambition was recorded in New York on the East Coast but 50 laid this cut down for the first time with Dre on the West Coast. He recalled to Digital Spy: "Initially I recorded it for Dre for his project Detox, but then I came back and listened to it again and I was like, 'Let me re-write or re-work it', because I wanted to see what it sounded like if I tried to write the song by myself."

    "A lot of times with Dre, everything they make is for him and he is keeping it (laughs), then the label starts to make us at war because we're both in the audio category," 50 added. "In reality the biggest record in my career Dre produced - 'In Da Club', man."
  • Asked about his collaboration with 50 Cent on "Smoke" by The Boombox just before Animal Ambition's release, Trey Song praised the G-Unit frontman for his business savvy and musical instinct. "50's smarter than a lot of people give him credit for," he said. "The actual 'Smoke' record was for [Dr. Dre]. I was in with Dre. We did about five or six records three years ago."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Weezer

WeezerFact or Fiction

Did Rivers Cuomo grow up on a commune? Why did they name their albums after colors? See how well you know your Weezer in this Fact or Fiction.

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go'sSongwriter Interviews

Charlotte was established in the LA punk scene when a freaky girl named Belinda approached her wearing a garbage bag.

Music Video Director David Hogan

Music Video Director David HoganSong Writing

David talks about videos he made for Prince, Alabama, Big & Rich, Sheryl Crow, DMB, Melissa Etheridge and Sisters of Mercy.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.