Smoke & Retribution
by Flume (featuring Vince Staples)

Album: Skin (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This track features three verses by West Coast rapper Vince Staples. The collaboration came about because Flume was a big fan of Staples' major-label debut, Summertime '06.
  • Flume came up with the song's beat in the back of a van while traveling to Vegas in 2015. He recalled when premiering the song on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 show that it wasn't originally intended to have rap on it. "Vince and I got to meet in person for the first time in LA in September, and that's when I showed him the beat," he explained, "a few weeks later he sent back new verses for it. I was really happy, I love the tone of his voice."
  • Perth, Australia-based producer and singer Kucka croons the hook. Her hazy vocals were added once Vince Staples' rhymes had been inserted into the song.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

TV Theme Songs

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.