Smooth Lovin'
by Krept & Konan (featuring Popcaan)

Album: Young Kingz II (2024)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Smooth Lovin'" is a collaboration between Krept & Konan and Jamaican dancehall star Popcaan that oozes tropical charm and party vibes. Each artist takes their turn laying down verses about attraction, intimacy, and, naturally, a good time. Popcaan anchors it all with a chorus that urges his girl to lean into some "cool runnings" and of course the titular "smooth lovin'."
  • The track marks a reunion with P2J, the producer behind Krept & Konan's breezy 2019 collaboration with WizKid, "G-Love." "Smooth Lovin' had been simmering on the back burner for months.

    "We were like, 'We need to get the right person on this beat to match the vibe, man,'" Krept explained to NME, noting that they finally thought, "Popcaan will body this!"

    Popcaan showed up, caught the vibe instantly, and the rest is history.
  • Both Krept and Konan, as British-Jamaicans, hold strong ties to Jamaica. They're regularly collaborating with Jamaican music icons, from Spice on "First Time" to Beenie Man on the "Dat Way" remix. "It's more heritage. It's more roots," Konan explained. And for him, it's more than music -his father was Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer Delroy Wilson.
  • "Smooth Lovin'," dropped on October 31, 2024, is the first single from Krept & Konan's third album, Young Kingz II. The album title nods to their debut Young Kingz mixtape from 2013.
  • Young Kingz II was released independently through Krept & Konan's label Play Dirty. The reason? Their breakup with Virgin EMI, which, by all accounts, was a messy affair. In the five-year gap between their second album, Revenge is Sweet, and Young Kingz II, Krept & Konan wrestled with contractual challenges, changes in the label, and a general desire for freedom.

    Krept & Konan chose Young Kingz II as the title to mark their return to full creative control. Originally, Konan explained, it was meant to be called Last Card, as it was meant to close out their contract. "When you play a card game like Blackjack and you play your last card, you're the winner," Konan said. But when they finally gained their independence, they realized it was more than a "last card." Young Kingz II is an affirmation - they're back and they're still kings.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

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.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.

Commercials

CommercialsFact or Fiction

Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream?

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.