Smile? is the debut studio album by British rapper K-Trap. It was independently released through Thousand8, EGA Distro, and UMG on 31 May 2024.[1] The album features guest appearances from Blade Brown, Sharna Bass, Dré Six, D-Block Europe, Highlyy and Angel. It includes production from Da Beatfreakz, Carns Hill, M1OnTheBeat, and WhyJay, alongside several other producers.[2]
| Smile? | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 31 May 2024 | |||
| Length | 46:17 | |||
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| K-Trap chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Smile? | ||||
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Smile? was supported by five singles: "Heaven or Hell", "Old School Era", "Mobsters", "Victory Lap", and "Whistle".
Release and promotion
editK-Trap released the album's lead single, "Heaven or Hell" on 8 February 2024, alongside its official music video.[3][4] The album's second single, "Old School Era" was released on 18 April 2024,[5][6] alongside the album's official announcement.[7][8] "Mobsters", the album's third single featuring Blade Brown was released on May 2, 2024.[9][10] The album's fourth single, "Victory Lap" was released on 23 May 2024; the track premiered on GRM Daily as a highly anticipated "Daily Duppy".[11] Just a day later, on May 24, K-Trap had taken to his Instagram to release the album's tracklist before releasing the fifth and final single from the album, "Whistle", on May 30, just a day prior to the album's official release.
Following the album's release, K-Trap released the official music video for the album's fifteenth cut, "Whoosh".[12] The video premiered on the GRM Daily YouTube channel on 3 June 2024.[12]
Tour
editOn 18 April 2024, K-Trap announced his UK tour alongside the release of his album, a 5-date United Kingdom concert tour, in support of the album, beginning September 1, 2024, at SWG3 in Glasgow, and concluding on 10 September 2024, at Roundhouse in London.[13][14]
Composition
editSmile? consists of 19 standard songs and features 6 guest acts—the British rapper Blade Brown on the album's third single "Mobsters", Sharna Bass on the album's ninth cut, "Next To You", Dré Six on the album's tenth cut, "Thing For You, D-Block Europe on the album's fourteenth cut, "Rockstar in Designer", Highlyy on the album's sixteenth cut, "Different", and Angel on the album's seventeenth cut, "Let's Run Away". The album was written by K-Trap himself alongside featured artists and producers. On the album's intro and outro track, British radio DJ and presenter, Tiffany Calver delivers monologues that critics describe as "therapeutic".[2]
The album's title, Smile? alludes to "pleasure, amusement, good intentions and belonging".[15] On the album, K-Trap tackles the reality of his before-masked identity, noting that "with the mask on, I wouldn't be able to be the person I am now", alongside the struggles that come with being in the limelight and being a mainstream rapper in comparison to being underground.[15] The album's lyrics contain meta-references to K-Trap's personal life, particularly referring to his mental health and his "complex emotional well-being".[15] The album is described as a rebirth for the drill artist, showing K-Trap being "open and liberated" while breaking down what it means to be yourself.[16]
The lyricism on the album suggests that he has outgrown his drill roots, however, suggests that he wants to stay true to them while also showing newfound vulnerability in the album.[16]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| NME |   [17] |
| The Line of Best Fit | 8/10[18] |
| The Observer | [19] |
K-Trap's Smile? received positive reviews from critics. Writing for NME, Kyann-Sian Williams wrote that throughout the album, "he takes you on a journey" and "touches on pivotal topics in his life" while describing the production as "ethereal". Williams concluded her review by writing: "Now that K-Trap has evolved and stands as a luminary in his scene, ‘Smile?’ inspires those like him – and others – to gently move on from their past and see the bright side of life. It’s OK to smile once in a while, he tells us".[17] The Observer's Damien Morris wrote that "Perkins has always been brilliant at landing end syllables" while simultaneously "precisely conveying meaning". Morris wrote that there is "excellence" in K-Trap's storytelling ability while noting that his ability to boast about his extravagant lifestyle is "superb".[19]
Matt Sharp for The Line of Best Fit wrote that "the comparison between the high-life, and [K-Trap's] life left behind on the streets, is forever engaging". Sharp highlighted "Thing for You" as a highlight of the album, stating that the South London-born rapper "delivers an insightful discussion" regarding his past and present life. He stated that in the album's second half, "we reach the height of the honesty and openness" that allows Smile? to stand out in comparison to previous projects. Concluding his review, Sharp wrote that "we slowly unlock more of the person we are talking to", alluding to K-Trap's true identity while describing the album as "a hugely compelling body of work".[18] Writing for GRM Daily, Niall Smith described the album as "a brave, and oddly emotive record", stating that it cements K-Trap as "a standout spitter in rap’s pantheon".[2]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro" |
| Jester Beats | 0:48 |
| 2. | "Classic Day" |
|
| 2:51 |
| 3. | "Victory Lap" |
| Carns Hill | 2:00 |
| 4. | "Heaven or Hell" |
|
| 2:31 |
| 5. | "Messi" |
|
| 1:38 |
| 6. | "Mobsters" (with Blade Brown) |
|
| 2:19 |
| 7. | "Whistle" |
|
| 2:02 |
| 8. | "TBC" |
|
| 3:12 |
| 9. | "Next to You" (with Sharna Bass) |
| Sharna Bass | 2:12 |
| 10. | "Thing For You" (with Dré Six) |
|
| 3:18 |
| 11. | "Old School Era" |
|
| 2:15 |
| 12. | "Someone Familiar" |
|
| 1:55 |
| 13. | "Special" |
|
| 2:44 |
| 14. | "Rockstar in Designer" (with D-Block Europe) |
| Da Beatfreakz | 3:01 |
| 15. | "Whoosh" |
| LouisAura | 3:03 |
| 16. | "Different" (with Highlyy) |
| ATG | 3:14 |
| 17. | "Let's Run Away" (with Angel) |
| Angel | 3:14 |
| 18. | "Grown Decisions" |
|
| 2:56 |
| 19. | "Outro" |
| Jester Beats | 0:56 |
| Total length: | 46:17 | |||
Charts
edit| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Albums (OCC)[20] | 10 |
| UK R&B Albums (OCC)[21] | 1 |
References
edit- ^ Keith, James (31 May 2024). "K-Trap Launches Into A New Era With Debut Album 'Smile?'". Complex UK. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Smith, Niall (31 May 2024). "K-Trap - 'Smile?': a drill-coated character study of the unknown". GRM Daily. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara (9 February 2024). "K-Trap returns with the release of his latest single, "Heaven or Hell"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ Keith, James (8 February 2024). "K-Trap Toasts MOBOs Victory With Video For New Single "Heaven Or Hell"". Complex UK. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ Keith, James (19 April 2024). "K-Trap Announces Debut LP Smile? With "Old School Era" Music Video". Complex UK. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "K-Trap takes it back to the "Old School Era"". GRM Daily. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara (19 April 2024). "K-Trap announces his forthcoming debut album, "SMILE?"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ Murray, Robin (22 April 2024). "K-Trap Announces New Album Smile?". Clash. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ Murray, Robin (3 May 2024). "K-Trap, Blade Brown Connect On 'Mobsters'". Clash. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "K-Trap & Blade Brown reunite for new collaboration "Mobsters"". GRM Daily. 2 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "K-Trap steps up for his third Daily Duppy freestyle". GRM Daily. 23 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ a b "PREMIERE: K-Trap debuts new visuals for banger "Whoosh"". GRM Daily. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ "31st MAY / People see you not smiling and can be quick to tell you to smile without fully knowing your story.. / I don't give off much but I've put a lot into this album. It's not a sad story it's not a happy story but once you hear it you'll defo know more about my transition, my journey and who I am 🗜️ / Pre-Order my new Album SMILE? / (Link in Bio) / #SEEYOUONTOUR". Archived from the original on 31 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ "K-Trap UK Tour 2024 - Dates, Tickets & More". Capital Xtra. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ a b c Onapa, Emmanuel (14 May 2024). "Behind The Mask: K-Trap on revealing his true personality for the first time". Rolling Stone UK. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ a b Murray, Iana (5 March 2024). "This is not a drill: K-Trap is ditching his alter-egos". Dazed. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ a b Williams, Kyann-Sian (31 May 2024). "K-Trap – Smile? album review: drill pioneer makes an emotional breakthrough". NME. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ a b Sharp, Matt (31 May 2024). "K-Trap searches for his truth on debut album SMILE?". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ a b Morris, Damien (31 May 2024). "K-Trap: Smile? review – terse, punchy raps-to-riches flow". The Observer. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 June 2024.