Who Want Smoke?? (feat. G Herbo, Lil Durk & 21 Savage)

"Who Want Smoke??" is an aggressive and confrontational anthem that serves as a raw display of dominance, power, and street credibility. The central theme revolves around the slang phrase "who want smoke," which is a direct challenge, asking who wants conflict, trouble, or a confrontation. The song's meaning is rooted in the artists' assertion of their toughness and readiness to engage in violence against any rivals or "opps" (opposition). Each verse, delivered by Nardo Wick, G Herbo, Lil Durk, and 21 Savage, is a testament to their hardened lifestyles, detailing violent acts, brandishing firearms, and issuing threats with unapologetic bravado. The lyrics are not just empty boasts; they are intended to project an image of authenticity and fearlessness within the context of gangsta rap, where reputation is paramount. The track serves as a warning to their enemies and a declaration to the world that they are formidable figures who will not back down from any challenge.

The song serves as an aggressive and confrontational anthem, a direct challenge to any and all adversaries. The narrative, while not linear, is a collection of vivid, menacing vignettes from the perspective of four artists deeply entrenched in street life. It begins with the central, repetitive question, "Who want smoke with me?" which is street vernacular for "Who wants trouble or conflict with me?". This hook establishes a defiant and fearless tone that permeates the entire track.

Nardo Wick's opening verse sets a grim and violent scene. He describes his constant state of readiness for conflict, casually mentioning he pumps gas with his gun out, ready for an altercation at any moment. He introduces a chilling counting rhyme, "One, two, three, four, kick your door, get on the floor," which transforms a childhood cadence into a home invasion threat. This numerical motif continues, escalating the body count and demonstrating a cold, calculated approach to violence. He uses dark humor and wordplay, such as suggesting his Draco (a type of firearm) might be gay because it's always "blowing" at men, to further illustrate his desensitization to the brutality he describes. The verse is a declaration of his dangerous persona and a warning to anyone who might underestimate him.

Lil Durk's verse builds on this foundation of intimidation. He addresses the online taunts he receives, specifically people goading him to retaliate for his late friend, King Von. He dismisses these as the words of trolls, while simultaneously affirming his real-world credibility and the loyalty of his crew. He portrays himself as a strategic and powerful figure who can orchestrate violence from a distance, contrasting the online chatter with his actual influence. His lyrics blend luxury with menace, a common trope in modern gangsta rap, showcasing a lifestyle where wealth and danger are inextricably linked.

21 Savage's contribution is characteristically cold and remorseless. He continues the counting theme, picking up where Nardo Wick left off and extending the list of violent acts. His delivery is calm and understated, which makes the graphic nature of his lyrics even more unsettling. He boasts about his ruthlessness and efficiency in dealing with enemies, using visceral imagery. His verse reinforces the song's overall theme of dominance, presenting himself as an apex predator in his environment. The lines are delivered with a chilling matter-of-factness that underscores a life lived in a constant state of conflict.

G Herbo closes out the track with a verse that is both chaotic and boastful. He also adopts the counting scheme, detailing his own violent encounters and his ability to evade law enforcement. His flow is energetic and aggressive, conveying a sense of pride in his survival and supremacy. He speaks of his wealth and success as direct results of his street credentials, legitimizing his position through a history of conflict. His verse is a final, emphatic statement that solidifies the song's message: the artists are not to be challenged, as they are fully prepared and willing to engage in and win any "smoke" that comes their way. The collective narrative is one of unwavering, brutal confidence and a stark depiction of street power dynamics.

The journey of "Who Want Smoke??" began with the original version, a solo track by Jacksonville, Florida rapper Nardo Wick, released on January 22, 2021. The song, produced by European producer Emkay, quickly gained traction due to its menacing beat and Wick's aggressive delivery. In an interview, Wick explained that the idea for the song came to him as soon as he heard the beat; there was no prior inspiration, it was just his immediate, raw reaction. The track first started gaining significant buzz in his hometown after it was leaked before its official release. Its popularity surged online, particularly on TikTok, where a stomping dance accompanying the song went viral.

Recognizing the song's growing momentum and millions of streams, Nardo Wick decided to create a remix with a lineup of established rap superstars. He recruited G Herbo, Lil Durk, and 21 Savage, all of whom he already had relationships with, which made the collaboration process easier. The official remix, titled with two question marks ("Who Want Smoke??"), was released on October 8, 2021. This star-studded version propelled the song to new heights, debuting at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. The accompanying music video, a high-production affair directed by Cole Bennett of Lyrical Lemonade, was released the same day and depicted a chaotic, war-zone-like environment, further amplifying the song's aggressive themes.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Who Want Smoke??" are central to its aggressive and captivating energy. The song is set to a hard-hitting, up-tempo trap beat that encourages its characteristic stomping rhythm. The rappers' flows are largely percussive, aligning closely with the beat's rhythmic structure. Nardo Wick, in particular, uses a distinctive start-stop flow with ad-libs and pauses that add emphasis and create a sense of unpredictability, as seen in lines like "What the fuck is... that?" This rhythmic break became one of the song's most recognizable hooks. The rhyme scheme is predominantly composed of couplets (AABB), which is common in hip-hop for its direct and impactful nature. The rhymes are often perfect or near-perfect, making the violent boasts and threats more memorable and punchy. For example, Wick rhymes "floor" with "door" and "face" with "eight." The interplay between the lyrical rhythm—the cadence of the rappers' voices—and the underlying musical rhythm creates a powerful, forward-driving momentum that makes the track feel both relentless and hypnotic.

The song's power is amplified by several stylistic techniques. Musically, it's built on a menacing, minimalist trap beat produced by Emkay, characterized by a heavy bass and a sinister melody that creates a tense atmosphere. The most notable musical element is the recurring, aggressive stomping sound, which Nardo Wick believes was a key factor in the track's popularity and its viral success on TikTok. The vocal delivery from all four artists is aggressive and confrontational, often delivered through what sounds like gritted teeth, enhancing the track's menacing feel. Lyrically, the song employs a strong narrative voice of hardened street figures. A key literary device is the use of a counting motif, initiated by Nardo Wick ("One, two, three, four...") and then picked up by 21 Savage and G Herbo in their verses. This technique subverts a childish rhyme scheme into a chilling tally of violent acts, creating a stark and unsettling contrast. The song is also packed with vivid, often graphic imagery and street slang, which grounds it in the gritty reality of the gangsta rap genre.

"Who Want Smoke??" had a significant cultural impact, primarily driven by its viral success on the social media platform TikTok. The song's menacing beat and the catchy "What the fuck is that?" ad-lib, paired with a stomping dance, became a widespread trend. The remix, featuring heavyweight rappers Lil Durk, G Herbo, and 21 Savage, amplified its reach exponentially. It debuted at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking a major mainstream breakthrough for Nardo Wick and making him the first artist since 2018 to have their first chart entry debut in the top 20. The song was certified platinum by the RIAA in November 2021. Its success cemented Nardo Wick's status as a rising star in the hip-hop scene. The track's influence also extended to other artists; for instance, Chris Brown interpolated the chorus in his 2024 diss track "Weakest Link." The song is a defining track of the early 2020s drill and trap scene, memorable for its raw energy and its perfect storm of street authenticity and social media virality.

The primary and most powerful piece of symbolism in the song is the titular phrase "smoke." In modern slang, "smoke" represents conflict, trouble, beef, or a grudge. To ask "Who want smoke?" is to metaphorically ask who is looking for a fight or a serious confrontation. This central metaphor frames the entire song as a challenge. The smoke also alludes to the smoke from a gun, directly linking the confrontation to gun violence. Nardo Wick uses a disturbing metaphor when he says, "I think my Draco might be gay 'cause he blowin' niggas," personifying his firearm and using a crude pun to describe its function in a detached, shocking manner. Another metaphor appears when Wick says he can "do magic, turn his whip into a basket," suggesting he will shoot a car so full of holes it resembles a woven basket, a grimly creative image of destruction.

The most significant recurring phrase is the song's title and chorus, "Who want smoke with me?" This question is repeated relentlessly, functioning as a taunting and defiant challenge that forms the song's core message. Another key recurring element is the ad-libbed phrase, "What the fuck is that?", which is punctuated by a heavy stomp in the beat. This phrase became a viral catchphrase, used by all the featured artists in their verses, creating a sense of unity and a signature moment in the track. A prominent lyrical motif is the use of counting rhymes to list violent acts. Nardo Wick begins with "One, two, three, four (Kick your door, get on the floor)," and this theme is later continued by 21 Savage ("Nine, ten, eleven, twelve... sixteen hollow tips they hit his face") and G Herbo ("Nine, ten, 'leven, twelve, no M, still ain't go to jail"), transforming a simple counting structure into a sinister narrative device that connects their verses thematically.