Will 2K Explained

Will 2K
Cover:Will2K.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Will Smith featuring K-Ci
Album:Willennium
Length:3:53
Label:Columbia
Producer:Trackmasters
Chronology:Will Smith
Prev Title:Wild Wild West
Prev Year:1999
Next Title:Freakin' It
Next Year:2000

"Will 2K" is the second single taken from American rapper Will Smith's second studio album, Willennium (1999). The single was released on November 8, 1999. Sampling instruments and lyrics from the chorus of the Clash's "Rock the Casbah," as well as bits from "Superslapin'" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five,[1] the song was co-written by Smith and produced by Trackmasters. The song features vocals from K-Ci. "Will 2K" peaked at number two in the United Kingdom and pays homage to the new millennium.

Music video

The music video for "Will 2K" premiered in September 1999, at a total length of five minutes and two seconds. The video features Smith performing the song in a variety of settings, appearing in a series of musical eras and wearing costumes that reflect each epoch. DJ Jazzy Jeff, K-Ci, Eve, Tisha Campbell-Martin and then-husband Duane Martin, among others, make cameos in the video.[2]

Track listings

A. "Will 2K" (featuring K-Ci) – 3:56

B. "Will 2K" (instrumental featuring K-Ci) – 3:56

  1. "Will 2K" (album version featuring K-Ci) – 3:56
  2. "Will 2K" (instrumental featuring K-Ci) – 3:56
  3. "Will 2K" (a cappella featuring K-Ci) – 3:56
  1. "Will 2K" (featuring K-Ci) – 3:56
  2. "So Fresh" (featuring Biz Markie and Slick Rick) – 4:27
  3. "Just Cruisin'" – 4:11
  4. "Miami" – 3:19
  1. "Will 2K" (featuring K-Ci) – 3:56
  2. "Just Cruisin'" – 3:59
  3. "Miami" – 3:18
  1. "Will 2K" (featuring K-Ci) – 3:56
  2. "So Fresh" (featuring Biz Markie and Slick Rick) – 4:27
  3. "Just the Two of Us" (Rodney Jerkins Remix featuring Brian McKnight) – 4:14
  1. "Will 2K" (featuring K-Ci) – 3:56
  2. "So Fresh" (featuring Biz Markie and Slick Rick) – 4:27

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1999–2000)!scope="col"
Peak
position
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[10] 12
Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS)[11] 4
Denmark (IFPI)[12] 10
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[13] 8
Hungary (Mahasz)[14] 3

Year-end charts

Chart (1999)!scope="col"
Position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[15] 100
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[16] 88
UK Singles (OCC)[17] 78
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[18] 99

Release history

Region!scope="col"
DateFormat(s)Label(s)
United StatesOctober 19, 1999Columbia[20]
United KingdomNovember 8, 1999[21]
United StatesNovember 16, 199912-inch vinyl[22]
JapanJanuary 26, 2000CDSony[23]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Will Smith feat. K-Ci's Will 2K sample of The Clash's Rock the Casbah . WhoSampled . September 7, 2012.
  2. Web site: Will Smith Featuring K-Ci - Will 2K. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/VT_GG7q3vhs. December 15, 2021. live. YouTube. February 3, 2012. February 8, 2012.
  3. Will 2K. Will Smith. 1999. US 7-inch single vinyl disc. Columbia Records. 38-79286.
  4. Will 2K. Will Smith. 1999. US 12-inch single vinyl disc. Columbia Records. 44 79287.
  5. Will 2K. Will Smith. 1999. Australian CD single liner notes. Columbia Records. 668328 2.
  6. Will 2K. Will Smith. 1999. UK CD1 liner notes. Columbia Records. 668445 2.
  7. Will 2K. Will Smith. 1999. UK CD2 liner notes. Columbia Records. 668445 5.
  8. Will 2K. Will Smith. 1999. UK cassette single sleeve. Columbia Records. 6684454.
  9. Will 2K. Will Smith. 1999. European CD single liner notes. Columbia Records. COL 668179 1.
  10. Will Smith Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs). Billboard. September 22, 2023.
  11. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20050407221908/http://www.crosscanadacountdown.com/pdfs/1999.pdf. April 7, 2005. Canadian Top 20 in 1999. Cross Canada Countdown. November 13, 2023.
  12. Top National Sellers. Music & Media. 16. 51. 9. December 18, 1999. July 26, 2021.
  13. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 16. 48. 11. November 27, 1999. July 26, 2021.
  14. Top National Sellers. Music & Media. 16. 50. 9. December 11, 1999. July 26, 2021.
  15. RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. July 26, 2021.
  16. Web site: Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1999. Dutch Top 40. March 12, 2020.
  17. Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100. Music Week. 27. January 22, 2000.
  18. Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 1999. Airplay Monitor. 7. 52. 53. December 24, 1999.
  19. Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2000. Airplay Monitor. 8. 51. 54. December 22, 2000.
  20. Going for Adds / AddVance Notice. Radio & Records. 1321. 132, 146. October 15, 1999.
  21. New Releases – For Week Starting 8 November, 1999: Singles. Music Week. 31. November 6, 1999. July 26, 2021.
  22. Hot 100 Singles Spotlight. Pietroluongo. Silvio. Billboard. 111. 44. 77. October 30, 1999. A 12-inch vinyl configuration will hit retail on Nov. 16....
  23. Web site: ウィル・スミス. Will Smith. Sony Music Entertainment Japan. https://web.archive.org/web/20060321220937/http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/International/Arch/SR/WillSmith/. March 21, 2006. August 26, 2023.

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