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Smack That

"Smack That" is a song by Senegalese-American singer Akon featuring American rapper Eminem from the former's second studio album Konvicted (2006). Produced by Eminem, it was written by the artists alongside Mike Strange and Luis Resto. The collaboration came after the two artists met during a recording session for Shady Records rapper Obie Trice. The song received widespread acclaim from contemporary music critics for being a great club song.

"Smack That" was released as the first single from the sophomore Konvicted on September 26, 2006. Commercially, the song reached number one on 10 record charts and peaked inside the top 10 in nine, including the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number two. It received several gold and platinum certifications and sold over three million downloads in the United States. The song earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

In the year of 2006, Akon met Eminem during his recording sessions for Snitch with rapper Obie Trice, a Shady Records signee at the time, and the two quickly became friends. Akon wanted him to be on "Smack That", but knew about Eminem's claims on being featured on too many songs. After receiving a call from the rapper saying he was ready to go, Akon flew out to Detroit. On recording with Eminem, Akon stated "we felt that we could do a record that fit both our personalities and was a fun club record...it was no different than working with any of the other artists, really."

"Smack That" was written, produced and programmed by Eminem, with additional writing from Akon, Mike Strange and Luis Resto. Strange and Resto also played the keyboards present on the track. Strange worked with Tony Compana to record the song, which took place at 54 Sound in Detroit, Michigan, where Strange also mixed the song with Eminem.

"Smack That" was released worldwide for digital distribution on September 25, 2006, and serviced to mainstream and rhythmic crossover radio on October 12, 2006, in the United States. A two-track version of the single, featuring "Senegal" as a B-side, was released internationally on October 9, 2006. That same day, an extended play containing two extra songs – "Miss Melody" and "Senegal" – was released.

"Smack That" received critical acclaim. DJ Z of DJBooth, in a review of the single, commended "Smack That" for showcasing "Akon's ability to sound perfect over any tempo beat." In his review for the album as a whole, DJ Z wrote that the song and "I Wanna Love You" display Akon's skill during collaboration. Michael Enelman of Entertainment Weekly lauded the collaboration with Eminem as the "liveliest." David Marchese of Spin magazine classified the single as "Played-out G-funk braggadocio and bedroom boasting." Elysa Gardner of USA Today lauded it as "irresistibly slick." A writer for The Manila Times deemed the song "deliriously energetic" while claiming it has "all the ingredients of a masterful club banger."

Dan Raper of PopMatters had a mixed opinion about Eminem's feature, writing that the lower register he adopts for his voice is "not totally successful", but added that it "shows some innovation from the Old White Rapper." Ivan Rott wrote a more negative review of the song, dismissing its production as "prosaic" and its lyrics as "uninspired." He further added that the song "holds no weight in comparison to current club tracks such as "Money Maker," the bouncy collaboration between Ludacris and Pharrell, among others. Expect "Smack That" to drop off the charts as fast as it popped up."

"Smack That" was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 2007 Grammy Awards, but lost to Justin Timberlake's "My Love".

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