Will 2K

1999 single by Will Smith

"Will 2K"

Single by Will Smith featuring K-Ci
from the album  Willennium
Released| November 8, 1999 (1999-11-08)
Length| 3:53
Label| Columbia
Songwriter(s)|

* Will Smith
* Lennie Bennett
* Cedric Hailey
* Darren Henson
* Joe Strummer
* Mick Jones
* Paul Simonon
* Nicholas Headon
* Bobby Robinson

Producer(s)| Trackmasters
Will Smith singles chronology
| "Wild Wild West"
(1999)  | "Will 2K"
(1999)  | "Freakin' It"
(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][unreliable source] 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

[edit]

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

[edit]

* US 7-inch single[3]

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

* US 12-inch single[4]

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

* Australian CD single[5]

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

* UK CD1[6]

1. "Will 2K" (featuring K-Ci) – 3:56
2. "Just Cruisin'" – 3:59
3. "Miami" – 3:18

* UK CD2[7]

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

* UK cassette single and European CD single[8][9]

1. "Will 2K" (featuring K-Ci) – 3:56
2. "So Fresh" (featuring Biz Markie and Slick Rick) – 4:27

|

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

Weekly chart performance for "Will 2K"  | Chart (1999–2000)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[10] | 3
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[11] | 27
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[12] | 13
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[13] | 12
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[14] | 5
Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[15] | 4
Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS)[16] | 4
Denmark (IFPI)[17] | 10
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[18] | 8
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[19] | 10
France (SNEP)[20] | 32
Germany (GfK)[21] | 40
Hungary (Mahasz)[22] | 3
Ireland (IRMA)[23] | 12
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[24] | 8
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[25] | 11
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[26] | 6
Norway (VG-lista)[27] | 4
Scotland (OCC)[28] | 9
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[29] | 5
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[30] | 16
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[31] | 23
UK Singles (OCC)[32] | 2
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[33] | 1
US Billboard Hot 100[34] | 25
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[35] | 66
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[36] | 35
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[37] | 14

### Year-end charts

[edit]

Year-end chart performance for "Will 2K"  | Chart (1999)  | Position

|

Canada Top Singles (RPM)[38] | 100
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[39] | 88
UK Singles (OCC)[40] | 78
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[41] | 99
Chart (2000)  | Position

|

US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[42] | 92

## Certifications

[edit]

Certifications for "Will 2K"  Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[43] | Gold  | 35,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[44] | Gold  | 5,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[45] | Silver  | 200,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

[edit]

Release dates and formats for "Will 2K"  Region  | Date  | Format(s)  | Label(s)  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

United States  | October 19, 1999  |

* Contemporary hit
* urban radio

| Columbia | [46]
United Kingdom  | November 8, 1999  |

* CD
* cassette

| [47]
United States  | November 16, 1999  | 12-inch vinyl  | [48]
Japan  | January 26, 2000  | CD  | Sony | [49]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Will Smith feat. K-Ci's Will 2K sample of The Clash's Rock the Casbah". WhoSampled. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
2. ^ "Will Smith Featuring K-Ci - Will 2K". February 3, 2012. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2012 - via YouTube.
3. ^ Will 2K (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1999. 38-79286.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
4. ^ Will 2K (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1999. 44 79287.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
5. ^ Will 2K (Australian CD single liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1999. 668328 2.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
6. ^ Will 2K (UK CD1 liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1999. 668445 2.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
7. ^ Will 2K (UK CD2 liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1999. 668445 5.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
8. ^ Will 2K (UK cassette single sleeve). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1999. 6684454.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
9. ^ Will 2K (European CD single liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1999. COL 668179 1.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
10. ^ "Will Smith – Will 2K". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
11. ^ "Will Smith – Will 2K" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
12. ^ "Will Smith – Will 2K" (in French). Ultratop 50.
13. ^ "Will Smith Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
14. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 10000." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
15. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 9991." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
16. ^ "Canadian Top 20 in 1999" (PDF). Cross Canada Countdown. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 7, 2005. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
17. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 51\. December 18, 1999. p. 9. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
18. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 48\. November 27, 1999. p. 11. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
19. ^ "Will Smith: Will 2K" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
20. ^ "Will Smith – Will 2K" (in French). Le classement de singles.
21. ^ "Will Smith – Will 2K" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
22. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 50\. December 11, 1999. p. 9. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
23. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Will 2 K". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
24. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 48, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
25. ^ "Will Smith – Will 2K" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
26. ^ "Will Smith – Will 2K". Top 40 Singles.
27. ^ "Will Smith – Will 2K". VG-lista.
28. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
29. ^ "Will Smith – Will 2K" Canciones Top 50.
30. ^ "Will Smith – Will 2K". Singles Top 100.
31. ^ "Will Smith – Will 2K". Swiss Singles Chart.
32. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
33. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
34. ^ "Will Smith Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
35. ^ "Will Smith Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
36. ^ "Will Smith Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
37. ^ "Will Smith Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
38. ^ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Retrieved July 26, 2021 - via Library and Archives Canada.
39. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1999". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
40. ^ "Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100". Music Week. January 22, 2000. p. 27.
41. ^ "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52\. December 24, 1999. p. 53.
42. ^ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2000". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51\. December 22, 2000. p. 54.
43. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
44. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Will Smith – Will 2K". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
45. ^ "British single certifications – Will Smith – Will 2K". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
46. ^ "Going for Adds / AddVance Notice". Radio & Records. No. 1321\. October 15, 1999. pp. 132, 146.
47. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting 8 November, 1999: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. November 6, 1999. p. 31. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
48. ^ Pietroluongo, Silvio (October 30, 1999). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 44\. p. 77\. "A 12-inch vinyl configuration will hit retail on Nov. 16..."
49. ^ "ウィル・スミス" [Will Smith]. Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Archived from the original on March 21, 2006. Retrieved August 26, 2023.

* v
* t
* e

Will Smith

* Accolades
* Discography
* Filmography

Studio albums|

* Big Willie Style
* Willennium
* Born to Reign
* Lost and Found
* Based on a True Story

Compilation albums|

* Greatest Hits

Singles|

* "Men in Black"
* "Just Cruisin'"
* "Gettin' Jiggy wit It"
* "Just the Two of Us"
* "Miami"
* "Wild Wild West"
* "Will 2K"
* "Freakin' It"
* "Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head)"
* "Switch"
* "Party Starter"
* "Will (Remix)"
* "You Can Make It"

Featured singles|

* "Boy You Knock Me Out"
* "Live It Up"
* "Está Rico"

Other songs|

* "Friend Like Me"
* "Prince Ali"

Film screenplay only|

* After Earth (2013, also produced)

Films produced only|

* Saving Face (2004)
* Hitch (2005)
* ATL (2006)
* The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
* Hancock (2008)
* The Secret Life of Bees (2008)
* Lakeview Terrace (2008)
* Seven Pounds (2008)
* The Karate Kid (2010)
* This Means War (2012)
* Annie (2014)
* Bad Boys for Life (2020)
* King Richard (2021)
* Emancipation (2022)
* Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024)

Family|

* Jada Pinkett Smith
* Jaden Smith
* Willow Smith

Related|

* DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
* Westbrook
* Overbrook Entertainment
* Will Smith (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)
* Agent J
* Chris Rock–Will Smith slapping incident

* Category

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz work
* MusicBrainz release group

|

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