Reason to Smile
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Reason to Smile
| type = studio
| artist = Kojey Radical
| cover = Kojey Radical - Reason to Smile.png
| alt = A Black man in a yellow suit levitating above a puddle on the gray ground.
| released = 4 March 2022
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 52:20
| label =
| producer =
| prev_title = Cashmere Tears
| prev_year = 2019
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Reason to Smile
| type = studio
| single1 = War Outside
| single1date = 23 September 2021
| single2 = Gangsta
| single2date = 15 November 2021
| single3 = Payback
| single3date = 15 January 2022
| single4 = Silk
| single4date = 18 February 2022
}}
}}
Reason to Smile is the debut studio album by British rapper Kojey Radical, released 4 March 2022 by Asylum Records and Atlantic Records.{{Cite news |last=Grice |first=Alisdair |title=Kojey Radical – Reason to Smile review |work=DIY |url=https://diymag.com/2022/03/04/kojey-radical-reason-to-smile-album-review |access-date=26 July 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Kadish |date=13 March 2022 |title=Kojey Radical: Reason to Smile review – an era-defining Black British work |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/mar/13/reason-to-smile-kojey-radical-debut-album |access-date=26 July 2022}} It was shortlisted for the 2022 Mercury Prize and nominated for Album of the Year at the 2022 MOBO Awards.
Background
The album was preceded by four singles: "War Outside" released 23 September 2021;{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Niall |date=23 September 2021 |title=Kojey Radical Enlists Lex Amor for Battle-Ready Jam "War Outside" |work=Complex |url=https://www.complex.com/music/kojey-radical-war-outside-feat-lex-amor |access-date=26 July 2022}} "Gangsta" released 15 November;{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Niall |date=15 November 2021 |title=Kojey Radical's "Gangsta" Is an Ode to the Special Women in His Life |work=Complex |url=https://www.complex.com/music/kojey-radical-new-single-gangsta |access-date=26 July 2022}} "Payback" released 15 January 2022;{{Cite news |last=Keith |first=James |date=15 January 2022 |title=Kojey Radical Calls on Knucks for New Album Primer "Payback" |work=Complex |url=https://www.complex.com/music/kojey-radical-payback-feat-knucks |access-date=26 July 2022}} and "Silk" released 18 February.{{Cite news |last=Kenneally |first=Cerys |date=18 February 2022 |title=Kojey Radical teams up with Masego on new single "Silk" |work=The Line of Best Fit |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/kojey-radical-teams-up-with-masego-on-new-single-silk |access-date=26 July 2022}} The first three came along with music videos while "Silk" received an official visualiser. Another video for "Talkin" released 9 March, featuring animated versions of Radical and the song's guests Tiana Major9 and Kelis.{{Cite news |last=Cho |first=Regina |date=March 9, 2022 |title=Kojey Radical, Kelis, and Tiana Major9 are "Talkin'" in new visual |work=Revolt |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2022-03-09/156269/kojey-radical-talkin-video/ |access-date=September 8, 2022}}
Reception
{{Album ratings
| title = Reason to Smile ratings
| rev1 = Clash
| rev1score = 8/10{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Niall |date=4 March 2022 |title=Kojey Radical – Reason to Smile |work=Clash |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/kojey-radical-reason-to-smile/ |access-date=26 July 2022}}
| rev2 = DIY
| rev2score = {{rating|4.5|5}}
| rev3 = Financial Times
| rev3score = {{rating|4|5}}{{Cite news |last=Hunter-Tilney |first=Ludovic |date=11 March 2022 |title=Kojey Radical's Reason to Smile — a family affair |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/3ccee0ea-df61-4322-ba47-237e8f9c186e |access-date=26 July 2022}}
| rev4 = The Guardian
| rev5 = The Line of Best Fit
| rev5score = 8/10{{Cite news |last=Ferrier |first=Aimee |date=10 March 2022 |title=Kojey Radical's debut Reason to Smile drips with infectious confidence and celebration |work=The Line of Best Fit |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/kojey-radical-reason-to-smile-album-review |access-date=26 July 2022}}
| rev6 = Loud and Quiet
| rev6score = 9/10{{Cite news |last=Goggins |first=Joe |date=28 February 2022 |title=Kojey Radical – Reason to Smile |work=Loud and Quiet |url=https://www.loudandquiet.com/reviews/kojey-radical-reason-to-smile/ |access-date=26 July 2022}}
| rev7 = NME
| rev7score = {{rating|4|5}}{{Cite news |last=Williams |first=Kyann-Sian |date=4 March 2022 |title=Kojey Radical – Reason to Smile review: UK rap's Renaissance man comes good |work=NME |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/kojey-radical-reason-to-smile-3172208 |access-date=26 July 2022}}
| noprose = yes
}}
{{Metacritic album prose|Reason to Smile|positive|81|7}} "Payback" was included at number 9 on BBC Music{{'}}s list of the best songs of the year.{{Cite news |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=December 30, 2022 |title=From Rosalía to Beyoncé: 25 of the best songs released in 2022 |work=BBC Music |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-64124718 |access-date=December 31, 2022}}
= Accolades =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Reason to Smile awards |
| scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Organisation ! scope="col" | Award ! scope="col" | Status ! scope="col" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| scope="row" rowspan="3" | 2022
| {{n/a}} | {{sho}} |
| GRM Daily Rated Awards
| Album of the Year | {{nom}} |
| MOBO Awards
| Album of the Year | {{nom}} | {{Cite news |last=Rackham |first=Annabel |date=11 November 2022 |title=MOBOs 2022: Rapper and producer Knucks leads nominations |work=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/health-63597263 |access-date=December 3, 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Waters |first=Lowenna |date=December 2, 2022 |title=MOBO Awards 2022: Full winners list including Little Simz and Ezra Collective |work=Evening Standard |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/mobo-awards-2022-winners-list-little-simz-ezra-collective-craig-david-b1044088.html |access-date=December 3, 2022}} |
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Reason to Smile year-end lists |
| scope="col" | Publication
! scope="col" | {{tooltip|#|Placement}} ! scope="col" | {{tooltip|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| scope="row" | Clash
| 22 |
| scope="row" | Double J
| 22 |
| scope="row" | NME
| 35 |
| scope="row" | PopMatters
| 33 |
Track listing
{{Track listing
| total_length = 52:20
| headline = Reason to Smile track listing
| extra_column = Producers
| all_writing = Kwadwo Adu Genfi Amponsah with others noted
| title1 = Reason to Smile
| note1 = featuring Tiana Major9
| writer1 = {{hlist|Cameron Palmer|Eight9FLY|Kwame "KZ" Kwei-Armah Jr.|Tiana Major9|Tyrell Paul}}
| extra1 = {{hlist|Cameron Palmer|KZ|Tyrell Paul 169|Venna}}
| length1 = 3:04
| title2 = Together
| writer2 = {{hlist|Palmer|Emmavie|KZ|Maverick Sabre|Mbongo|Äyanna}}
| extra2 = {{hlist|Palmer|KZ}}
| length2 = 3:04
| title3 = Nappy
| writer3 = {{hlist|KZ|Oliver Rodigan}}
| extra3 = {{hlist|Cadenza|KZ|Ric & Thadus|Palmer{{efn|name=fn1}}}}
| length3 = 2:16
| title4 = Silk
| note4 = featuring Masego
| writer4 = {{hlist|David Mrakpor|Masego|Namali Kwaten}}
| extra4 = {{hlist|Blue Lab Beats|Palmer{{efn|name=fn1}}}}
| length4 = 3:58
| title5 = Pressure
| note5 = featuring Shaé Universe
| writer5 = {{hlist|Palmer|Emil Larbi|O. Koleoso|Shaé Universe}}
| extra5 = {{hlist|Palmer|Larbi}}
| length5 = 3:54
| title6 = Born
| note6 = featuring Cashh
| writer6 = {{hlist|Cashh|KZ|Rayan El-Hussein Rayo Goufar}}
| extra6 = {{hlist|KZ|Palmer{{efn|name=fn1}}}}
| length6 = 3:27
| title7 = Pusher Man: BWI
| writer7 = {{hlist|Adrian Francis|Curtis Antony James|Larbi}}
| extra7 = {{hlist|Francis|Fanatix|Larbi|Palmer{{efn|name=fn1}}|KZ{{efn|name=fn1}}}}
| length7 = 4:51
| title8 = Talkin
| note8 = featuring Kelis and Tiana Major9
| writer8 = {{hlist|Palmer|Kelis|KZ|Tiana Major9}}
| extra8 = {{hlist|Palmer|KZ}}
| length8 = 2:57
| title9 = War Outside
| note9 = featuring Lex Amor
| writer9 = {{hlist|Palmer|KZ|Lex Amor}}
| extra9 = {{hlist|Palmer|KZ}}
| length9 = 3:57
| title10 = Payback
| note10 = featuring Knucks
| writer10 = {{hlist|Palmer|Knucks}}
| extra10 = {{hlist|Palmer}}
| length10 = 2:45
| title11 = Fubu
| writer11 = {{hlist|Jay Weathers|Karriem Riggins|KZ}}
| extra11 = {{hlist|Weathers|KZ|Remedee|Palmer{{efn|name=fn1}}}}
| length11 = 3:05
| title12 = Beautiful
| note12 = featuring Wretch 32 and Shakka
| writer12 = {{hlist|Ayodele Oyadare|Shakka|Wretch 32}}
| extra12 = {{hlist|Oyadare|Palmer{{efn|name=fn1}}|KZ{{efn|name=fn1}}}}
| length12 = 3:20
| title13 = Anywhere
| note13 = featuring Ego Ella May
| writer13 = {{hlist|Palmer|May|Owen Cutts}}
| extra13 = {{hlist|Palmer|Cutts|KZ{{efn|name=fn1}}}}
| length13 = 3:05
| title14 = Solo
| note14 = featuring Rexx Life Raj
| writer14 = {{hlist|Jazon Kawu-Eugenio|Rexx Life Raj}}
| extra14 = {{hlist|Jay Prince}}
| length14 = 4:00
| title15 = Gangsta
| writer15 = {{hlist|Ed Thomas|Weathers}}
| extra15 = {{hlist|Palmer|Thomas|Weathers|KZ}}
| length15 = 4:37
}}
{{notelist|refs=
{{efn|name=fn1|Additional producer}}}}
Personnel
= Musicians =
{{columns-start}}
- Kojey Radical – vocals
- Cameron Palmer – synth bass (2, 5, 10), piano (5, 8), keyboards (10, 13), organ (8), synthesizer (8), Rhodes solo (8), guitar (10), Wurlitzer (11)
- Kwame "KZ" Kwei-Armah Jr. – additional vocals (1, 3, 6, 10), synthesizer (2, 13), piano (1), Rhodes solo (2), piano (7), bass (8), guitar (8), synth bass (9), whistling (9)
- Tiana Major9 – vocals (1, 8)
- Masego – vocals (4)
- Shaé Universe – vocals (5)
- Cashh – vocals (6)
- Kelis – vocals (8)
- Lex Amor – vocals (9)
- Knucks – vocals (10)
- Shakka – vocals (12)
- Wretch 32 – vocals (12), additional vocals (8)
- Ego Ella May – vocals (13), additional vocals (9)
- Rexx Life Raj – vocals (14)
- Ayanna Christie Brown – additional vocals (2, 10)
- Emmavie – additional vocals (2, 10)
- Michael Stafford – additional vocals (2, 10)
{{column}}
- Christina Matovu – additional vocals (4, 7, 12, 15)
- Mundu – additional vocals (4, 14)
- Bobii Lewis – additional vocals (6)
- Benjamin Totten – guitar (1, 11)
- David Mrakpor – guitar, keyboards, synth bass (4)
- Rashaan Brown – guitar (6)
- Greg Mathews – guitar (8)
- Femi Koleoso – drums (1, 5)
- Namali Kwaten – drums, percussion (4)
- Dayna Fisher – bass guitar (6, 7, 11, 15), trombone (1)
- Neil Waters – trumpet (1–4, 10, 15), flugelhorn (4, 5, 11)
- Trevor Mires – trombone (2–4, 6–8, 10, 13, 15), sousaphone (7, 10), bass trombone (13)
- Charlie Stock and Stella Page – viola (1, 2, 4, 6–8, 12, 13, 15)
- Ezme Gaze and Wayne Urquhart – cello (1, 2, 4, 6–8, 12, 13, 15)
- Antonia Pagulatos, Emma Blanco, Marsha Skins, and Sam Kennedy – violin (1, 2, 4, 6–8, 12, 13, 15)
- Nathan "Flutebox" Lee – flute (2)
- Mike Keys – keyboards (9), piano, synth bass (13)
- Ed Thomas – piano (15)
{{columns-end}}
= Technical =
- Cameron Palmer – engineering (1, 2, 5, 7–10, 13, 15), drum programming (2, 5, 9, 10, 13)
- Kwame "KZ" Kwei-Armah Jr. – executive producer, engineering (1, 2, 6–9, 11–15), drum programming (6, 8, 9), vocal arrangements (13)
- Swindle – executive producer
- Stuart Hawkes – mastering engineer (1–9, 11–14)
- Joker – mixing engineer (1–8, 10–14)
- Neil Waters – string arrangements (1, 2, 4, 6–8, 12, 13, 15)
- Namali Kwaten – drum programming (4), sound design (4)
- Blue Lab Beats – engineering (4)
- Jay Weathers – drum programming (15)
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Chart performance for Reason to Smile ! scope="col"| Chart (2022) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| {{album chart|UK2|11|date=20220317|rowheader=true|access-date=26 July 2022}} |
| {{album chart|UKR&B|1|date=20220317|rowheader=true|access-date=30 July 2022}} |