Smurk Carter
{{Short description|2023 single by Lil Durk and Only the Family}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Smurk Carter
| cover = Lil Durk & Only the Family - Smurk Carter.jpg
| type = single
| artist = Lil Durk and Only the Family
| album = Nightmares in the Trenches
| released = November 10, 2023
| recorded =
| genre = Hip Hop
| length = 3:37
| label =
| writer =
| producer = Chopsquad DJ
| chronology = Lil Durk
| prev_title = Big FU
| prev_year = 2023
| next_title = Vultures
| next_year = 2023
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Only the Family
| type = single
| prev_title = Pistol Tottin
| prev_year = 2021
| title = Smurk Carter
| year = 2023
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|OFlilpsRuMg|"Smurk Carter"}}}}
}}
"Smurk Carter" is a song by American rapper Lil Durk and his record label Only the Family. It was released through the label alongside Empire Distribution as the lead and only single from their collaborative compilation album, Nightmares in the Trenches, on November 10, 2023. Durk wrote the song with producer Chopsquad DJ and the official music video was released on the same day.
Background
A few days before the song was released, Lil Durk previewed it among other tracks at a Sirius XM + Pandora Playback event in Atlanta. According to Durk, the song was inspired by rappers Lil Wayne and Jay-Z.{{cite web |last1=A. |first1=Aron |title=Lil Durk Shares Release Date For Lil Wayne & Jay-Z-Inspired Single "Smurk Carter" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/732820-lil-durk-smurk-carter-cover-art-release-date |website=HotNewHipHop |access-date=23 November 2023 |date=November 8, 2023}} The title of the song references Wayne's surname, Carter, and cover art of the single features Lil Durk adorning Wayne's iconic face tattoos.{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=Sam |title=Lil Durk Channels 'The Carter II' Era Lil Wayne In 'Smurk Carter' Video |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/lil-durk-smurk-carter-lil-wayne |website=HipHopDX |access-date=23 November 2023 |date=November 10, 2023}}
Composition
The song opens with a speech about second chances in life from Robert Shipp, a Chicago man who was sentenced to life in prison for his alleged involvement in a drug conspiracy but reformed and was released after decades.{{cite web |last1=Powell |first1=Jon |title=Lil Durk takes it back to the streets in latest visual for "Smurk Carter" |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-11-13/337657/lil-durk-takes-it-back-to-the-streets-in-smurk-carter-video/ |website=Revolt |access-date=23 November 2023 |date=November 13, 2023}} It finds Lil Durk adopting a flow which is similar to that of Lil Wayne's classic style{{cite web |last1=Horvath |first1=Zachary |title=Lil Durk Adopts A Lil Wayne Flow On "Smurk Carter" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/733583-lil-durk-smurk-center-single |website=HotNewHipHop |access-date=23 November 2023 |date=November 10, 2023}} and rapping about street life.
Music video
An official music video was released alongside the single. Directed by Jerry Production, it begins with an appearance from Shipp, who delivers his monologue. The clip sees Lil Durk and his crew in different locations and contains numerous references to Lil Wayne's early career, mainly his "Hustler Musik" video, showing Durk wearing the same BAPE outfits and recreating several rooftop scenes. Other references include the video to Wayne's song "Tha Block Is Hot".
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Chart performance for "Smurk Carter" ! scope="col"| Chart (2023) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|95|artist=Lil Durk|rowheader=true|access-date=November 23, 2023}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|24|artist=Lil Durk|rowheader=true|access-date=November 23, 2023}} |