It just reminded me of being at home,” Smino said. But I noticed as I was making it that this shit sounds like my city. “The whole song, as I was making it, I wasn’t making it really about my city. Louis (expletive) give you Jason Voorhees or Jayson Tatum. As he wrote the song that would eventually be titled “L.M.F.” - short for Lion Mufasa - he needed a final line for the hook.
In 2017, he began working on his sophomore album, “Noir.” He needed a lead single, something fitting his playful yet profound style. His 2016 debut EP “Blkjuptr” generated significant hype, and his full-length premiere the following year, “Blkswn,” was a critical darling. Louis-born rapper Smino experienced this recently while on tour with producer Monte Booker, performing in places such as Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Australia for the first time. So when somebody make it out the city, bruh, the city rocks, period.” Over the next few years, Smino’s career took off. “You gotta recognize that we’re from a place where there’s not a lot of good shit coming out of the city,” Smino, who was born as Christopher Smith Jr., told The Athletic. To him, it was all a chilling reminder of how violence, oppression and systemic inequality fueled a spiraling trap in the city and helped shape his voice as an artist. Soon thereafter, Smino saw the first brick thrown by protesters at police, leading to the mass protests that were revived this month in the wake of George Floyd’s death. His new album, Noir, punches up the energy on his swinging love-fueled funk for a more revelatory party-starting atmosphere.Enlisting the help of friends and frequent collaborators Valee, Dreezy, Ravyn Lenae, and Bari, the album truly feels like a family affair.
Louis-bred rapper and singer found himself at a candlelight vigil for Mike Brown, who was shot dead in an incident with police officer Darren Wilson. We caught up with Smino ahead of his set at Afropunk, in the midst of shopping for a new fit in SoHo.Tagging along as Smino bounced from Acne to OFF-White to Stadium Goods, the singer explained the ins and outs of refurbished sneakers before absentmindedly wandering away or pausing to chat to a fan. Louis who caught a many hip-hop heads’ ears with his 2017 debut album, blkswan, which included dynamic tracks like Glass Flows (feat. By Brandon Sasserson, University of New Hampshire. The MC’s sophomore project, ‘NOIR,’ is brimming with promise. Born Christopher Smith Jr., Smino is the same. Louis Rapper Smino Is Officially One to Watch. Smino is not your regular rapper, but he might be your favorite. It was August 2014 in Ferguson, Mo., and the night after playing a show, the St. Smino Talks Outer Space, Soulja Boy, Braids And The Elements Of His Would-Be Biopic. The album includes guest appearances from Zero Fatigue members, Bari, Jay2, and Ravyn Lenae, as well as. Smino remembers seeing the first brick soar through the air. His second album, NIR, was released on November 8.