BlkSwn - A 314 album with a Chitown influence
My first encounter with Smino came on a leak that dropped not long after Chance the Rapper released Coloring Book. That song was Living Single which Big Sean revealed was supposed to be used for his album but he then released as a promotional single for his then upcoming album I decided. The song had a soulful feel, Jeremih on the hook, and Chance and Sean dropping quality bars. Then there was a name that I did not recognize but knew I would hear about soon enough. That name was Smino. Smino came in with a flavor and swagger that's been unmatched since 3stacks and Sleepy Brown last collaborated. His performance made me want to hear more so I looked him up and came across his blkjptr project and from the first listen the titular track became one I'd find myself playing on repeat for hours before changing the song. So when I found out Smino was dropping his debut album I was more than hype, try ecstatic on for size. With that said let's dive right into it.
Smino starts the album off with Wild Irish Roses whose ethereal instrumental while paired with his laid back flow and delivery which leaves you feeling intoxicated. The beat puts you into a deep trance until Smino comes through like a burst of energy and wakes you up. This is a great way to open the album and sets the tone throughout.
Then comes Maraca where he utilizes a rapid double time flow and wordplay that’s as slick as a can of oil. His charisma and energy are as infectious as they come.
Glass Flows follows after which features the talent of Ravyn Lenae where they trade verses using an array of cadences and flows. The title itself is a play on words which comes more apparent in the chorus. The beat is one of a kind. It's one of the few where the songs key modulates or changes pitch.
Flea Flicka comes along and is gone as quick as it comes. Featuring his label mate Bari they use slick wordplay and smooth flows over a beat that feels like a modern twist on ragtime. Soon as Bari ends Smino comes in with a rapid flow that feels endless.
Next up is Spitshine which begins with what feels like a Pharrell inspired sing-song delivery and turns into a tantalizing display of tongue twisting rhymes and cadences that dance and glide all over the beat.
Netflix and Dussé comes next and those who heard the leaked version of Living Single will recognize his opening verse as the same verse Sean removed and replaced on the official released version of Living Single.
Then there's Anita which was previously released as a promotional single where the smooth production helps set the tone for the second half of the album which is a lot more mellow. But this change doesn't drag the album at all.
Lobby Kall sounds like if you took someone from St. Louis who stays in Chicago and put them in New Orleans. The production has a Dixie swing type of feel. This isn't a bad thing due to the fact that it helps push his vocals and butter smooth delivery to the forefront.
Edgar Allan Poe'd Up is one of my favorites. It's one you can roll one or pour one (depending on your preference) and just lay back listening to. The way the production contrast with his flow and delivery makes for one heck of a listen. The feature by the MIND is just as good as Smino’s offerings on the track.
Father Son Holy Smoke is a portmanteau of the Holy Trinity and the popular phrase holy smoke. This song was released as a promotional single a few days before the album dropped. The chill production paired with his rushed flow and urgent delivery makes for a listening experience like none other. The name alone let's you know you're in for a treat the second you press play.
B Role is one of the more interesting listens. The first few seconds of the beat give you the feeling this will lean more towards a banger compared to the songs before it. With the production giving a more aggressive sound and his rapid double time flow Smino plays towards his strengths and pushes them to his limits. The delivery of the chorus reminds me of Prince. That's not a bad thing though. It's bound to catch your ear.
Blkoscars features Jay2. Based off the name you'd think it'd be a hard hitting banger not saying that none of the previous songs bang because they're all good. The song ends up being the opposite of what you'd think it'd be. The production, like those before it make for a cohesive sound throughout the project. If this isn't one of the smoothest rap albums I've ever heard then I just don't know what smooth is.
Blkswn is the titular track of the album and with one listen you can see why. It's like the black swan of all the songs on the album. The beat is sort of hypnotic almost entrancing. With slick lines like "Me no speak no ingles Country country my lingo" this is one you'll be bound to press rewind on more than once.
Long Run features the talents of Via Rosa whose voice makes for a beautiful harmony when paired with Smino and his melodic flow.
This is one of the more autobiographical tracks as he talks a little about where he grew up. The chorus which states "you were sposed to be there for me in the long run" is something we all can relate to.
Innamission is just what it says. Longer than an interlude but shorter than your average track it serves it's purpose. The way Smino switches flows and changes cadences is one of his biggest strengths and its definitely apparent on this track. The beat is one that is bound to have you tapping your feet if you're not already out of your seat.
Silk Pillows finds Smino employing the talents of Akenya. The track is one that you will find yourself playing over and over due to lines like "let's oochie wally in a Maserati". The harmonies on every track are clean but these are some of the most interesting I've heard yet.
Ricky Millions comes right before the closer track Amphetamine. It finds Smino using autotune, giving his view on society while smoothly interpolating My Boo by Ghost Town DJ's which saw a resurgence in popularity due to the running man challenge. The track features Drea Smith whose delivery is just as smooth as Smino. I'd keep an eye out for her as well.
Finally we've reached the end of the album! I know I'm not the only one who's sad our ride is slowly coming to an end am I? With Amphetamine things are not what they seem to be. At first listen everything is smooth and soft almost even gentle from everything to the bass guitar in the background. Halfway through the track everything you thought you knew is thrown out the window and a more aggressive sounding funk beat drops and the tone of the track switches. Smino spits with a urgent delivery and from there Bari comes back into the fold to do the chorus which you'll find stuck in your head for hours (consider this your warning). Jean Deaux comes right in with her verse. After which the chorus comes back in and goes right back out as swiftly as it re-emerged and Smino delivers a spoken word verse followed by a stellar verse from Chicago's own Noname.
Smino's BlkSwn is the product of taking a proud child of St. Louis and placing them in Chicago. The album has that signature soulful Chicago sound but with a Southern twist. No one can pull off successfully blending two different sounds quite like Smino. Seeing as this is just the debut album I can't wait to see what he does on his next project. Make sure to keep an eye out for him.
Smino starts the album off with Wild Irish Roses whose ethereal instrumental while paired with his laid back flow and delivery which leaves you feeling intoxicated. The beat puts you into a deep trance until Smino comes through like a burst of energy and wakes you up. This is a great way to open the album and sets the tone throughout.
Then comes Maraca where he utilizes a rapid double time flow and wordplay that’s as slick as a can of oil. His charisma and energy are as infectious as they come.
Glass Flows follows after which features the talent of Ravyn Lenae where they trade verses using an array of cadences and flows. The title itself is a play on words which comes more apparent in the chorus. The beat is one of a kind. It's one of the few where the songs key modulates or changes pitch.
Flea Flicka comes along and is gone as quick as it comes. Featuring his label mate Bari they use slick wordplay and smooth flows over a beat that feels like a modern twist on ragtime. Soon as Bari ends Smino comes in with a rapid flow that feels endless.
Next up is Spitshine which begins with what feels like a Pharrell inspired sing-song delivery and turns into a tantalizing display of tongue twisting rhymes and cadences that dance and glide all over the beat.
Netflix and Dussé comes next and those who heard the leaked version of Living Single will recognize his opening verse as the same verse Sean removed and replaced on the official released version of Living Single.
Then there's Anita which was previously released as a promotional single where the smooth production helps set the tone for the second half of the album which is a lot more mellow. But this change doesn't drag the album at all.
Lobby Kall sounds like if you took someone from St. Louis who stays in Chicago and put them in New Orleans. The production has a Dixie swing type of feel. This isn't a bad thing due to the fact that it helps push his vocals and butter smooth delivery to the forefront.
Edgar Allan Poe'd Up is one of my favorites. It's one you can roll one or pour one (depending on your preference) and just lay back listening to. The way the production contrast with his flow and delivery makes for one heck of a listen. The feature by the MIND is just as good as Smino’s offerings on the track.
Father Son Holy Smoke is a portmanteau of the Holy Trinity and the popular phrase holy smoke. This song was released as a promotional single a few days before the album dropped. The chill production paired with his rushed flow and urgent delivery makes for a listening experience like none other. The name alone let's you know you're in for a treat the second you press play.
B Role is one of the more interesting listens. The first few seconds of the beat give you the feeling this will lean more towards a banger compared to the songs before it. With the production giving a more aggressive sound and his rapid double time flow Smino plays towards his strengths and pushes them to his limits. The delivery of the chorus reminds me of Prince. That's not a bad thing though. It's bound to catch your ear.
Blkoscars features Jay2. Based off the name you'd think it'd be a hard hitting banger not saying that none of the previous songs bang because they're all good. The song ends up being the opposite of what you'd think it'd be. The production, like those before it make for a cohesive sound throughout the project. If this isn't one of the smoothest rap albums I've ever heard then I just don't know what smooth is.
Blkswn is the titular track of the album and with one listen you can see why. It's like the black swan of all the songs on the album. The beat is sort of hypnotic almost entrancing. With slick lines like "Me no speak no ingles Country country my lingo" this is one you'll be bound to press rewind on more than once.
Long Run features the talents of Via Rosa whose voice makes for a beautiful harmony when paired with Smino and his melodic flow.
This is one of the more autobiographical tracks as he talks a little about where he grew up. The chorus which states "you were sposed to be there for me in the long run" is something we all can relate to.
Innamission is just what it says. Longer than an interlude but shorter than your average track it serves it's purpose. The way Smino switches flows and changes cadences is one of his biggest strengths and its definitely apparent on this track. The beat is one that is bound to have you tapping your feet if you're not already out of your seat.
Silk Pillows finds Smino employing the talents of Akenya. The track is one that you will find yourself playing over and over due to lines like "let's oochie wally in a Maserati". The harmonies on every track are clean but these are some of the most interesting I've heard yet.
Ricky Millions comes right before the closer track Amphetamine. It finds Smino using autotune, giving his view on society while smoothly interpolating My Boo by Ghost Town DJ's which saw a resurgence in popularity due to the running man challenge. The track features Drea Smith whose delivery is just as smooth as Smino. I'd keep an eye out for her as well.
Finally we've reached the end of the album! I know I'm not the only one who's sad our ride is slowly coming to an end am I? With Amphetamine things are not what they seem to be. At first listen everything is smooth and soft almost even gentle from everything to the bass guitar in the background. Halfway through the track everything you thought you knew is thrown out the window and a more aggressive sounding funk beat drops and the tone of the track switches. Smino spits with a urgent delivery and from there Bari comes back into the fold to do the chorus which you'll find stuck in your head for hours (consider this your warning). Jean Deaux comes right in with her verse. After which the chorus comes back in and goes right back out as swiftly as it re-emerged and Smino delivers a spoken word verse followed by a stellar verse from Chicago's own Noname.
Smino's BlkSwn is the product of taking a proud child of St. Louis and placing them in Chicago. The album has that signature soulful Chicago sound but with a Southern twist. No one can pull off successfully blending two different sounds quite like Smino. Seeing as this is just the debut album I can't wait to see what he does on his next project. Make sure to keep an eye out for him.
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