music.wikisort.org - Poet

Christopher Bjorn Smith Jr. (born October 2, 1991),[2] better known by his stage name Smino, is an American rapper and singer. Smino is the founder of the musical collective Zero Fatigue with Bari, Monte Booker, Jay2, and Ravyn Lenae.[3] He is a member of the hip-hop supergroup Zoink Gang, with JID, Buddy and Guapdad 4000.[4] He is also one third of the supergroup Ghetto Sage, with Saba and Noname.[5] Smino is signed to Downtown Records and Interscope.

Smino
Smith performing in 2016
Background information
Birth name	Christopher Bjorn Smith Jr.
Also known as	C. Smi, Smeezy
Born	(1991-10-02) October 2, 1991 (age 31) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Education	Columbia College Chicago
Genres	Hip hop neo soul R&B electro-funk[1]
Occupation(s)	Rapper singer songwriter record producer
Years active	2009–present
Labels	Zero Fatigue Motown EQT
Member of	Zero Fatigue Zoink Gang Ghetto Sage
Website	smitransfer.com/

Smino initially gained local recognition in 2012 where he released a mixtape called Smeezy Dot Com, and a collaboration mixtape with Bari called Retail. In 2015, he released two EPs: S!Ck S!Ck S!Ck and blkjuptr.[6] His debut studio album blkswn was released to critical acclaim on March 14, 2017.[7] His second studio album, NØIR, was released on November 8, 2018.[8] His third studio album, Luv 4 Rent was released on October 28, 2022.

Early life

Christopher Smith Jr. was born into a musical family in St. Louis, Missouri: his father played keys, his mother sang, and his grandfather played bass guitar for Blues Hall of Fame musician Muddy Waters. Both his father and grandfather were given opportunities to take their music far, but they gave up their success to be with their families. When he was seven, his father gave him a set of drums, which he played in his church's band, and also began singing. He later moved to Chicago, Illinois for college under the wing of his older cousin, singer Drea Smith.[9][10]

Musical career

2009–2015: Career beginnings and various projects

Between 2009 and 2013, Smino went by the stage name C. Smi, and was in a rap duo with his friend Bari Allen called "Young Dumb and Outta Control" (YDOC), where they released three mixtapes including Retail. As they started to gain popularity locally, Smino released his first solo mixtape, Smeezy Dot Com in 2012 and moved back to Chicago.[9] At Columbia College Chicago, he met engineer Chris "Classick" Inumerable, who became his manager.[11][12]

On October 2, 2015, Smino released his first EP, S!Ck S!Ck S!Ck.[13][14] On December 11, 2015, he released his second EP titled Blkjuptr.[15]

2016–2017: blkswn

On July 31, 2016, Smino appeared on Noname's mixtape, Telefone, with Saba and Phoelix on the track "Shadow Man".[16] In the fall of 2016, Smino was alongside Mick Jenkins on the A Quest For Love Tour. On October 27, he made another guest appearance on Bucket List Project on the song "World in My Hands".[17]

On December 2, 2016, Smino released the title track to serve as the first single from his debut album, blkswn, which was released on March 14, 2017. The release date holds a special significance to Smino because 314 is the area code of his hometown. The album includes guest appearances from Ravyn Lenae, Bari, Noname, theMIND, Jay2, Via Rosa, Drea Smith, and Akenya, with production coming from Monte Booker, THEMpeople, Sango, Phoelix, and J. Bird.[18]

Following the album's release, he headlined in his month-long Swanita Tour, which included 22 dates with guests Monte Booker, Jay2, Bari, and Jean Deaux.[19] On July 6, it was announced that Smino and Ravyn Lenae will be opening for SZA on The CTRL Tour.[20] He later released music videos for "Anita", "Netflix & Dusse", and "Wild Irish Roses". During October, he was opening act for T-Pain on his Acoustic Tour, who appeared on the remix for "Anita".[21][22]

2018–2019: NØIR

In April 2018, he and Monte Booker co-headlined the Kouple Drillz Tour which included shows in Asia and Australia.[23] On May 17, he released a single called "New Coupe, Who Dis?" featuring Mick Jenkins.[24] He also appeared on some of his frequent collaborative producers tracks, Cam O'Bi on "TenderHeaded", Phoelix on "Taranphoeno", and Sango on "Khlorine".[25] On July 9, he released a remix to Drake's "In My Feelings", and a track called "Coupe Se' Yern" produced by himself.[26]

On October 26, 2018, Smino released a single titled "L.M.F." produced by Sango, accompanied by a music video.[27] Smino released the album's second single titled "Klink" on November 4, announcing it via an Instagram post.[28] His second album, NØIR, was released on November 8.[29] The album includes guest appearances from Zero Fatigue members, Bari, Jay2, and Ravyn Lenae, as well as Dreezy, and Valee. The production came from himself, Monte Booker, THEMpeople, Sango, Phoelix, KRS, Al B Smoov, and Da-P.[30] In 2019, Smino announced the Hoopti Tour, which included 33 shows in England, the United States, and Canada.[31] Supporting acts for the tour will be EarthGang and Phoelix.[32] On April 3, 2019, Smino released the music video for "Z4L", directed by Ev Solomon and produced by AJR Films, with clips of backstage footage on tour.[33]

Following the success of NØIR, Smino was invited to participate in the recording sessions for Revenge of the Dreamers III, an collaborative album released by Dreamville Records in July 2019. On the original release of the album, he was featured on "1993", "Sacrifices", and "Oh Wow...Swerve" as a member of Zoink Gang. When the album's Director's Cut edition was released, Smino was featured on two additional tracks: "Spin Move" and "Passcode". In August 2019, Smino appeared with Saba, Earthgang, and J. Cole in the music video for "Sacrifices", which has amassed almost 20 million views as of March 2021.[34][35]

2019–2020: She Already Decided and collaborations

On October 17, 2019, he announced the supergroup Ghetto Sage with Saba and Noname, releasing a single titled "Häagen Dazs".[36] On October 25, he released the single "Trina", produced by Kenny Beats and Lido.[37] On December 23, he released a two-song EP titled High 4 Da Highladays. Throughout the year, he colloborated with many artists such as Chance the Rapper, Cousin Stizz, SiR, and Doja Cat.[38]

In February 2020, Smino announced the completion of his third studio album. On March 14, he released the song "Tempo" produced by VZN.[39] On April 20, 2020, Smino released the mixtape She Already Decided, which includes guest appearances from Sevyn Streeter, T-Pain, Bari, and Rizz Capolatti. Production on the mixtape came from Groove, Kal Banx, VZN, and Phoelix among others.[40] In August 2020, Smino was featured on the soundtrack to the Madden NFL 21 game, on the song "Backstage Pass", alongside Monte Booker and The Drums.[41] Smino made further collaborations in 2020 appearing on songs with JID, Ari Lennox, and Thundercat.

2021–present: Luv 4 Rent

On January 18, 2021, Smino released the song "MLK Dr" in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.[42] On May 18, Smino released the single "Rice & Gravy" with Monte Booker.[43] The single was also performed on Colors Studio on May 24.[44] He appeared on guest verses throughout 2021 including "Claymore" by Isaiah Rashad, "Right Track" by Syd and "Louie Bag" by Yebba. On November 11, Smino released the single "I Deserve" featuring NOS.[45] On November 16, Smino announced he signed a new record deal with Motown in partnership with his independent label Zero Fatigue.[46]

On December 7, 2021, Smino debuted a series with Issa Rae Productions on YouTube Originals titled What Say What?!.[47] On the first episode, he announced the title of his third studio album, Luv 4 Rent, while performing "I Deserve" and an unreleased song called "Black Luv Ain't Dead".[48]

On September 30, 2022, he released the first official single from the album, "90 Proof" with J. Cole.[49] On October 21, he released the second single, "Matinee", while also revealing the album's tracklist.[50][51] Luv 4 Rent was released on October 28, 2022. The album includes guest appearances from J. Cole, Doechii, Fatman Scoop, Cruza, Lucky Daye, Phoelix, Cory Henry, Ravyn Lenae, Lil Uzi Vert and Reggie.[52]

Personal life

In January 2021, Smino found out that he is related to Florida rapper Denzel Curry through the discovery of a shared uncle.[53]

Artistry

Smino describes his sound as futuristic funk and soulful rap. He grew up listening to a lot of jazz, gospel, and hip hop, including Busta Rhymes, Ludacris, Nelly, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and Field Mob. Smino names rappers Kanye West, André 3000 and Lil Wayne as his biggest musical influences, as well as his cousin, Drea Smith.[54] In an interview with Pitchfork he stated, "I grew up in the church, so it was a bunch of gospel along with Musiq Soulchild, Em, T-Pain—just a bunch of soulful dudes that are country. My first favorite rapper was Ludacris."[13]

Scott Glaysher of Exclaim! described his music is a "mix of smart rapping and crowd-pleasing, futuristic R&B grooves."[55] Jay Balfour from Pitchfork said he focuses "on his incredibly versatile voice within a warm palette of sludgy R&B and neo-funk" and "throws a million different voices into the mix."[56] Rolling Stone said "his rap makes room for southern R&B and imperfect harmony singing; the drums are inevitably cooled out, like nth-wave neo soul."[57]

Other ventures

Zero Fatigue

Smino is a founder and part of a musical collective and record label called Zero Fatigue with Monte Booker, Jay2, Bari, Ravyn Lenae, Elton "L10MixedIt" Chueng, Chris "Classick" Innumerable, and Nosidam. The collective's origins began when Smino met Classick at Columbia College Chicago, who owned a recording studio in his house in Chicago and later became his manager. Interning for Classick, engineer and mixer L10MixedIt Chueng met Smino in that studio where they began working together.[58] Unofficial members and affiliates of the collective include Jean Deaux, Drea Smith, Phoelix, & JayBaby TheGreaty.[59]

Kribmas

Kribmas is an annual Christmas concert and fundraising event hosted by Smino in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, which began in 2016. Ymani Wince wrote about the event saying, "Kribmas is more than just Smino's homecoming weekend; the rapper's team employs local photographers, videographers, stylists, businesses and artists to put each element of the show together."[60]

Fashion

On April 5, 2018, Smino unveiled his design of satin-lined hoodies called "Silk Pillows", named after his song of the same name. After it went viral on the internet, he explained the design addresses the problem of waking up with messy or damaged hair.[61][62][63]

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, with album details and selected chart positions

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions
		US [64]
blkswn	Released: March 14, 2017 Label: Zero Fatigue, Downtown Format: CD, digital download, vinyl	—
Noir	Released: November 8, 2018 Label: Zero Fatigue, Downtown, Interscope Format: CD, digital download, vinyl	191
Luv 4 Rent	Released: October 28, 2022 Label: Zero Fatigue, Motown Format: CD, digital download, vinyl	50

Extended plays

Title	Details
S!Ck S!Ck S!Ck	Released: October 2, 2015 Label: Zero Fatigue Format: Digital download
blkjuptr	Released: December 11, 2015 Label: Zero Fatigue Format: Digital download
4sport	Released: July 9, 2018[65] Format: Digital download
High 4 Da Highladays	Released: December 23, 2019[66] Label: Zero Fatigue, Downtown, Interscope Format: Digital download

Mixtapes

Title	Album details
Smeezy Dot Com	Released: April 25, 2012 Format: Digital download
She Already Decided	Released: April 20, 2020 Format: Digital download

Collaborations

Title	Album details
A Thousand Miles & Jumpin (with Bari Allen)	Released: November 4, 2009 Format: Digital download
Pardon the Interruption (with Bari Allen)	Released: January 5, 2010 Format: Digital download
Retail (with Bari Allen)	Released: June 15, 2013 Format: Digital download

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with showing year released and album name

Title	Year	Album
"blkjuptr"[67]	2016	blkjuptr
"Oxygen"[67]
"blkswn"[68]		blkswn
"Anita"[68]	2017
"Anita (Remix)"[69] (featuring T-Pain)		Non-album single
"Netflix & Dusse"[68]		blkswn
"Wild Irish Roses"[68]	2018
"L.M.F."[27]		NØIR
"Klink"[28]
"Z4L" (featuring Bari & Jay2)	2019
"Reverend"[70]		Non-album single
"Trina"
"Tempo"[71]	2020
"Baguetti"[72] (with JID & Kenny Beats)
"Backstage Pass"[73] (with Monte Booker and The Drums)		Madden NFL 21
"MLK Dr"	2021	Non-album single
"Rice & Gravy" (with Monte Booker)
"I Deserve" (featuring NOS.)
"90 Proof" (with J. Cole)	2022	Luv 4 Rent
"Matinee"

As featured artist

List of singles as a featured artist, showing year released and album name

Title	Year	Album
"Kolors"[74] (Monte Booker featuring Smino)	2016	Soulection White Label - Monte Booker
"World in My Hands"[75] (Saba featuring Smino & LEGIT)		Bucket List Project
"TenderHeaded"[25] (Cam O'bi featuring Smino)	2018	Grown Ass Kid
"TROOP"[76] (tobi lou featuring Smino)		Non-album single
"Khlorine"[77] (Sango featuring Smino)		In The Comfort Of
"Bad Boys"[78] (Pivot Gang featuring Saba, Joseph Chilliams, MfnMelo & Smino)	2019	You Can't Sit With Us
"Homegirl"[79] (Leven Kali featuring Smino & Topaz Jones)		HIGHTIDE
"Dragonball Durag (Remix)"[80] (Thundercat featuring Smino & Guapdad 4000)	2020	It Is What It Is
"BET Uncut"[81] (MadeinTYO featuring Chance the Rapper & Smino)		Never Forgotten
"So.Incredible.pkg"[82] (Denzel Curry and Robert Glasper featuring Smino)	2021	Unlocked 1.5
"Louie Bag" (Yebba featuring Smino)		Dawn
"Right Track" (Syd featuring Smino)		Broken Hearts Club
"Avalance" (reggie featuring Smino)		TBA
"2 seater" (Tiana Major9 featuring Smino)	2022	Fool Me Once

Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name

Title	Year	Other artist(s)	Album
"Touch The Ceiling"	2012	Bari Allen	YDOC
"Money Man"[83]	2015	NAPALM	Life as a Bachelor
"Money Like a Pastor"[84]		Gdot Markee, Corban Josiah	Chicken Money
"Don't Kall My Name"[85]		Jean Deaux	Non-album single
"XYZ"[86]	2016	Jean Deaux	Non-album single
"Shadow Man"[87]		Noname, Saba, Phoelix	Telefone
"No Cape"[88]		Sean Deaux	Vice City 2
"Kompany"[89]	2017	Monte Booker, Phoelix	Non-album single
"Spice (Remix)"		Ravyn Lenae	Non-album single
"The Run Around"[90]	2018	Ambi Lyrics	Study Hall
"Taranphoeno"[91]		Phoelix, Jean Deaux	TEMPO
"Intrigue"[92]		Bari Allen	The Prefix
"Ace"[93]		Noname, Saba	Room 25
"Exhale"[94]		Kemba	Gilda
"Blood on My Hands"[95]	2019	August 8	Happy Endings with an Asterisk
"1993"[96]		Buddy, Cozz, EarthGang, JID, J. Cole	Revenge of the Dreamers III
"Sacrifices"[96]		EarthGang, J. Cole, Saba
"Dork"[97]		Jay2	4 Tha Wait
"Eternal"[98]		Chance the Rapper	The Big Day
"Anonymous"[99]		Cousin Stizz	Trying to Find My Next Thrill
"LA Lisa"[100]		SiR	Chasing Summer
"Rap City"[101]		femdot.	94 Camry Music
"Won't Bite"[102]		Doja Cat	Hot Pink
"Spin Move"[103]	2020	Bas, Saba, The Hics	Revenge of the Dreamers III: Director's Cut
"Passcode"[103]		Ari Lennox, Buddy, Mez, Guapdad 4000
"I Been (Remix)"[104]		Ari Lennox	Shea Butter Baby (Remix EP)
"Gimme The Wheel"[105]		Alina Baraz	It Was Divine
"gucci slides"[106]		Ambré	Pulp (Director's Cut)
"Plead The .45th"[107]	2021	Saba	Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album
"Claymore"		Isaiah Rashad	The House Is Burning
"Mo' Liquor"		Kari Faux	Lowkey Superstar
"Scenic Drive"		Khalid, Ari Lennox	Scenic Drive
"Still"	2022	Saba, 6lack	Few Good Things
"God Body"		Lucky Daye	Candydrip
"3D"		Ravyn Lenae	Hypnos
"Can't Get Over You"		Westside Boogie, Teezo Touchdown	More Black Superheroes
"Ambeyoncé"		EarthGang	Ghetto Gods (Deluxe)

Production discography

2012

Chris Smith Jr - Smeezy Dot Com

• 01. "Solar"
• 02. "Smeezy Dot Com"
• 03. "Who is Dude"
• 04. "Kill"
• 05. "Yves Saint Louis"
• 06. "Tha Man"
• 07. "Sara Lee (Interlude)"
• 08. "Juicin'"
• 09. "Overdose"
• 10. "Heaven on Mars"
• 11. "Bombay" (with Bari Allen)

2013

Chris Smith Jr & Bari Allen - Retail

• 01. "Clientle"
• 02. "The Spekulation"
• 03. "Werk"
• 04. "Mind Bleed"
• 05. "Uza Nigga"
• 06. "Slow Burn"
• 07. "Wett"
• 08. "Vanity"
• 09. "Purgatory"
• 10. "No Limit (Interlude)"
• 11. "Flawless P"
• 12. "Sweet Jesus"
• 13. "Goin Krazy"
• 14. "The Growth"

2018

Smino - 4sport

• 02. "coupe se' yern"

Smino - New Coupe, Who Dis? - Single

• 00. "New Coupe, Who Dis?" (featuring Mick Jenkins)

Bari - The Prefix

• 03. "Intrigue" (featuring Smino) (produced with Monte Booker)

Jean Deaux - Krash

• 05. "Energy / Who-U" (featuring Ravyn Lenae) (produced with Phoelix & ROMderful)

Smino - NØIR

• 15. "Krushed Ice" (featuring Valee)
• 17. "MF Groove" (featuring Ravyn Lenae)

2021

Maxo Kream - Weight of the World

• 16. "Believe" (featuring Don Toliver) (produced with Monte Booker)

Music videos

As lead artist

List of music videos as lead artist, showing year released and director(s)

Title	Year	Director(s)
"blkjuptr"	2016	Jacob Chavez[108]
"Anita"	2017	Jean Deaux[109]
"Netflix & Dusse"		Calmatic[110]
"Anita (Remix)" (featuring T-Pain)		—
"Wild Irish Roses"	2018	Jean Deaux[111]
"L.M.F."		—[112]
"Z4L" (featuring Bari & Jay2)	2019	Ev Solomon[33]
"Klink"		Smino, Nicholas Woytuk[113]
"Trina"		Child[114]
"Reverend"	2020	Topshotta[115]
"Cabbage (Freestyle)"		—
"S.A.D. Lil Intro"		—
"MLK Dr"	2021	Smino & Brick
"I Deserve" (featuring NOS.)		Smino

As featured artist

List of music videos as lead artist, showing year released and director(s)

Title	Year	Director(s)
"World In My Hands" (Saba featuring Smino & LEGIT)	2017	Tom Vin
"TROOP" (tobi lou featuring Smino)	2018	Glassface
"Khlorine" (Sango featuring Smino)		Glassface
"Sacrifices" (Dreamville featuring EarthGang, J. Cole, Smino & Saba)	2019	Scott Lazer, David Peters, and Chad Tennies[116]
"Homegirl" (Leven Kali featuring Smino & Topaz Jones)	2020	Alexandra Gaville[117]
"BET Uncut" (MadeinTYO featuring Chance the Rapper & Smino)		David "FilthyMcDave" Hightower[118]
"Louie Bag" (Yebba featuring Smino)	2021

Filmography

Film and television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2018	Beats + Bites with the Potash Twins	Himself	Episode 4
2021	What Say What?!	Himself	Episode 1; also creator

Tours

Headlining

• Swanita Tour (2017)
• Kouple Drillz Tour (with Monte Booker) (2018)
• Hoopti Tour (2019)
• Euro Fatigue Tour (2020)

Supporting

• A Quest For Love Tour (Mick Jenkins) (2016)
• The CTRL Tour (SZA) (2017)
• Acoustic Tour (T-Pain) (2017)

References

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