Smino Biography
Smino born Christopher Smith Jr, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer from St. Louis, Missouri. Smino is the founder of the musical collective Zero Fatigue with Bari, Monte Booker, Jay2, and Ravyn Lenae. Smino is also a member of the hip-hop supergroup Zoink Gang, with J.I.D, Buddy, Guapdad 4000, and EarthGang.
Smino is signed to Downtown Records and Interscope. 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. His debut studio album, blkswn was released to critical acclaim on March 14, 2017. His second studio album, NØIR, was released on November 8, 2018.
Smino Age | Birthday
Smino was born on October 2, 1991, in St. Louis, Missouri into a musical family. 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.
Smino Family | Parents
Smino was born in St. Louis, Missouri into a musical family. The father’s rapper plays keys while his mother sings. Smino’s grandfather played bass guitar for Muddy Waters; a renown Blues Hall of Fame musician.
Both his father and grandfather had the chances to propel their careers further but instead gave up their success and opportunities to be with their families.
When he was seven, Smino’s father gave him a set of drums, which he played in his church band, and from there he began rapping. Smino later moved to Chicago, Illinois for college under the wing of his older cousin, singer Drea Smith.
Smino C.mi & Young Dumb & Outta Control
Before using his pseudonym Smino, the rapper initially went by the moniker C. Smi back in 2012 and was in a rap duo with his friend Bari Allen called “Young Dumb and Outta Control” (YDOC), where they released a mixtape titled Retail.
Smino 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. Unofficial members and affiliates of the collective include Jean Deaux, Drea Smith, and Phoelix.
Smino Fashion
On April 5, 2018, Smino unveiled his design of satin-hooded hoodies called “Silk Pillows”, named after his song of the same name. After it went viral on Twitter, he explained the design saying “I made these satins for people with hair who like napping in hoodies.” The hoodie address the problem of waking up with messy or damaged hair.
Smino Mixtapes
Smino then released his first solo mixtape, Smeezy Dot Com, and moved back to Chicago. On October 2, 2015, Smino released his first EP, S!Ck S!Ck S!Ck. On December 11, he released his second EP titled Blkjuptr.
Smino & No Name| Shadow Man
On July 31, 2016, Smino appeared on Noname’s mixtape, Telefone, with Saba and Phoelix on the track “Shadow Man”. On August 17, it was announced that Smino will be alongside Mick Jenkins on the A Quest For Love Tour.
Smino & Saba
On October 27, he made another guest appearance on Saba’s album Bucket List Project on the song “World in My Hands”. The two have collaborated on a couple of songs such as Shadowman with rapper No name.
Smino | blkswn
Smino released the title track blkswn on December 2, 2016; to serve as the first single from his debut album, blkswn, which was publicly released on March 14, 2017. The release date holds a special significance to the St. Louis rapper because 314 is the area code of his hometown.
The album ‘blkswn’ included guest appearances from Ravyn Lenae, Bari, Noname, theMIND, Jay2, Via Rosa, Drea Smith, and Akenya, with production coming from Sango, Monte Booker, THEMpeople, Phoelix, as well as J. Bird.
Smino & T-pain
During October, the rapper was the opening act for T-Pain on his Acoustic Tour, who (T-pain) appeared on the remix for “Anita” The remix to Anita features the Auto-Tune King adding a verse at the beginning of the song.
Smino NØIR
The St. Louis rapper released his second album titled, NØIR, on November 8. 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.
Smino Artistry
Influence
Smino describes his sound as futuristic funk and soulful rap. He grew up listening to a lot of jazz, gospel, and hip hop, with rappers including Busta Rhymes, Ludacris, Nelly, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and Field Mob.
Smino names Kanye West and André 3000 as his biggest musical influences, as well as his cousin, Drea Smith. 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.”
Musical style
Scott Glaysher of Exclaim! described his music is a “mix of smart rapping and crowd-pleasing, futuristic R&B grooves.” 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.” 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.”
Smino Music
2012-16: Career beginnings and various projects
In 2012, 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 a mixtape titled Retail. They started to gain popularity locally but had a hard time getting their music out into the world.
Smino then released his first solo mixtape, Smeezy Dot Com, and moved back to Chicago. At Columbia College Chicago, he met engineer Chris “Classick” Inumerable, who became his closest friend and is now his manager. On October 2, 2015, Smino released his first EP, S!Ck S!Ck S!Ck.
On December 11, he released his second EP titled Blkjuptr. On July 31, 2016, Smino appeared on Noname’s mixtape, Telefone, with Saba and Phoelix on the track “Shadow Man”. On August 17, it was announced that Smino will be 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”.
Smino L.M.F
On October 26, 2018, Smino released a single titled “L.M.F.” produced by Sango, accompanied by a music video.
Smino Music Songs
- Anita Blkswn · 2017
Wild Irish Roses Blkswn · 2017
Z4L Noir · 2018
Netflix & Dusse Blkswn · 2017
KLINK Noir · 2018
blkswn Blkswn · 2017
L.M.F. Noir · 2018HOOPTI Noir · 2018
Amphetamine Blkswn · 2017
KOVERT Noir · 2018
Reverend Reverend · 2019
Coupe Se’ Yern Coupe Se’ Yern · 2018
KRUSHED ICE Noir · 2018
SPINZ Noir · 2018TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD Noir · 2018
Glass Flows Blkswn · 2017
FENTY SEX Noir · 2018
SUMMER SALT Noir · 2018
Father Son Holy Smoke Blkswn · 2017
blkjuptr Blkjuptr · 2015MF GROOVE Noir · 2018
New Coupe, Who Dis? New Coupe, Who Dis? · 2018
WE GOT THE BISCUITS Noir · 2018
PIZANO Noir · 2018
LOW DOWN DERRTY BLUES Noir · 2018
Maraca Blkswn · 2017SKEDOS Noir · 2018
Innamission Blkswn · 2017
Blkoscars Blkswn · 2017
Blood On My Hands BAM 2x Noir · 2018
MERLOT Noir · 2018
Music
Smino Tours | Concerts
Following the album’s release, he headlined in his month-long Swanita Tour, which included 22 dates with guest artists Monte Booker, Jay2, Bari, and Jean Deaux. He later released music videos for “Anita”, “Netflix & Dusse”, and “Wild Irish Roses”.
On July 6, it was announced that Smino and Ravyn Lenae will be opening for SZA on The CTRL Tour. During October, he was opening act for T-Pain on his Acoustic Tour, who appeared on the remix for “Anita.”
In April 2018, he and Monte Booker co-headlined the Kouple Drillz Tour which included shows in Asia and Australia. In 2019, Smino announced the Hoopti Tour, which included 33 shows in England, the United States, and Canada. Supporting acts for the tour will be EarthGang and Phoelix.
Headlining
- Swanita Tour (2017)
- Kouple Drillz Tour (with Monte Booker) (2018)
- Hoopti Tour (2019)
- Supporting
- A Quest For Love Tour (Mick Jenkins) (2016)
- The CTRL Tour (SZA) (2017)
- Acoustic Tour (T-Pain) (2017)
Where can I buy Smino tickets?
Get Smino tickets at stubhub.com or through the StubHub mobile app where you’ll receive the FanProtect Guarantee making sure your purchases are safe and secure.
What can I expect from Smino concerts?
In his live performances, Smino is known for R&B beats with a futuristic edge, intelligent lyricism and engaging with the crowd. He combines new funk and grungy R&B with flexible and soothing vocals. In any given song at any given live performance, he may go in and out of a multiplicity of voice styles and sounds.
What songs might I hear in a Smino setlist?
At any Smino performance, you’re sure to hear many of his singles, like “Oxygen,” “Anita,” “Netflix and Dusse,” “Wild Irish Roses,” “Klink,” “Z4L” and “L.M.F.”
Where can I see a Smino show?
You can check out the Smino tour at spots like Irving Plaza in New York, N.Y., The Fillmore in Baltimore, Md., Trees in Dallas, Texas, The Complex in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Great Hall at Coffman Memorial Union in Minneapolis, Minn., and Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, N.Y.
You can also see Smino live at the St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival at Footscray Park in Victoria, Australia, Coachella at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif., Austin City Limits Music Festival in Texas and Pitchfork Music Festival at Union Park in Chicago, Ill.
Who are Smino’s influences?
In Smino’s performances, you’ll hear influences of jazz, gospel, and hip-hop. You also may detect hints of other artists that influenced him, like rappers Field Mob, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Nelly, Ludacris, and Busta Rhymes and gospel singers T-Pain, Em, and Musiq Soulchild. Smino says his greatest influences are André 3000 and Kanye West, also doubtlessly evident in his songs and performances.
What artists are similar to Smino?
You’ll want to check out a Smino concert if you already like similar performers such as GoldLink, Mick Jenkins, EarthGang, Saba, Noname, Bas, Isaiah Rashad, Jid or KOTA The Friend. Back to Top.
- Sat Oct 5 Smino 8:30 PM- Jesse Auditorium, Columbia, MO, US
- SAT OCT 12 Afropunk Festival Atlanta 2 Day Pass with Anderson.Paak, FKA Twigs, Brittany Howard and more Tickets (October 12-13) TBD – 787 Windsor Street, Atlanta, Georgia, US
- SUN OCT 13 Afropunk Festival Atlanta Sunday Only with Anderson.Paak, Fever 333, Smino and more TBD – 787 Windsor Street, Atlanta, Georgia, US
- SAT OCT 26 Mala Luna Music Festival 2 Day Pass featuring Russ, Miguel, Diplo and more Tickets (October 26-27) 12:59 PM – Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium, San Antonio, TX, US
- SAT OCT 26 Mala Luna Music Festival Saturday Only featuring Russ, Miguel, YG and more 1:00 PM – Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium, San Antonio, TX, US
- FRI NOV 1 Day N Vegas 3 Day Pass with Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, J. Cole and more Tickets (November 1-3) TBD – Las Vegas Festival Grounds, Las Vegas, NV, US
- SUN NOV 3 Day N Vegas Sunday Only with Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, the Creator, Schoolboy Q, and more TBD – Las Vegas Festival Grounds, Las Vegas, NV, US
- SAT NOV 23 Red Bull Music Festival Chicago feat. Smino, Monte Booker and more 8:00 PM – Thalia Hall Chicago, Chicago, IL, US
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