Tag: D Smoke

D Smoke – “Wake Up Supa” review

This is the 4th studio LP & Death Row Records debut from Inglewood, California emcee/producer D Smoke. The older brother of R&B singer/Top Dawg Entertainment signee SiR, he made his full-length debut in almost 2 decades ago with Producer of the Year & re-emerged in 2019 off his debut EP Inglewood High & the Grammy nominated sophomore effort Black Habits. His last album Wars & Wonders broke down what it was like for him growing up in the City of Champions & has returned almost 4 years later for Wake Up Supa.

The title track with co-production from Terrace Martin drumlessly talks about people not listening to correction & shining when it comes to connection whereas “Na Na Na” featuring LaRussell finds the pair feeling like no one can tell them shit over an instrumental from both Larrance Dopson of 1500 or Nothin’ & Turbo. “No Passes” works in a heavy sample courtesy of Mike & Keys to drop some gas on these bitch asses leading into “Chin Up” talking about not letting anyone smaller than him outbox him.

“Fire” moves forward with a self-produced reflection on choosing a path different from the bloods & crips just before “Biscuits” featuring Nana & WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg asking God for Him to bless their visions & carry them from insanity. “Count Cha Blessings” featuring Jane Handcock takes a smoother approach instrumentally talking about focusing on the Ws more than the Ls while “Energized” refuses to let anyone steal his energy & dismiss them in the coldest fashion.

Lucky Daye joins Smoke on the soulful “Frequency” talking about needing love, support & encouragement along with asking why they keep getting declined whilst seeking a silver lining while “Jackie’s Triumph” strips the drums again so he can tap into his storytelling abilities lyrically. “Stomp” featuring Miles Minnick continues the sampling to talk about stepping on Satan while “Proud of You” produced by DJ Battlecat tells the individual it was written towards that he’s been watching them & that he’s pleased of them.

“Good Morning” nears the conclusion of the LP by stating that he doesn’t think anything will get the attention of those sleeping on him if Wake Up Supadoesn’t & the final song “So Good” ends the Rhythm + Flow season 1 winner’s inaugural release through Tha Row with a funky drumless outro talking about looking around & refraining whenever he feels like complaining because he’s ok as long as he’s still alive.

If you preferred Black Habits over Wars & Wonders by a slight margin like the majority of people, you’re probably gonna like D Smoke’s highly anticipated debut under Death Row Records as much if not more coming exactly 2 years since he became the 4th artist to sign with the most controversial record label in history’s current incarnation. Primarily because I feel like the conscious hip hop & R&B fusions that made him break out a month prior to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic are being purified as he opens a window to his self-aware perspective.

Score: 4/5

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D Smoke – “War & Wonders” review

D Smoke is a 35 year old MC from Inglewood, California most notable for being the older brother of R&B singer/Top Dawg Entertainment signee SiR. He made his full-length debut in the spring of 2006 with Producer of the Year, but re-emerged in 2019 off his debut EP Inglewood High & then the Grammy nominated sophomore album Black Habits only 4 months later. However after keeping things on the low throughout a bulk of this year, D Smoke is returning in the form of his 3rd album.

The title track is a bouncy opener saying only 1 voice matters in a world between good & evil, but then “Dirty Mercedes” has a bit of a smooth boom bap feel talking about how he got ways to go. “Shame on You” takes a mistier direction going at those who don’t understand his shit leading into the Dem Jointz-produced “Road Rage” thunderously proclaiming the streets as his.

Meanwhile on “Mind My Business”, we have D Smoke going into detail about why he stays in his own lane on top of an laidback instrumental whereas the Tobe Nwigwe-assisted “Find My Way” goes back into boom bap turf looking back on their younger days. Shady Records’ very own Westside Boogie hops on board for the stripped back “Crossover” going at those faking the funk just before “Common Sense” with SiR finds the siblings on top of some jazz shit pondering the price we pay for the titular topic.

“Why Run?” is a rich reminder that life’s what you make it & “Stay True” is a jazz trap fusion about always keeping it real. “Say Go” brings in some Viking-esque horns talking about his homies hydroplaning while “Good Thing” serves as a vibrant banger about positivity coming in many forms.

Fireboy DML pretty much dominates “Sleepwalking” getting romantic with some acoustic while the song “Better Half” is a chipmunk soul-tinged tribute to D Smoke’s lady. The penultimate track “Clockwork” is an R&B-tinged cut about being loved like the world is ending & “Free Write” rounds it out with a funky fresh freestyle.

For those who dug Inglewood High & Black Habits, I think you’re gonna like War & Wonders evenly. Sure there are some portions that’re blatantly inspired by Kendrick Lamar, but I dig the whole concept of him detailing what it was like for him growing up in the city of Inglewood.

Score: 3.5/5