Smino • blkswn
Smino's mega-anticipated blkswn project dropped at midnight, and hip-hop fans everywhere are only just beginning to soak it all in. Normally sticking to the weekend for releases, the north side St. Louis singer celebrates his first full-length project, on a date that holds a special place in his heart.March 14th is treated more so a holiday in Smino’s hometown. The 314 area code sharing semblance with today’s date, blkswn stands eighteen tracks strong for the world to enjoy. “If I ain’t neva had shit I had da city,” read over a tweeted group photo containing Smino’s family and friends, a sentiment proved by hundreds of retweets carrying utter admiration for the new music.
We get a chance to go on a journey with this album, with Smino leading the way. Along side the talented St. Louis rapper are Chicago performers such as Via Rosa, Drea Smith, Ravyn Lenae, Akenya & more. blkswn comes with just six features, but each and everyone counts. Connecting with longtime collaborator Monte Booker, Smino shines as a songwriter. Engineered by Elton “L10Mixedit” Chueng, the songs touch on a number of frequencies, a nostalgic neo-soul soundscape. Reaching number eight on the Itunes album chart within two hours, St. Louis welcomes yet another timeless body of work.
More Recent Releases
Hollyy does what they do best on their brand new single “What A Shame” with animated video to accompany!
Rich Robbins’ new single “Good Goodbyes” perfectly captures this theme as he reflects on the lessons learned from different people in his life.
On Eleeza Silva’s latest record, listeners are instantly taken back to one of the most revolutionary eras of hip-hop.
Hailing from the Northwest side of the city, J.Solaye is an emerging singer with a disarmingly tender voice that can sway anybody into a daydream. These Days premieres the official video for her song "Ocean" off her debut E.P., One.
A month after dropping their sensational collab “Aye There,” Marcus Atom and Rich Jones have unveiled a visual to match the song’s silky smooth energy.
Following this past Spring’s release of his album, Rambe World, Kahrion has released the video for the album’s standout track “Silver Bullets”.
On her second These Days-premiered track, Ness Heads delivers an energetic hip hop heater, “Fall” (produced by Drew Damen and Grammy Szn). Listen now on Spotify.
Listen to “Now She Knows My Name” and check out our quick Q&A with Jameson Brenner about Othersides, their creative approach and what lays ahead.
Malci’s latest album creates a palpable world of its own while calling back to the g-funk synths of days gone by. For all of its soft vibes and smoothness, Papaya! is not a love letter, nor a rap manifesto. It's a snapshot of Malci in the moment.
What better way to usher in the summer love than with a new single from the Windy City’s own.
Lay back and relax to the chillness of Valee with “You & Me Both” co-created by ChaseTheMoney2x and JW Lucas.
These Days is proud to premiere “Aperture” by Emily Blue. The track continues Blue’s mastery of an ethereal sound that makes perfect ambient pop.