Smino • blkswn

Produced by Monte Booker, Phoelix, THEMpeople, J. Bird, & J. Robb Additional Instrumentation by Erik Hunter & Phoelix Additional Background Vocals by Julian Bell Mixed & Mastered by Elton "L10MixedIt" Chueng @ Classick Studios

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.