Smino • "Anita"

2016 definitely belonged to Chance The Rapper, but it's another midwest artist has been campaigning to make this year his. Smino has been on a tear since the new year came around and doesn't appear ready to stop anytime soon, continuing an impressive run with a very dope visual for his single "Anita" off the vaunted Blkswn project that hit airwaves last month.

Here, we find the fast-rising artist and St. Louis product alongside Jean Deaux somewhere deep in the southwest. Dude has proven that he has a flair for the dramatic and an innate sensibility that is cool as can be in seemingly any situation. It's a new-age love story set somewhere in the back-roads of an America long-forgotten. One of my favorite songs on this or any project that Smino has released to date, the video instantly brings a smile to one's face, perfectly embodying the kind of endearing, perpetual love that has been a catalyst behind the scenes as he's taken these large steps forward. It's dope to see art win, even more so when it accurately depicts reality with a breadth of understanding about the circumstances of doing both. Shout out Smino on this one, we'll surely be seeing plenty more very soon. Stay tuned.

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