Born Christopher Bjorn Smith Jr. on October 2, 1991, in St. Louis, Missouri, Smino grew up in a family where music wasn’t just a hobby—it was part of everyday life. His father played the keyboard, his mother was a singer, and his grandfather was a bassist who performed alongside legendary blues musician Muddy Waters. Interestingly, both his father and grandfather had opportunities to pursue music professionally but chose to prioritize family instead, a decision that would later inspire Smino’s own outlook on life and success. At the age of seven, his father gifted him his first drum set, and before he ever picked up a microphone, Smino was playing drums and singing in his church band. Growing up surrounded by gospel, jazz, blues, soul, and hip-hop gave him the musical foundation that would later shape his signature sound. After graduating from Hazelwood Central High School in 2010, he moved to Chicago to attend Columbia College, where his cousin, singer Drea Smith, introduced him to the city’s thriving music scene and many of the collaborators who would become instrumental in his career. One interesting revelation came in 2021 when he discovered that fellow rapper Denzel Curry is actually a distant relative after the two learned they shared the same uncle—a surprise that delighted fans and the artists alike. Smino is also known for valuing genuine friendships and creative communities, reflected in his co-founding of the Zero Fatigue collective, which he often describes as a family rather than just a music group. His humility, loyalty to his hometown of St. Louis, and commitment to staying authentic have become defining traits both on and off the stage.
Four: blkjuptr
Released as the lead single from Smino’s second EP, “blkjuptr” was officially rolled out to digital platforms on June 3, 2016, although the EP itself had first been released on December 11, 2015. Produced by longtime collaborator Monte Booker, the song blends hip-hop, neo-soul, funk and electronic influences into the experimental sound that would become Smino’s signature. The title, pronounced “Black Jupiter,” reflects Smino’s idea of creating an escape from the limitations and alienation experienced on Earth, drawing inspiration from the Afrofuturist themes of Parliament-Funkadelic and Sun Ra. It has garnered over 4.7M streams on Spotify and over 1.2M views on YouTube. Although “blkjuptr” did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100 or major U.S. singles charts, its impact came through critical acclaim rather than commercial success. Music critics praised the record for its originality, with Earmilk describing the EP as a “fantastic” introduction to Smino’s artistry, while the Chicago Reader highlighted the chemistry between Smino’s fluid vocal delivery and Monte Booker’s inventive production. The song also drew attention for its opening imagery—“Black hoodie, black Timbs, black leather jacket”—which many critics interpreted as a commentary on Black identity and social consciousness. Today, “blkjuptr” is widely regarded as one of the records that laid the foundation for Smino’s breakout, and establishing him as one of the most distinctive voices in alternative hip-hop.
FYI
- Smino’s fourth studio album, Maybe in Nirvana, released in late 2024, marked his first independently released album, giving him greater creative control over his music after years with major-label backing.
Three: 90 Proof (feat. J. Cole)
Released on September 30, 2022, “90 Proof” featuring J. Cole served as the lead single from Smino’s critically acclaimed third studio album, Luv 4 Rent. Produced by Monte Booker and Groove, the track explores themes of love, vulnerability, personal growth and commitment, with both Smino and J. Cole reflecting on their relationships through honest, introspective lyrics. It has garnered over 60M streams on Spotify and over 7.6M views on its official music video on YouTube. Interestingly, Smino later revealed that the song was originally intended for one of J. Cole’s own projects, but while finalizing Luv 4 Rent, he felt it perfectly completed the album’s narrative and asked Cole if he could keep it—something Cole readily agreed to. The single was met with widespread praise from critics, who applauded the chemistry between the two rappers, Smino’s effortless melodic delivery, Monte Booker’s lush production, and Cole’s grounded guest verse. Music publications such as Pitchfork and The Line of Best Fit highlighted the track as an impressive lead single and one of the strongest moments leading into Luv 4 Rent, while fans embraced it as one of Smino’s finest collaborations. Although “90 Proof” did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100, it became one of Smino’s most successful and recognizable releases, helping generate excitement for the album, introducing many new listeners to his music, and further cementing his reputation as one of hip-hop’s most innovative and genre-blending artists.
Two: Gotta Be Us (Be The People) by Momo Boyd, Smino, and Trevor Jackson
Serving as Smino’s most recent credited release, “Gotta Be Us (Be The People),” by Momo Boyd, Trevor Jackson, Smino, Luke Borchelt, Sadie Rose Van and The V.C.U. Black Awakening Choir, marks the latest addition to the rapper’s discography. Released on June 12, 2026, the collaborative track celebrates unity, hope and community while showcasing Smino’s signature blend of melodic rap, soulful vocals and introspective lyricism. Since “Gotta Be Us (Be The People)” is Smino’s most recent credited release and a collaborative effort, comprehensive commercial data—including verified Spotify stream counts and chart performance—is still limited. As the song continues to reach audiences, its commercial impact will become clearer over time. The song finds each artist contributing to its overarching message of resilience and togetherness. Although the single has not charted on the Billboard Hot 100 or other major music charts, it has been well received by listeners for its positive message, rich musical arrangement and the seamless chemistry between its contributors. As Smino’s latest credited release to date, “Gotta Be Us (Be The People)” highlights his willingness to collaborate across genres while remaining true to the thoughtful songwriting and artistic authenticity that continue to define his music.
Awards/Nominations
- Although Smino has earned widespread critical acclaim throughout his career, his awards résumé remains relatively modest compared to many of his peers.
- In 2022, he received his first major industry recognition when he was nominated at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in the category of Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, for his contribution to Bo Jackson, the collaborative album by Boldy James and The Alchemist on which he appeared.
- Since then, Smino has continued to receive praise for projects such as Luv 4 Rent and Maybe in Nirvana, though they have yet to translate into additional major award nominations.
As his influence within hip-hop continues to grow, many fans and critics believe broader recognition from major music award bodies is only a matter of time.
Discography
* blkswn (2017)
* Noir (2018)
* Luv 4 Rent (2022)
* Maybe in Nirvana (2024)
One: Wild Irish Roses
Widely regarded as the biggest song of Smino’s career, “Wild Irish Roses” remains his most successful and most-streamed solo release to date, cementing its place as the defining record in his discography. Originally featured on his critically acclaimed debut album blkswn, the song was released as the album’s final single on March 26, 2018, accompanied by a visually striking music video that further elevated its popularity. It has successfully garnered over 148M streams on Spotify and over 1 l1M views on its official music video on YouTube. Lyrically, “Wild Irish Roses” reflects on themes of love, ambition, self-discovery and the pursuit of success, wrapped in poetic imagery and clever wordplay that have become hallmarks of Smino’s songwriting. Although the single did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100, it became his breakout commercial success through word-of-mouth and streaming platforms, making it the most-streamed solo song of his career. The record also received widespread critical acclaim, with both fans and music critics praising its innovative production, infectious groove and Smino’s effortless vocal performance. Nearly a decade after its release, “Wild Irish Roses” continues to be regarded as Smino’s signature song, introducing countless listeners to his music and standing as the benchmark against which much of his catalog is measured.
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