ON SALE NOW!!
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Songbyrd and Zero Fatigue Present Swanita Tour Featuring Smino
Sunday, May 11, 2017
D: 7:30 // S: 8:30
Downstairs, All Ages
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Chris Smith Jr. aka Smino was born in St. Louis, Missouri into a musical family: his father plays keys, his mother sings, and his grandfather played bass guitar for Blues Hall of Fame musician Muddy Waters. Both his father and grandfather were given opportunities to take their music far, but they gave up their success to be with their families. When he was seven, his father gave him a set of drums, which he played in his church’s band, and also began rapping.
Smino describes his sound as futuristic funk and soulful rap. He grew up listening to a lot of jazz, gospel, and hip hop. Smino names Kanye West as his biggest influence, as well as his cousin, Drea Smith, who was signed to Lupe Fiasco and was on tour with Kanye West.
His debut album, blkswn, was released on March 14, 2017. The release date holds a special significance to the St. Louis rapper because 314 is the area code of his hometown. The album includes guest appearances from Ravyn Lenae, Bari, theMIND, Jay2, Via Rosa, Drea Smith, and Akenya, with production coming from monte booker, THEMpeople, Sango, Phoelix, and J. Bird.
Smino will playing Broccoli City Festival 2017 in Washington D.C. on May 6th… but if you can’t catch him there and/or want to see his special brand of funk-rap in more intimate environs, check him out at Songbyrd Music House the next day!
