blkswn | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | March 14, 2017 | |||
Recorded | 2014–16 | |||
Studio | Classick Studios | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 63:14 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
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Smino chronology | ||||
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Singles from blkswn | ||||
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blkswn (pronounced "black swan") is the debut studio album by American rapper Smino. It was released on March 14, 2017 with Zero Fatigue under license to Downtown Records. [3]
The album includes guest appearances from Ravyn Lenae, Bari, theMIND, Jay2, Via Rosa, Drea Smith, Akenya, Jean Deaux, and Noname, with production from Monte Booker, THEMpeople, Sango, Phoelix, and J. Bird. The artwork of the album was done by Victor Birriel and taken by Chicago native, Taylor Madison, photographer of Diary of Disposables. [4]
The release date holds a special significance to the St. Louis rapper because 314 is the area code of his hometown. [5]
On December 2, 2016, Smino announced the title of the album and released "blkswn" as the first single. [6] [7] On February 8, 2017, the second single, "Anita" was released. [8] [9] He released "Blkoscars" on February 24, and "Father Son, Holy Smoke" on March 10 as promotional singles. [10] [11] On July 26, the music video for "Netflix & Dusse" was released. On March 26, 2018, Smino released the album's final single and music video for "Wild Irish Roses". [12]
Following the album's release, he headlined in his month-long Swanita Tour, which included 22 dates with guests Monte Booker, Jay2, Bari, and Jean Deaux. [13] Smino and Ravyn Lenae also opened for SZA on the CTRL Tour. [14] During October, he was opening act for T-Pain on his Acoustic Tour, who later appeared on the remix for "Anita" on October 27. [15] [16]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Ear Milk | [17] |
Exclaim | [2] |
Upon its release, album received critical acclaim and positive reviews. Kelsee Thomas of Earmilk said "Smino is letting us know in blkswn that he's aware of the change and of the fact that he needs to pay attention to keeping his vices under control now more than ever. He asked for this blessing and now he's asking for help while his blessings." Scott Glaysher of Exclaim said "Any time an artist can blend genres together in a way that doesn't seem forced or stolen, it definitely makes for an eye-opening listen." On March 17, 2017, Apple Music named Smino "New Artist of the Week". [18]
Publication | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|
BET | 6 | |
Complex | 41 | |
Consequence of Sound | 18 | |
Rolling Stone | 18 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Wild Irish Roses" |
| Monte Booker | 2:49 |
2. | "Maraca" |
| Monte Booker | 3:25 |
3. | "Glass Flows" (featuring Ravyn Lenae) |
| Monte Booker | 3:08 |
4. | "Flea Flicka" (featuring Bari) |
| Monte Booker | 2:43 |
5. | "Spit Shine" |
| Monte Booker | 2:10 |
6. | "Netflix & Dusse" |
| Monte Booker | 4:19 |
7. | "Anita" |
| Monte Booker | 3:56 |
8. | "Lobby Kall" |
| Monte Booker | 2:44 |
9. | "Edgar Allen Poe'd Up" (featuring theMIND) |
| Monte Booker | 3:10 |
10. | "Father Son, Holy Smoke" |
| THEMpeople | 4:00 |
11. | "B Role" |
| Monte Booker | 3:01 |
12. | "Blkoscars" (featuring Jay2) |
| Monte Booker | 3:40 |
13. | "blkswn" |
| Sango | 2:52 |
14. | "Long Run" (featuring Via Rosa) |
|
| 4:51 |
15. | "Innamission" |
| Monte Booker | 2:15 |
16. | "Silk Pillows" (featuring Akenya) |
|
| 3:27 |
17. | "Ricky Millions" (featuring Drea Smith) |
|
| 2:54 |
18. | "Amphetamine" (featuring Bari, Jean Deaux & Noname) |
|
| 7:49 |
Total length: | 63:14 |
Notes
The Waters is the fourth mixtape by American rapper Mick Jenkins. It was released on August 12, 2014, by Cinematic Music Group.
Fatimah Nyeema Warner, known professionally as Noname, is an American rapper, poet, and record producer. Since 2019, she has run the Noname Book Club, which focuses on radical texts by authors of color. She is also one-third of the musical supergroup Ghetto Sage with fellow rappers Smino and Saba.
The Healing Component is the debut studio album by American rapper Mick Jenkins. It was released on September 23, 2016, by Cinematic Music Group.
Tahj Malik Chandler, better known by his stage name Saba, is an American rapper and record producer. He grew up in the Austin neighborhood of the West Side of Chicago. He is a co-founder of the musical collective Pivot Gang with his brother Jerrel Chandler, their late cousin Walter Long Jr, their high school friend Logan Yutters, Jevunte Wheeler (squeakPivot),and Jimmy. He is also one third of the supergroup Ghetto Sage, with Smino and Noname.
Christopher Smith Jr., better known by his stage name Smino, is an American rapper. Smino is the founder of the musical collective Zero Fatigue with Bari, Monte Booker, Jay2, and Ravyn Lenae. He is one third of the supergroup Ghetto Sage, with Saba and Noname. Smino is signed to Downtown Records and Interscope.
Telefone is the debut mixtape by American rapper Noname. Originally announced in 2012, the mixtape faced numerous delays and was finally released four years later on July 31, 2016, as a free digital download. It features guest appearances from Saba, Ravyn Lenae, Raury, and Smino among others.
Bucket List Project is the debut studio album by American rapper Saba. It was released on October 27, 2016 by Saba Pivot, LLC.
Kai Asa Savon Wright, known by his stage name Sango, is an American DJ and record producer from Seattle, Washington.
Destin Choice Route, better known by his stage name JID, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is a part of the musical collective Spillage Village, founded by EarthGang in 2010. He signed to J. Cole's Dreamville Records, an imprint of Interscope Records in 2017. He is also a member of the hip hop supergroup Zoink Gang, with Smino, Buddy, and Guapdad 4000. His fluent rapping style and usage of wordplay has been highly acclaimed by several music critics.
Ravyn Lenae Washington is an American R&B singer-songwriter from Chicago who is currently signed to Atlantic Records and the Three Twenty Three Music Group. She is also a member of the musical collective Zero Fatigue. Her debut EP, Moon Shoes, was released independently in 2015 and reissued by Atlantic Records in 2016. Her follow-up EP, Midnight Moonlight, was released in 2017. In addition to performing at several music festivals, Lenae has also toured with SZA on her Ctrl Tour and Noname on her Telefone Tour.
Cameron Osteen, better known by his stage name Cam O'bi, is an American record producer, singer-songwriter and audio engineer. He has produced for Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa, Mick Jenkins, Noname, J. Cole, Bas, Saba, and Isaiah Rashad. His upcoming debut album is titled Grown Ass Kid.
This article catalogs the songwriting, musician, and production credits for Steve Lacy-Moya, better known as Steve Lacy. Lacy began his career as a guitarist and producer for the Los Angeles-based R&B/soul band, the Internet, and as a solo artist in the mid-to-late 2010s. His debut project, a song series titled Steve Lacy's Demo, was released in February 2017 and his debut album, Apollo XXI, was released in May 2019.
Room 25 is the debut studio album by American hip hop recording artist Noname. Recorded in about a month's time, the album chronicles the two years since the release of Noname's debut mixtape Telefone, most notably her move from Chicago to Los Angeles and an intense, short-lived romantic relationship.
Noir is the second studio album by American rapper Smino. It was released on November 8, 2018, with Zero Fatigue under license to Downtown Records and distributed by Interscope Records.
blkjuptr is the second extended play by American rapper Smino. It was released on December 11, 2015 with Zero Fatigue under license to Downtown Records. The EP was later re-released on June 3, 2016 on all digital platforms. Production was handled by Monte Booker, who previously worked with Smino on his S!Ck S!Ck S!Ck EP. He would go on to produce the bulk of his debut album, 2017's blkswn. Guest features came from Jay2 and Julien Bell.
Zero Fatigue is an American musical collective and independent record label with a split-base in both St. Louis, Missouri and Chicago, Illinois. The collective was founded by Smino and includes artists and producers Monte Booker, Ravyn Lenae, JayBaby TheGreaty, and Nosidam. The label is run by Chris "Classick" Innumerable.
Zoi Harris, better known by her stage name Jean Deaux is an American musician. She is known for her involvement in multiple genres and creative mediums. Her debut EP Krash was released in October 19, 2018.
Ahmanti Booker, professionally known as Monte Booker is an American producer from Chicago, Illinois. He is part of the musical collective Zero Fatigue, and has worked with artists such as Smino, Ravyn Lenae, Noname, Saba, Mick Jenkins, Sango, Ari Lennox and JID, among others.
Luv 4 Rent is the third studio album by American rapper Smino. It was released on October 28, 2022, with Zero Fatigue under license to Motown. The album includes guest appearances from J. Cole, Doechii, Fatman Scoop, Cruza, Lucky Daye, Phoelix, Cory Henry, Ravyn Lenae, Lil Uzi Vert and Reggie.
Hypnos is the debut album by American singer and songwriter Ravyn Lenae. It was released on May 20, 2022, through Atlantic Records. The album includes guest appearances and production from Monte Booker, Steve Lacy, Kaytranada, Fousheé, Mereba, Smino, Sango, Luke Titus, IAmNobodi, Phoelix and Teo Halm. The artwork of the album was shot by Quil Lemons.