D Smoke’s Black Habits being released THIS month because its Black History Month, at a time where we need THIS content because Black music, and more particularly, Hip-Hop desperately needs artistry to remind us of how great we are. Black Habits explores the stories and experiences of D Smoke growing up in Inglewood, California. D Smoke exudes a confidence that isn’t cocky, but secure in who he is and his place in hip-hop. He is supposed to be here. He is Black Excellence. If you don’t know who he is from the inaugural season of the music competition show, Rhythm and Flow, his name will be ingrained in your memory and you’ll be yearning for more of his music when you listen to Black Habits.
No, He’s Not Kendrick – But, He’s a Dope Lyricist with Substance
Now, if you know me, you know I am a HUGE Kendrick Lamar fan. So, let’s just get this out the way, cuz I know you were thinking it when you heard him spit. Many people say D Smoke sounds like K.Dot, but could it just be Smoke is an amazing lyricist with an LA twang whose lyrics are meaningful? Could it just be that he tells great stories, and when he does, it’s music to our ears? He ain’t “King Kendrick” but with his skills, confidence, and humility, D Smoke is definitely Hip-Hop Royalty and worthy of a crown.
D Smoke flexes his storytelling skills all over this album. If you appreciate love stories, you will fall for Fallin’, which is one of my faves. The beat kind of reminds me of January 28th by J. Cole. The adventure of falling in love and everything that comes with that roller coaster of loving, leaving, hurting, and reflecting is something we can all identify with, and you hear those elements in this song. It’ll have you reminiscing like most good love songs do.
Bullies is an intriguing tale about how anyone can become a bully as a way to cope through some trial or tribulation, and how someone on the receiving end has to survive those bully tactics. The second verse snatched me back to my hood circa 1992-93 when he rapped “I’ll never hit a woman, but my homegirl will/Keep talkin’, I let my homegirl kill/She from Inglewood, got the chrome tip with the pearl grip/Educated with a homegirl feel.” Whew Chile…hood memories!
Like the legendary African that led a slave revolt in Mexico, Gaspar Yanga, goes hard like the man it’s named after. When the bass dropped and the girls in the background started spittin’ the tribal chants, D Smoke’s lyrical flow let off like a .45.
I dig the way Smoke alters the pace of his flow and the tone of his voice so that all of his songs don’t sound the same (much like Kendrick). Sometimes, it sounds like there’s a feature when there isn’t (also something Kendrick does well). Smoke really didn’t need Uncle Snoop Dogg for this one, but it’s a family affair and I’m a fan.
Black Habits is a Family Affair
No shade, but who needs Uncle Snoop when you come from a musical family like this one? D Smoke’s brother is TDE R&B singer/songwriter, SiR. His other brother is Davion Farris, also a singer/songwriter, and his mom, Jackie Gouche (who must’ve blessed them all with talent) is a gospel singer who sang with the likes of Michael Jackson and Gladys Knight. They are ALL on this album which makes it that much more special.
With lines on Fly ft. Davion Farris, like “Kiss my grandma and bend my knees, thank the Lord for the gift of peace” and “Only need one woman when you got you a queen,” you know Ms. Jackie done raised her boys right! I need all “fuckboys” to fast from Future’s music for 40 days, put this song on repeat, and heal by osmosis or something!
SiR appears on two songs – Lights Out and Closer to God. Lights Out wasn’t my favorite on the album, but I did enjoy SiR’s hook and think this song could have radio appeal. The bros showed their gospel roots on Closer to God. The lyrics really moved me as I struggle with the bureaucratic structure of the church, but this song reminded me that it’s the music and the Spirit that keep me lifted when I go to church. The way SiR croons on the hook and the gospel organ playing at the end were both hella Black and I loved it!
The celebration of Blackness continues with Black Habits ft. Jackie Gouche where D Smoke talks about how his experiences shaped him as a Black man. I love how Obama’s presidential years ushered in a wave of outspoken Black folks bringing back unapologetic expressions of Black love and Black pride. We are embracing our magical nature more and more. This song created an anthem to be quoted and repeated:
“Black magic, Black excellence, Black habits, this black medicine, everything – Black Chucks, Black tux, everything, everything Black hug, Black love, everything – Praise Black Jesus, play Black Moses, Give ‘em flowers while they still here, Black roses, everything, Black tie, Black ride everything, everything Black pride, Black lives, everything”
D Smoke
D Smoke’s father was even featured on the album, but not as a musician. You first get a glimpse into his story on Morning Prayer, a skit where a Mom is giving her young boys a pep talk before school. Before they depart, one of the sons says a heartfelt prayer that God would bring their Dad home from jail soon. D Smoke talks about his Dad having been in jail and becoming someone who he now looks up to and is proud of on Like My Daddy. So many Black kids grow up with their fathers in the system. His is a story of redemption and reinvention – a story many Black folks are familiar with and one that is worth celebrating.
D Smoke’s is Versatile Musician – Soulful, Jazzy, Funky, and Gospel
If you have a diverse palette for music, you will enjoy listening to Black Habits from top to bottom. Top of the Morning is one of my faves on the album. It has a jazzy, feel-good vibe, with horns, drums, and snare heavy throughout the song. It feels like one of those new throwbacks you might hear at the skating rink, with the theme “It’s love in here.” It’s very easy on the ears. I’m looking forward to rocking this on my next bike ride when the weather breaks.
Sunkissed Child ft. Iguocho and Jill Scott is probably my favorite song on the album. This collaboration is a match made in heaven for me. The title alone makes me feel like a child of God, uniquely kissed by the sun with my bronzy-red skin and freckles. It’s another feel-good joint, but with raw lyrics by D Smoke about the Black experience. There is Roger Troutman synth-like singing throughout the track which West coasts heads will love. Iguocho sings beautifully and Jill Scott blesses the track with her poetic artistry.
On Seasons Pass, another song showing the depth of D Smoke’s musicianship, you become entranced in the lullaby-esque sound. I’m not sure who sang the melody on the hook, but it was sweet and harmonious. Smoke eloquently sings and raps on the song about life being a gift and having love to give. We humbly accept this love, Smoke.
El Canto Español de D Smoke es Sexy!
The way that D Smoke bobs and weaves in and out of English and Spanish is extraordinary. Spanish has always been a beautiful language to me, but I never practiced it enough to get a real command of it. That said, shout out to my peeps, my real-life “Google Translate” who spent a semester abroad in Spain and dated a Mexican chick who was so resilient (or Cartel-connected) that she always found her way back to the States every time she got deported!
D Smoke’s bars got me ready to download the Babel app to see what I’ve been missing! Here are some of our favorite lines en español (loosely translated) that go hard:
No Commas
No commas, no drama, word to tio Obama (Word to Uncle Obama) – Mama dijo, “No te preocupe’, mijo,” (Mama said “don’t you worry son”), you got it – You ’bout to blow they high, don’t know you’re en la tierra Osama (the land of Osama) – Just keep on giving ’em cuts, con las tijeras (with the scissors), you’ll come up
D Smoke
Fly ft. Davion Farris
Yo me siento que ahora es el tiempo (I feel like now is the time) – Ignoro lo negativo, escucho la voz adentro (Ignore the negative, listen to the voice inside) – Mis padres son orgullosos, no porque hablo loco (My folks is proud, not because I talk crazy) – Solo porque su hijo da diamantes en trozos, Supa (but because their son gives diamond (drops gems) in pieces)
D Smoke
Real Body ft. Ari Lennox
Understand la panocha ‘ta abierta (Understand the pussy, it’s open) – Tiramela pa’ ‘tras si estaría sé por (Throw it back at me…) – Te comeré la caja como un cerdo (I’ll eat the box like a pig) – Pero I’m a dog, seré tú perro (I’ll be your dog)
D Smoke
It was difficult for me to find bad things to say about this album or to even dissect every song because there is so much meaningful content on this very Black album. Positive energy exudes from this album as D Smoke finds the beauty in our flaws, our strengths, and our Blackness. At a time when Hip-Hop is overly-saturated with songs about promethazine and poppin’ pills, Black Habits is an album that we can be proud of, that we want our kids to listen to, and that we can applaud for years to come. Your ears will not be disappointed. Well done, Smoke.
