Smino has solidified a new deal with Motown Records. Although the St. Louis rapper has his own label, Zero Fatigue, this deal will be a partnership between the two. Motown’s director expressed his excitement about bringing Smino to the label.
“Smino is one of the most incredible artists in music,” Motown CEO/chairman Ethiopia Habtemariam said in a statement. “His limitless talent, creative vision, ambition, drive and authenticity has prepared him for this new chapter. He is ready to compete at the highest levels and we are grateful to be on this journey with Smino and the Zero Fatigue/EQT team to bring his music and vision to the world.”
With his new song I Deserve circulating, the news of this major deal couldn’t come at a better time. “I wrote this song about my little cousin who was killed in St. Louis last summer,” Smino shared. “I realized I never gave myself time to grieve and get through the emotion of a loss. I found myself singing ‘I deserve it’ out loud till I cried and recorded it.” Check out Smino’s music video premiere below.
Smino: Chris Smith Jr.
Smino was born Chris Smith Jr. in St. Louis, Missouri. He effectively brings a St. Louis swagger, along with unique vocal demonstrations, to his music. His exposure to jazz, blues, and gospel plays a major part in his experimentation in music. Not only did he come from a family of musicians, he once played the drums in his church band! After becoming part of the duo YDOC (“Young Dumb and Outta Control”), Smino ultimately went on to release the mixtape Smeezy Dot Com.
His debut in the hip-hop scene came after he moved to Chicago following his completion of high school. Zero Fatigue was founded in 2014 with singer Ravyn Lenae, rapper Jay2AintShit, and producer Monte Booker on its roster. Smino was signed to Interscope Records in 2016. Like Motown Records, Interscope is owned by Universal Music Group.
In 2018, Smino released his second full-length studio album, NOIR. This album received a 7.6 rating from Pitchfork. They described his album as a “raunchy bedroom party.” Additionally, it was compared to a “knotty harmony like Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.” His collaboration with Chance the Rapper in 2019 set the tone for what was to come for the rapper.
New Opportunities
For the most part, this year has been a cementing time for Smino. He shut down BET’s Cypher alongside Tierra Whack, D-Smoke, and Grip during this year’s BET Hip Hop Awards. His new label deal places him alongside hip hop moguls of today like Lil Baby, Migos, Lil Baby, Vince Staples, Lil Yachty, and fellow St. Louis-raised rapper, Nelly.
In short, Motown has built a strong roster and are displaying their “new definition of soul.”
A southern charmer from Georgia who loves hip hop culture and the change it brings to the world. I want to capture what lies beneath the surface of every action and lyric and express it through the eyes of the originator.
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