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blkswn
Studio album by
Smino
ReleasedMarch 14, 2017
Recorded2014–16
StudioClassick Studios
Genre
Length63:14
Label
Producer
  • Monte Booker
  • THEMpeople
  • Sango
  • Phoelix
  • J. Bird
Smino chronology
blkjuptr
(2015) 		blkswn
(2017) 		NØIR
(2018)
Singles from blkswn
  1. "blkswn"
    Released: December 2, 2016
  2. "Anita"
    Released: February 8, 2017
  3. "Netflix & Dusse"
    Released: July 26, 2017
  4. "Wild Irish Roses"
    Released: March 26, 2018

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]

Background

The release date holds a special significance to the St. Louis rapper because 314 is the area code of his hometown.[5]

Release and promotion

Singles

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]

Tours

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]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
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]

Accolades

Publication Rank Ref.
BET
6
[19]
Complex
41
[20]
Consequence of Sound
18
[21]
Rolling Stone
18
[22]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Wild Irish Roses"
Monte Booker2:49
2."Maraca"
  • Smith Jr.
  • Booker
Monte Booker3:25
3."Glass Flows" (featuring Ravyn Lenae)
  • Smith Jr.
  • Ravyn Lenae
  • Booker
Monte Booker3:08
4."Flea Flicka" (featuring Bari)
  • Smith Jr.
  • Jabari Allen
  • Booker
Monte Booker2:43
5."Spit Shine"
  • Smith Jr.
  • Booker
Monte Booker2:10
6."Netflix & Dusse"
  • Smith Jr.
  • Booker
Monte Booker4:19
7."Anita"
  • Smith Jr.
  • Booker
Monte Booker3:56
8."Lobby Kall"
  • Smith Jr.
  • Booker
Monte Booker2:44
9."Edgar Allen Poe'd Up" (featuring theMIND)
  • Smith Jr.
  • Zarif Wilder
  • Booker
Monte Booker3:10
10."Father Son, Holy Smoke"
  • Smith Jr.
  • Lon Renzell Rudolph Jr.
THEMpeople4:00
11."B Role"
  • Smith Jr.
  • Booker
Monte Booker3:01
12."Blkoscars" (featuring Jay2)
  • Smith Jr.
  • Jeffrey Smith
  • Booker
Monte Booker3:40
13."blkswn"
  • Smith Jr.
  • Kai Wright
Sango2:52
14."Long Run" (featuring Via Rosa)
  • Smith Jr.
  • Booker
  • Michael Neil
  • Lluvia Rosa Vela
  • Monte Booker
  • Phoelix
4:51
15."Innamission"
  • Smith Jr.
  • Booker
Monte Booker2:15
16."Silk Pillows" (featuring Akenya)
  • Smith Jr.
  • Lon Renzell Rudolph Jr.
  • Akenya Seymour
  • Booker
  • Monte Booker
  • THEMpeople
3:27
17."Ricky Millions" (featuring Drea Smith)
  • Smith Jr.
  • Booker
  • Joe Cowell
  • Carlton Mahone
  • Drea Smith
  • Rodney Terry
  • Monte Booker
  • J. Bird
2:54
18."Amphetamine" (featuring Bari, Jean Deaux & Noname)
  • Smith Jr.
  • Allen
  • Booker
  • Zoi Harris
  • Michael Neil
  • Jaylon Roberts
  • Fatimah Warner
  • Monte Booker
  • Phoelix
  • J.Robb
7:49
Total length:63:14

Notes

  • "Amphetamine" contains a hidden track titled "Krash Kourse" featuring Bari, Jean Deaux, and Noname, produced by Monte Booker, Phoelix and J.Robb

Personnel

  • Smino – vocals
  • Monte Booker – production
  • Ravyn Lenae – vocals
  • Bari – vocals
  • theMIND – vocals
  • Jay2 – vocals
  • Via Rosa – vocals
  • Drea Smith – vocals
  • Akenya – vocals
  • THEMpeople – production
  • Sango – production
  • Phoelix – production
  • J. Bird – production
  • J.Robb – production
  • Noname – additional vocals
  • Jean Deaux – additional vocals
  • Julian Bell – additional background vocals, instrumentation
  • Michael E. Neil – additional background vocals, instrumentation
  • Erik Hunter – additional background vocals, instrumentation
  • Victor Birriel – artwork
  • Taylor Madison – artwork
  • Elton "L10MixedIt" Chueng – engineering, mixing, mastering

References

  1. ^ a b "Smino Brews His Brand of Soul on his album, "Blkswn"". Modern life mag.
  2. ^ a b Glaysher, Scott (March 20, 2017). "Smino - Blkswn". Exclaim.
  3. ^ Pickens, Ashley (March 8, 2017). "Smino Wants To Reflect A New Light On St. Louis With Debut Album 'blkswn'". Vibe.
  4. ^ Tanzer, Myles (March 8, 2017). "Smino Announces Debut Album 'blkswn'". The Fader.
  5. ^ Ivey, Justin (March 8, 2017). "Smino Shares Release Date for 'blkswn' album". XXL.
  6. ^ Danny, Schwartz (December 2, 2016). "Smino releases title track from his debut album 'blkswn'". HotNewHipHop.
  7. ^ C.M., Emmanuel (December 2, 2016). "Smino and Sango Make Magic on 'blkswn'". XXL.
  8. ^ Pickens, Ashley (February 8, 2017). "Smino Explores The Undiluted Reality Of A Black Woman With "Anita"". Vibe.
  9. ^ A. Barry, Peter (February 8, 2017). "Smino Drops Soulful New Song "Anita"". XXL.
  10. ^ Thompson, Desire (February 25, 2017). "Interview: Smino Celebrates The Art Of Black Excellence On "Blkoscars"". Vibe.
  11. ^ Craighead, Olivia (March 10, 2017). "Listen To Smino's New Song "Father Son Holy Smoke"". The Fader.
  12. ^ http://www.xxlmag.com/video/2018/03/smino-wild-irish-roses-video/
  13. ^ Ketchum III, William E. "'I Know Exactly What I Want': St. Louis Rapper Smino on New Album 'blkswn' and Focusing on What Comes Next". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  14. ^ Lamarre, Carl. "SZA Announces Extensive 'CTRL' Tour". Billboard. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  15. ^ Penrose, Nerisha. "T-Pain Announces Acoustic Tour". Billboard. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  16. ^ Findlay, Mitch. "Smino Lands T-Pain For The "Anita (Remix)"". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  17. ^ Thomas, Kelsee (March 15, 2017). "Album Review: Smino reveals hazy reflection on his new release 'blkswn'". Ear Milk.
  18. ^ "New Artist of the Week". Apple Music. March 17, 2017.
  19. ^ "You Mad? The Top 10 Albums Of 2017". BET. December 13, 2017. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  20. ^ "The Best Albums of 2017". Complex. December 6, 2017. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  21. ^ "Top 50 Albums of 2017". Consequence of Sound. December 22, 2017. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  22. ^ "40 Best Rap Albums of 2017". Rolling Stone. December 22, 2017. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
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