Smino is from a musical family, with his father playing keys, his mother singing, and his grandfather being a famous blues bassist. He began his musical career at seven when his father gave him a set of drums, which he played in his church’s band. He also started rapping around this time, forming the rap duo “Young Dumb and Outta Control” (YROC) with his friend Bari Allen. The duo released a self-titled mixtape and began to gain local popularity but had difficulties getting their music out into the world.
In 2012, Smino released his first solo mixtape, Smeezy Dot Com, and then moved to Chicago, Illinois, for college at Columbia College Chicago. While in Chicago, he met engineer Chris “Classik” Inumerable, who became his closest friend and is now his manager. In 2015, he released two EPs: S!Ck S!Ck S!Ck and blkjuptr. His debut studio album blkswn was released to critical acclaim on March 14, 2017, and his second studio album, NØIR, was released on November 8, 2018. His third studio album, Luv 4 Rent, was released on October 28, 2022.
blkjuptr
Smino Lyrics
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Got me sweating like
Black hoodie
Black Timbs
Black leather jacket
Sun beatin' on my black skin
Black queen wit me say the blacker the berry
Know I got more buttons than a Blackberry
Push em all tryna evolve and break outta
Black holes in my heart in the dark I can breathe proper
Feel the fruits of my labor no talkin' just show niggas
Foot stomped on my apple by Adam like choke nigga
Switch up I want the big booties and big trucks
Soul food nigga yam flippa
Sweet potato barrel genocide silent killer
These tears dry quicker on Versace pillows
Feel a li'l better when ya thread count thicker
Can't get it off my chest shit a hiccup
My main thang always gettin' extra ripped up
World cold roll a zip-up
Got a lil swish swish
Smell my shit comin' young windbreaker
I'm a Z-E-R-O lex time comin'
I think you know our time comin'
Young forever they old hit stage break a leg nigga OJ Mayo
High stuntin'
I bee alone sometimes honey
Wonder if you hive time for me
Never let a day go
With out me blacking out on all these pesos
Crazy cause I
I get so lonely
Can't let just anybody in and
You are the one
I need to see
So hit me
My line is still the same when I
Uber to, ah
Jupiter, ah
Roll up a, vega, it's
Lit up like, Vegas
This, Subaru
(Baby it got) hella room
(Yeah I) pull up be, side ya
Just, look for the, white one
I'm riding
Tryna
Take you
To blkjuptr
Black
In the song "blkjuptr", Smino talks about his love and appreciation for Blackness. He wears all black clothing, including a hoodie, Timbs, and a leather jacket which make him sweat due to the hot sun beating down on his black skin. He is accompanied by a black queen who believes that the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice. Smino compares himself to Blackberry phones, saying that he has more buttons to push before he can evolve and break out of the black holes in his heart, which he can only breathe properly in the dark. He takes pride in his heritage and hard work, showing the fruits of his labor in action rather than talking about them. Although he gets hurt and torn apart like an apple, he switches up his desires to enjoy big booties and trucks, soul food, and the sweetness of yams and sweet potatoes. He sheds tears of pain that dry quickly on luxurious Versace pillows, relieved only by the comfort of higher thread count. He also feels that his chest is burdened and hiccuped by his worries and regrets, but his main girl always gets the extra ripped up attention she deserves.
Smino provides a unique perspective on Blackness that challenges the negative stereotypes and highlights its beauty and importance. He cleverly incorporates Black culture in his lyrics by mentioning Blackberry phones, soul food, and the fruits of his labor. He also addresses the struggles of being Black in America, including the burden of carrying past pain and the need for comfort and luxury. Through his music, Smino celebrates Blackness and encourages his listeners to do the same.
Line by Line Meaning
Black
The focus of this song is on the experience of being Black.
Got me sweating like
I am so anxious and stressed from being Black that I am sweating.
Black hoodie
I wear clothing, like a black hoodie, that is associated with being Black.
Black Timbs
I wear shoes, like black Timbs, that is associated with being Black.
Black leather jacket
I wear clothing, like a black leather jacket, that is associated with being Black.
Sun beatin' on my black skin
The sun is so hot and intense on my black skin.
Black queen wit me say the blacker the berry
I am with a Black woman who believes that the darker the skin, the more beautiful.
Makes a spectacular cherry
This is a metaphor for a Black woman's beauty.
Know I got more buttons than a Blackberry
I have a lot of potential and hidden depths, like a Blackberry with many buttons.
Push em all tryna evolve and break outta
I am constantly pushing myself to evolve and break out of patterns or ideas that are holding me back.
Black holes in my heart in the dark I can breathe proper
I have deep emotional pain, but in the dark I feel like I can breathe more freely.
Feel the fruits of my labor no talkin' just show niggas
I am proud of my hard work and want to show others what I have achieved.
Foot stomped on my apple by Adam like choke nigga
This is a metaphor for feeling like someone has sabotaged my potential or opportunities, like when Adam ate the forbidden fruit.
Switch up I want the big booties and big trucks
I want the symbols of wealth and comfort often associated with success in America.
Soul food nigga yam flippa
I enjoy traditional Black cuisine, specifically yams.
Sweet potato barrel genocide silent killer
This line is a metaphor for the way that traditional Black cuisine, like sweet potato pie or yams, can be harmful to health over time with excessive consumption.
These tears dry quicker on Versace pillows
Even though I am struggling, it is easier to keep up appearances around people who are wealthy or successful.
Feel a li'l better when ya thread count thicker
Similarly to the last line, having nicer bedding can make me feel a little better about my struggles.
Can't get it off my chest shit a hiccup
I am having trouble identifying and expressing my emotions.
My main thang always gettin' extra ripped up
My partner is always getting dressed up or looking great, which makes me feel insecure.
World cold roll a zip-up
The world is harsh, and I need to protect myself with my clothing.
Got a lil swish swish
I have a little bit of marijuana.
Smell my shit comin' young windbreaker
This line is a metaphor for the way that I am distinctive and confident in myself.
I'm a Z-E-R-O lex time comin'
I don't seem like much now, but my potential will be revealed in time.
I think you know our time comin'
I believe that my time for success and transition is coming soon.
High stuntin'
I am showing off and being flashy.
I bee alone sometimes honey
I feel lonely and isolated at times.
Wonder if you hive time for me
I wonder if my partner has time for me and values our connection.
Never let a day go with out me blacking out on all these pesos
I never want to forget about or neglect the importance of my Black identity, even in the pursuit of wealth.
Crazy cause I
This is the start of the chorus.
I get so lonely
I am feeling lonely and emotionally disconnected.
Can't let just anybody in and
I am careful about who I let into my life and who I am vulnerable with.
You are the one
This is directed at a specific individual, suggesting that they are very important to me.
I need to see
I miss this person and crave their presence.
So hit me
This is an invitation for the person to contact me.
My line is still the same when I
I haven't changed my phone number, even though I am moving on to new phases in my life.
Uber to, ah
I am planning to use Uber to travel.
Jupiter, ah
I am looking for a big, impressive destination - something like Jupiter.
Roll up a, vega, it's
I am rolling up a joint to smoke.
Lit up like, Vegas
I am using a lot of lighters and creating a lot of smoke.
This, Subaru
This is the car I am driving.
(Baby it got) hella room
This is a description of the car - it has a lot of space.
(Yeah I) pull up be, side ya
I am pulling up next to the person I am talking to.
Just, look for the, white one
This is a description of the car - it is white.
I'm riding
I am driving and feeling confident.
Tryna
I am trying to.
Take you
I want to go on a trip with this person.
To blkjuptr
This is the destination and title of the song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: AHMANTI BOOKER, CHRISTOPHER SMITH JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind