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.
blkswn
Smino Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sminova Scotia, beam on 'em
Aw they hate it when you smile nah
They lactose tolerant, I cheese on 'em
Smino compadre, speak up
Me no speak no english
Country country my lingo
Smell the smoke, that shit linger
Bumper cars in the Beamer
Bunk beds, ain't no space
Fuck you thought? I don't team up
Stick with my familia
We go back like Girbauds and wife beaters
Back in the space when they tried to delete us
We blew G's and stay G'd up
And I'm just sitting here
Thinkin' 'bout
All of the
Money that
I could be
Getting right now
Wasting my time
What you doin'
I told you I
Only got
Time for these
Benjis I count
I only come through for that guarantee
That right on time, that exactly what I need
I need that guarantee
Smi D Pablo keep a freak-a-leek
Greedy hoes they want a piece of me
Mama told me about these phony frolickers
My apologies I can't let y'all drain me
Smi-know better than to trust gimmicks
Smino, more like Smi-Yeah
Young Denzel train all day
Run shit here, ya'll just live here
Smino-ly Bible I live by
Cross my heart, hope to die nigga if I'm lying
Only bands make me march
I beat the odds like a drum line
And I ain't never in a rush
I ain't no Russian, I'm a blkswn
Being timeless how I pass time
Scheming, plotting 'til it's attack time
And I'm just sitting here
Thinkin' 'bout
All of the
Money that
I could be
Getting right now
Wasting my time
What you doin'
I told you I
Only got
Time for these
Benjis I count
I only come through for that guarantee
That right on time, that exactly what I need
I need that guarantee
Sitting here
Thinkin' 'bout
All of the
Money that
I could be
Getting right now
Wasting my time
What you doin'
I told you I
Only got
Time for these
Benjis I count
I only come through for that guarantee
That right on time, that exactly what I need
I need that guarantee
In Smino's "blkswn," he offers a mix of hip-hop and soul sound while addressing the benefits and challenges of success. The first verse is a showcase of Smino's unique wordplay. The line "They lactose tolerant, I cheese on 'em" is probably the most memorable line in the whole song, where he uses a metaphor to suggest that he's the thing that people can't handle. He then goes on to say that he sticks with his family, rather than teaming up with people who he can't trust. It seems like the chorus is a sort of an inner monologue for Smino, who is questioning the use of his time and if he's doing what he needs to be doing to make sure he gets the money and success he wants. He makes it clear that he's only interested in "benjis," or $100 bills, with the line "I only come through for that guarantee, that right on time, that exactly what I need, I need that guarantee."
In the second verse, Smino seems to be talking about the stereotypes that come with success. He says that greedy women want a piece of him and that he can't let them drain him. He's aware of the gimmicks that come with success and the importance of staying true to yourself. The line "Young Denzel train all day, run shit here, ya'll just live here," is referring to Denzel Washington's role as a football coach in the movie 'Remember the Titans." He's saying that he has to keep training and working on his craft, while others can just live off of the success they already have. The use of the word "blkswn" in the last line of the verse stands for "black swan," which is a reference to something that's rare and unexpected.
Line by Line Meaning
Boom, boom, boom, Sminoshima
Starting off strong, Smino introduces himself with a rhythmic beat.
Sminova Scotia, beam on 'em
A play on words, Smino cleverly incorporates Nova Scotia into his name and asserts his presence.
Aw they hate it when you smile nah
Smino recognizes the negativity of others and the impact a simple smile can have on them.
They lactose tolerant, I cheese on 'em
Expanding on the previous line, Smino asserts his presence and 'cheeses' on the haters, potentially highlighting their inability to handle his success.
Smino compadre, speak up
Smino urges his compadre to speak up, showing his support for others in their endeavors.
Me no speak no english
Smino plays with language again by stating he does not speak English, potentially suggesting he communicates through his music.
Country country my lingo
Smino is proud of his roots and where he comes from, highlighting its influence on his music.
Smell the smoke, that shit linger
Smino is creating something impactful and lasting, with his presence being felt long after the initial encounter.
Smino di grigio these hoes dutty wine
Expanding on his wordplay, Smino incorporates the name of a popular wine and a dance style to describe his encounters with women.
Bumper cars in the Beamer
Smino is living the high life, enjoying the luxuries that come with success.
Bunk beds, ain't no space
Smino shows that even in his success, he is still humble and grounded, not wasting space or resources.
Fuck you thought? I don't team up
Smino values the importance of his individuality and relies on himself and his family rather than relying on external sources for success.
Stick with my familia
Continuing the previous line, Smino highlights the importance of family and those closest to him in his journey to success.
We go back like Girbauds and wife beaters
Referencing popular clothing items from the 90s, Smino highlights the longevity of his relationship with his friends and family.
Back in the space when they tried to delete us
Smino is aware of those who try to tear him down and has come a long way from when he was fighting for his success.
We blew G's and stay G'd up
Smino and his team have made a lot of money, but they're still 'G'd up' and maintaining their authenticity and identity.
And I'm just sitting here
Smino is taking a moment to reflect on his success and what he could do next.
Thinkin' 'bout
Smino is deep in thought and considering his next steps.
All of the
He considers all the opportunities and possibilities open to him.
Money that
Smino is aware of the financial gain he could achieve with his next move.
I could be
He understands that his potential is limitless.
Getting right now
Smino is ready to take action and pursue his next venture.
Wasting my time
Smino knows that he can't waste any time and has to work hard for his success.
What you doin'
Smino is curious about what others are doing to achieve their goals.
I told you I
Smino has previously made it clear what he values and how he works towards his success.
Only got
Smino has limited resources and time.
Time for these
He prioritizes what he needs to do to achieve success.
Benjis I count
Smino is counting his money, and it's crucial to his success.
I only come through for that guarantee
Smino is determined to make sure that every move he makes leads to success and guarantees financial gain.
That right on time, that exactly what I need
Smino knows what he needs to be successful and is ready to make it happen.
I need that guarantee
Smino is focused on making sure everything he does leads to success and financial gain.
Smi D Pablo keep a freak-a-leek
Smino is confident in his abilities to attract women.
Greedy hoes they want a piece of me
Smino knows that some women are only interested in him because of his success and potential to make money.
Mama told me about these phony frolickers
Smino is aware of people who aren't genuine and can't be trusted.
My apologies I can't let y'all drain me
Smino knows his worth and won't let others take advantage of him.
Smi-know better than to trust gimmicks
Smino has learned from past experiences and isn't easily fooled by tricks or gimmicks.
Smino, more like Smi-Yeah
Smino is confident and proud of his identity and name.
Young Denzel train all day
Smino is dedicated to perfecting his craft and improving every day.
Run shit here, ya'll just live here
Smino is in charge and in control of his success, while others are merely living in his world.
Smino-ly Bible I live by
Smino has his own set of guidelines and morals that he follows to guide him towards success.
Cross my heart, hope to die nigga if I'm lying
Smino is honest and truthful in all aspects of his life and career.
Only bands make me march
Smino is motivated by financial success, and his drive to make money is what fuels him forward.
I beat the odds like a drum line
Smino has overcome obstacles and challenges on his journey to success, much like a drummer in a drum line.
And I ain't never in a rush
Smino takes his time and is patient in his pursuit of success.
I ain't no Russian, I'm a blkswn
Smino is not rushing through his journey, and he embraces his identity as a black artist and person.
Being timeless how I pass time
Smino is focused on creating something that will last and leave a lasting impact.
Scheming, plotting 'til it's attack time
Smino is always working towards his next move and planning how to attack the next opportunity.
Contributed by John Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@hisneknvd
4 years later and this still goes hard
@ChosenSinceBirth11
I can't get this song out my head
@pelpejonez3369
me either its pretty dope
@ghostwilliams4419
Jeremy Williams for real
@SpfySpaceJam
Listen to this then blkjuptr
@jvocalz9
@Jimmy Williams yea watcha want? This Jeremy Williams?
@ghostwilliams4419
@J Vocalz No
@goduckdong
The artwork is so nice.
@qwertyqwerty-tz9dd
REPPIN STL
@hairapalooza3320
Love how it's animated