Maybe In Nirvana

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Smino’s fourth studio album begins with a tribute to a dearly departed family member. After a brief intro, the St. Louis rapper kicks off his first album since 2022’s <i>Luv 4 Rent</i> by updating his late grandmother on all that’s happened since her passing: “Dear Grandma, we made Coachella/We still flew coach, but the culture feelin’ the fella.” A few bars later, he adds, “Dear Grammy, we made it to the Grammys/I took my daddy, good to see him happy.” This sentimentality infuses the entirety of the hyper-verbose artist’s album. Whether reflecting on past loves, future pursuits, or the people who have departed from this plane, Smino uses music to keep their spirits alive. His is a world of deeply felt presences, of conjuring up brand-new ways of thinking about age-old ideas. Take the title track, where he ponders how life as a rap star impacts his ability to dedicate himself to a partner. He compares it to the process of home ownership, cleverly spitting, “I only can rent it out/Or a lease, at least it’s me.”

via Apple Music