Smino the Hero From the Krib

Written By Contraband$

Born as Christopher Smith Jr. raised in a home of musicians influenced by jazz and instruments. With a rich bloodline & blessed as one of “Hip-Hops most refreshing Voices” by Pitchfork. St.Louis’ own Smino dropped his third studio album October 28th this past year , with collaborations from Lil Uzi Vert , Lucky Daye , J.Cole , Cruza , Doechii , and Fatman Scoop just to name a few the album has a impressive track list. Different sounds and different vibes. I heard Smino prior not recognizing that he was from the “Krib”. December 18th , 2022 shortly after the drop of the album he came home for “Kribmas”. A highly anticipated annual event held at the Stifel Theater , were proceeds went to the BlkSwn rapper’s charity the Kribmas Foundation. The album BlkSwn was deemed “40 Best Rap Albums of 2022″ by  Rolling Stone.” 

Smino is known for his sultry sound , easily transitioning from bars to vocals. The features on Luv 4 Rent are from another galaxy! The featured tracks are simply tide surfin’. Handpicked and handcrafted! Perfectly executed! He had to have created this album with the intent of giving us an escape. This album has the power to elevate your mind and yet allow you to eliminate the outside world. Smino is truly gifted and lyrically enchanting! Smino has worked with a plethora of artist in such a short time. Fans are wondering what he’s cooking next in his “kitchen” from working with Dreamville , EarthGang , Monte Booker , Jay2 , and Ravyn Lenae many fans are on edge with what’s to potentially come from this already greatly accomplished young artist. With almost 1 billion career streams Luv 4 Rent is on all streaming platforms go catch it before the next project. Wouldn’t want to end up on the other side of Zoink Gang!

Luv 4 Rent Album Cover

Single Photo is Color Studios Credit

Track list credit is Genius.com

Nice To Meet Ya: Meet LuhDave

Written By Contraband$

An artist of this caliber is sometimes shard to find! Literally a needle in a haystack. To appreciate the woman is to appreciate the essence of life’s beauty and all it has to offer. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. LuhDave is the beholder and a genre of his own, from spitting bars to making the ladies quiver with his baritone vocals. The St. Louis based artist is ready to showcase his talents more focused and determined as ever as he’s picked up the mic and hung up his NFL envisioned cleats. Here’s to determination! Let’s propel him forward. Check him out here first, at the source, and home of hip-hop.

As we hear the lyrics to the single ” Nice To Meet Ya” we can hear the admiration of what the woman embodies and carries. The woman is the most valuable thing on this planet. LuhDave poetically serenades what’s to be appreciated as he encounters a woman worth appreciating with a twist of Afro- Latin sound. He emphasizes her features and womanhood!

Words By Contraband$

Fresco Kane “No Love” New Music

“Got my mask on, like Manson, negative, no Covid,” – Fresco Kane, who’s back with his latest offering ‘No Love’ is out everywhere.

The 3 6 Mafia inspired record is radio & street approved, click here to find your favorite streaming option & press play below to hear most of it right now via Instagram.

Businessman Skinny “Stretch” new street single

Businessman Skinny takes it back to the trap with his latest single “Stretch” available on all platforms. Backed by an ominous instrumental, Skinny goes through the process & culture of moving weight throughout the Midwest. Click here to find it on Spotify, or listen to it below via YouTube.

Baby Skeet “LLC Freestyle” shot by @Vickmontfilms

Skeet Gang Captain Baby Skeet started the year by announcing his new year resolution to be the hardest rap artist in the St.Louis, & with in the 1st 20 days of the year he’s locked in his 1st headlining show of the year, February 9th at the Ambassador, a featured performance in Central Illinois for the 1st ever Connects Tuesday, & of course new visuals for his Money Man inspired freestyle “LLC,” check it out below.

A glimpse at Hayzie P’s 2020 playlist & features

This current pandemic has definitely soured a lot of plans & project funding’s with layoffs & state mandates keeping most of us in the house & out of the booth.

That hasn’t stopped St.Louis based artist Hayzie P who dropped his latest project Collab Tape 2.5, 11 tracks all with St.Louis collaborations. To check it out click here.

Besides releasing the Stl inspired tape, Hayzie P has continued to stay active through out this pandemic doing features with artist in the city & showing out on camera, a perfect example would be his presence on the Zo Vanguard Pandemic anthem “My Strguggle,” video below. With this year far from over be on the look out for more from Hayzie. To stay up to date with him follow him @hayzelman1 IG & @thehayzel1 on Twitter.

Gabina will bring her #1Hit”Bossed Up” to the Stage Sept. 4th at the Blank Space

Gabina

Gabina, Hip Hop artist & song writer & producer of what she knows in her heart is a number 1 hit single “Bossed up”has been hitting the stage all summer long promoting the single. Wednesday Sept. 4th she will be performing it for the 1st time in front of Def Jam A & R Big Heff & others as part of the Big Heff Industry Tour at the Blank Space on Cherokee street in South St.Louis. Her knew single “Bossed Up” is out now everywhere good music is heard. Check out her 1st performance of the song below via youtube.

For more info about performing in front of Def Jam A & R Big Heff August 4th text 3146296404 or dm @Whobeta on Instagram. Be sure to follow Big Heff on Instagram @BigheffMidwestfresh.

Acclaimed artist Reace Yung expects to Impress Sept. 4th at Voce

R1

St.Louis native & acclaimed Hip Hop artist ReaceYung is returning home September 4th, performing live at the Blank Space on Cherokee Street. With an assortment of collaborations, & cosigns Yung plans on establishing 1 more as Def Jam A & R Quincy Taylor better known in the music world as Big Heff will be in the building looking to be inspired by the middle of the map.

Admission to catch ReaceYung is $10 & doors open at 8:30 for more info or to perform text 3146296404. Follow me on twitter/Ig @Whobeta and follow Big Heff on Instagram @BigHeffmidwestfresh

Check out Reace Yung’s latest music video “Rain” below.

Def Jams ears will be listening in the St.Louis Sept. 4th

 

St.Louis has had its share of success rapper platinum rappers & producers like Nelly & Metro Boomin, and we are still making splashes in the industry with new comers Smino, XXL freshman Comethazine, & QC artist Layton Greene. Quincy Taylor better known at Def Jam and through out the industry as Big Heff will be in down town St.Louis listening to up & coming talent and bringing artist from across the Midwest to network with the Lou September 4th. For more info on how you can be apart of this opportunity text 3146296404 or Dm @Whobeta on Instagram, twitter, or Facebook.

heff.jpg

 

J Murphy become’s the Youngest artist to perform at Rob boo’s Freshman Class Showcase Series

JM2Created in 2011 as a platform to showcase new artist on the rise. Through out the 8 year run the Freshman Class showcase has featured some of St.Louis favorite artist, all at least old enough to legally drive, until now. J Murphy only 13 years old is now the youngest artist ever to be hand picked for the elite showcase,and rightfully deserves it.In his short time as a hip hop artist he has a long list of accomplishments, headlining shows, performing at schools,a profiting merch line, and a new Ep “The Beginning” out now on most streaming platform, & to many other things to type.

JM1

The next Freshman Class concert is April 26th at the newly reopened Blank Space with performances from Rob Boo freshman picks Tigrenolo, Hello Jizoo, Tommo, Desi Dezz to name a few with a special performance from for Freshman Class alumni Riley B. For more info about this event, or to possibly become a Freshman class pick in the future, contact Robert Rob Boo Ford via facebook.