INTERVIEW: D Smoke Talks New Album, Gang Life In Los Angeles, Vulnerability In Hip-Hop, & More

Two-time GRAMMY-nominated artist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, D Smoke, releases his unapologetic sophomore offering War & Wonders.

Smoke gained global notoriety in 2019 as champion and undisputed breakout star of Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow. Smoke showed himself as a raw lyricist.

We spoke to D Smoke about gang life in Los Angeles, the vulnerability in hip-hop, the Clippers moving to Inglewood, and more.

D Smoke,  congrats on the new album, and thank you for taking the time to speak with us.  How’s life in LA treating you?

Life in LA is lovely. Things are cooling down now that summer is officially over but we won’t see any snow, so we’re kind of spoiled in that regard. As far as the streets are concerned, Over here in LA, for us natives, we’ve always associated hot weather with a spike in gang violence so even the streets are mellowing out.  All in all, These times present their challenges but we keep putting one foot in front of the other and counting our blessings. 

The ‘War & Wonders’ album cover is very detailed and unique. Why did you decide on the cover and what does it mean to you?

That album cover was inspired by a piece that an artist named Aaron Williams did where slaves were holding each other up to help free their comrade.  After seeing this piece, I commissioned a hood version of it for the album. It represents all the beauty and struggle that all converge to help us liberate each other.  That’s what War and Wonders is about at its core. 

On the album you talk about gang banging over turf that you don’t own. LA is very gang present. Do you feel like those types of messages weren’t being presented to your generation while you were growing up in Inglewood?

While I was growing up there was a very one-dimensional narrative circulating through popular west coast rap. There wasn’t a wholistic picture of the pain and loss associated with gang life. It was glorified, and I believe that was intentional. Many of the same people that were invested in music business were also invested in private prisons. The music was the commercial and the prison was the product they were subversively selling. 

On ‘Mind My Business’ you say your wife drove you to sanity. In hip-hop you don’t usually see that kind of honesty.  Even in the culture today, it’s more toxic based.  Do you think it’s important to show a more vulnerable side?

I think it’s super important to be honest in music and vulnerability is just a part of that.  I think young artist often choose the same topics and approaches that they heard their favorite rappers take. I just believe that rap can grow to become both healthy and entertaining. We gotta let go of our limiting ways of viewing what strength and manhood look like. Appreciating and acknowledging the role of women should be normal. 

What's the key message you want listeners to take away from the album?

I want listeners to be inspired to find that silver lining in their own wars. Diamonds are created under immense pressure. We should celebrate when things get hard because we know the universe is molding us into our greatest self. 

I’ve been hearing a lot of praise from you BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher. That  “ Welcome to Jackson family, Im one but for sure aint Tito." line was a gem.  You’re very detailed with what you say instead of just making a statement. 

Thank you. I’m excited for the world to see how much talent and professional musical abilities my family actually possesses. I truly believe that we’re the current musical dynasty. 

Seeing as the Clippers are moving to Inglewood, does this mean you’re now a Clippers fan? Also, how important is it for a brand like the Clippers to move to Inglewood? 

I appreciate and root for the Clippers when they’re not playing the Lakers. They’ve been very supportive of my music and I had the pleasure of performing at one of the most competitive playoff games I’ve ever witnessed and the Clippers showed a lot of heart and came back from a 20 point deficit. I respect their heart as an organization. Now if they named themselves the Inglewood Clippers, I’d be a fan for life. 

Thanks again for speaking with us. ‘War & Wonders’ is special and a great album. 

Thank you!  I’m blessed to share my art with you and and hope to connect in person soon.