Daniel Anthony Farris, known professionally as D Smoke, is an American rapper and songwriter from Inglewood, California. He gained attention after winning the first season of the Netflix music competition show, Rhythm & Flow in 2019. His debut album, 'Black Habits,' is a collection of his most personal moments.
Despite comparisons to Kendrick Lamar, who is labelmates with Smoke's brother SiR on TDE, the rapper is less interested in the nepotism attached to his brother's success. After winning a $250,000 cash prize, Smoke released Inglewood High, a seven-track EP paying homage to the high school where he attended and eventually taught.
The portrait on his debut album is only a snapshot of Smoke's life, capturing the joy of his family as photographs often do. This picture, however, isn't the cookie-cutter image of a family in front of their white picket fence. Ronald, Smoke's father, was sentenced to 17 years at Mule Creek State Prison before receiving an appeal after serving six-and-a-half years in 1993. His mother, Jackie, was a famed background singer and music instructor, but eventually, his parents' struggle with drug addiction and incarceration colored his childhood in Inglewood. Through it all, D Smoke is nothing without his family. Everyone on the album cover is featured throughout the project. D Smoke is an amazing artist and I believe he is next.
"The consciousness of Black people is raising to be more aware of the need to purchase, own, and invest. Regardless of the consequences, it's what has to be done. The people who accept that sense of responsibility aren't discouraged by that. I'm not discouraged by it. It only makes me feel a greater sense of responsibility to take up that mantle that Nipsey took on." - D Smoke
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