Smino

Christopher Bjorn Smith Jr., known professionally as Smino, was born on October 2, 1991, in St. Louis, Missouri. Raised in a musical family, with a father who played keys, a mother who sang, and a grandfather who played bass for Muddy Waters, Smino developed an early connection to music. He began playing drums at age seven in his church band and also started singing. After graduating from Hazelwood Central High School in 2010, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, to attend Columbia College Chicago, where he met his future manager and began his professional music career.

Smino’s career began to take shape between 2009 and 2013, initially performing as C. Smi in a rap duo called “Young Dumb and Outta Control” (YDOC), releasing three mixtapes including ‘Retail.’ He released his first solo mixtape, ‘Smeezy Dot Com,’ in 2012. In 2015, he released two EPs, ‘S!Ck S!Ck S!Ck’ and ‘Blkjuptr,’ which further solidified his presence in the music scene. His debut studio album, ‘blkswn,’ was released in 2017 to critical acclaim, followed by ‘NØIR’ in 2018 and ‘Luv 4 Rent’ in 2022. These projects showcased his unique sound, which he describes as futuristic funk and soulful rap, often integrating elements of Midwestern hip-hop and neo-soul.

Beyond his solo work, Smino is the founder of the musical collective Zero Fatigue, a group that includes artists such as Monte Booker, Jay2, and Ravyn Lenae. He is also a member of the supergroup Ghetto Sage with Saba and Noname. Smino signed a record deal with Motown in partnership with his independent label Zero Fatigue in 2021, marking a significant step in his career. His work extends to fashion, with a notable creation of satin-lined hoodies called “Silk Pillows,” addressing functional needs for hair protection. His annual “Kribmas” concert and fundraising event in St. Louis demonstrate his commitment to his hometown and community engagement.