If Nirvana is the Hypebeast office’s roof at golden hour, Smino surely took us there. As the sun set on a brisk Lower Manhattan afternoon, the rapper, in town for a quick 48 hours, shined (literally) in his bright pink hoodie, matching bust-down bandana and glimmering gold grills. The self-proclaimed “mr misfit but ain’t missed a fit in months” is a familiar face at global Fashion Week front rows and never shies away from flexing a fit check on his Instagram story. In fact, the last time we caught up with Smi was earlier this year after he debuted a new song during Paris Fashion Week.
But with his new album Maybe In Nirvana out now, he’s back in his music bag with his long-awaited prequel album to 2022’s Luv 4 Rent.
“This album sounds like a well-pressed starched suit,” he explains, noting that it feels more “grown-up” than its predecessor and that he feels his bars are no longer (occasionally) “childish”. In fact, Smino made Maybe In Nirvana before he made Luv 4 Rent back in 2020, but ultimately felt like he had to put the latter out into the world first once the pandemic lifted.
Nayquan Shuler
Maybe In Nirvana is a grown-up, more self-aware Smino, reflected in the album’s sonic composition of course, but also the aesthetic surrounding it.
“My new swag is no swag,” he laughs. If the album was translated into an outfit, he says it would span “big vintage silk scarves, giant long-sleeve t-shirts, Dragon Ball Z pants with the under cuff and fuzzy slippers.”
The similarly casual candor that clings to every beat Smino spits on is still prominent in Maybe In Nirvana, though it’s juxtaposed against what he calls “sexier” production and more matured melodies. “I didn’t realize how childish my bars used to be […] I was trying to be more grown on this one.”
Marking his fourth studio album, the 10-track offering is introspective, nostalgic and surely his most vulnerable LP yet.
Nayquan Shuler
Where does this album fall in your discography?
It marks the end of my most debaucherous era. When I wrote this album, I was going through a lot – but I was avoiding it by staying turnt, so I did a really good job at not thinking about any of the hard sh*t. But when I’d go into the studio, I’d be crying. Then I’d walk out and go right back to the lit tour life and avoid it all.
Why is this the end of your debauchery era?
It’s the end because I look back on those years before the pandemic and I’ve grown up so much since then. Maybe In Nirvana is about me confronting a lot of stuff I didn’t want to think about or talk about. I miss not knowing sh*t sometimes. “Ignorance is bliss” is so real. I never really understood that until now.
If you had to describe it, what does this album sound like?
This album sounds like a well-pressed, starched suit. I didn’t realize how childish my bars used to be. I was playing sh*t back like “Damn I be saying silly sh*t.” I was trying to be more grown on this one.
What are some of the more personal points of the album?
On “Dear Fren” I wanted to talk to my granny. She passed away when I was younger and I wanted to write a letter to her telling her all about everything I’ve done in recent years. I say “Dear Grandma, we made Coachella / We still flew close, but the culture feelin’ the fella.” The second verse is written to my little cousin and it’s me explaining how tour life is. That verse is a lot lighter. I’m like “Friend, met a lil’ thang out in New Orleans / Popped a lil’ X, talked about her ex.” It’s a more debaucherous second verse, but it’s still sweet.
Nayquan Shuler
Nayquan Shuler
Nayquan Shuler
What’s it like releasing such a project so long after you wrote it?
It’s incredibly nostalgic. I think about my granny and how she really was the one who got me into music. She inspired my dad to get me my first pair of bongos. I remember showing off in school in the first grade and she would sit there in her denim skirt and clap every time.
Could you say more about the features on Maybe In Nirvana?
I didn’t want to bring too many people onto this project. I like working with people who just want to make music. If you’re working just to put sh*t out, I’m not gonna want to work with you. One of my favorite songs on the album is with one of my favorite people, Ravyn Lenae. Bun B’s also on there. reggie. Thundercat – that track is like magnum opus Smino and Thundercat. It’s funny, Thundercat, reggie and I are all Libras. We always joke about making an ultimate Libra album with all the Libras in the industry. None of us would ever show up to the studio, though. We’d be too indecisive.
I heard some “Woah Kenny!” production tags on there too …
Of course. Kenny Beats and I made a million songs when I was putting together this album. I had so much music at that time – well, at all times I do but specifically at that time I had more than usual. We just locked in for a month straight.
Nayquan Shuler
Nayquan Shuler
Last time we talked, you were really into LOEWE, Bottega Veneta and Thug Club. What brands are you feeling right now?
I’m really into BLUEMARBLE and PDF right now. My all-time favorite brand is Acne. Today, I’m wearing my own sh*t on top and pants from the homies in Ghana. I’m still finding a lot of independent brands on Instagram, so shoutout to all the independent brands.
What do you want to see in fashion right now?
I love functional fashion and smart sh*t. I want to see bigger clothes. Bigger shirts, bigger pants, bigger everything.
How would you describe your current style?
My new swag is “no swag.” This fit I’m wearing today is “no swag.” It’s swag but no swag.
Why is that?
It’s “no swag” because I’m not trying. I’m just wearing a hoodie and Timbs. But it’s “swag” because I’ve got the custom bust-down bandana on with it.
Nayquan Shuler
Nayquan Shuler
Nayquan Shuler
What would be this album’s aesthetic?
Big vintage silk scarves, giant long-sleeve t-shirts, Dragon Ball Z pants with the undercuff and fuzzy slippers. That’s what I was wearing when I wrote it.
Did people’s expectations weigh on you when curating this album?
Not really. I’m good at ignoring my fans when I have to.
What about social media?
To me, controlling your narrative is the best thing you can do as an artist. If you get lost in the narrative, you lose the plot and ultimately lose everything. I’ve never had a problem with staying true to myself and my style, so I feel like it’d just be a big L on my part to now start focusing on what people think of me. That’s not to say I don’t listen to my fans, though. I do listen to them. One of my fans told me to put baby shoes on my crutches and I did it.
