D Smoke gets a lot of comparison to Kendrick Lamar which is probably annoying and flattering for him all at the same time. But the similarities are striking— both are from southwest LA (Inglewood and Compton respectively), heavily incorporate jazz samples into their compositions, run through bars with a frenetic flow, and are gifted storytellers who seamlessly bring you into their world immediately and paint a vivid picture of their life.
Black Habits is an immensely enjoyable ride that covers a large amount of ground, from incredibly personal themes (especially “Like My Daddy” that details his relationship with his father and “Free” which weaves in and out of first person and third person accounts of people in his life) to certified bangers (“Gaspar Yanga” features Snoop Dogg which really says it all).
It’s made even more interesting with the incorporation of Spanish into D Smoke’s lyrics. Before becoming a professional musician he was actually a high school Spanish teacher, and considering the influx of Latin music into the mainstream in America, this extra element in his repertoire feels like a natural evolution vs. just a silly gimmick. It’s a great change of pace that keeps you on your toes through the entire album and adds a depth to the story that continuously pays off.
Standout Songs: “Bullies”, “Black Habits I”, “Free”, “Like My Daddy”
