St. Louis based rapper Smino delivered a groovy night in Houston at the White Oak Music Hall with support from Samara Cyn.
Originally from St. Louis, Smino is an artist whose unique sound and delivery make him stand out from the rest. Specifically, he fuses genres like R&B, hip-hop, and neo-soul. Furthermore, with a musical background as a drummer, he intuitively finds rhythmic pockets that only a drummer knows. Having dropped his most recent project, Maybe In Nirvana, late last year, he is now touring across the states with the support of Samara Joy.
As the sun set, the crew set up the stage for the night’s star, Smino. Notably, the stage featured a DJ setup that looked like a BBQ grill; in addition, it included the front of a house with a functioning door, which Smino walked in and out of throughout his set. Adding to the local flavor, he wore a Houston Rockets jersey with Yao Ming on the back. To kick off the night, he opened with tracks like “KLINK,” “Tequan,” and “90 Proof.” Consequently, fans of all ages filled the White Oak Music Hall Lawn with great energy and great outfits.
One thing that makes a Smino concert special is the live band experience. Indeed, behind the intricate house setup was a full band, skillfully playing alongside him and adding a fresh, dynamic texture to his already beloved tracks. Furthermore, he even spotlighted his talent by letting his guitarist emerge from the “house” to deliver an impressive solo. Moreover, clever skits and seamless transitions were woven throughout the performance, contributing a uniquely engaging element. Notably, a true highlight occurred when a performer comically pretended to deliver pizza to the house set, providing a smooth segue into “Netflix & Dusse,” a fan-favorite song that fittingly begins with the memorable lyrics: “I got a pizza on the way bae bae.”
As this was his Kountry Kousins Tour, his team surprised Smino by bringing out his “Kountry Kousin,” Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, to recognize him on stage for consistently stopping by Houston on every tour and for his ongoing support of the city’s communities and artists. This was great to see, as the attorney shared that he’s been a longtime fan.
The St. Louis artist kept the night going with fan favorites from his entire discography, including “SPINZ,” “Anita,” and “Lee & Lovie.”
The groovy night wrapped up with hits like “Z4L,” and then transitioned into an intimate encore near the merch booth, where he performed “Amphetamine.” Ultimately, Smino is an artist who continues to carve his own lane in the music industry, and it’s fun to watch him grow. Therefore, if you have the chance, catch one of his shows as he continues his tour across the states!
Hi! I am a photographer and music journalist based in Houston, TX. Some of my favorite artists are Ari Lennox, JID, and Smino. In my free time, I collect vinyls, cds, and host a web series called "Leydi Listens."
