Y’all have never heard me mention St. Louis rapper/singer Smino before now. And after checking out his live show at the Delmar Hall Sunday night, I feel that I have done the ultimate disservice by not being hip to him. It’s a good thing that he saved his hometown show for last. Because had there been any other dates on his “Swanita” tour, I would have stopped my life in its tracks to follow him across the country like a Grateful Dead fan. The show was sold out – as it should have been – and by the time he dropped the microphone I was a devoted “Sminohead.” His band had me at that glorious sound check that proved they have the range. And then Smino hobbled out on crutches with baby Air Force Ones that matched his own footwear. With a fractured ankle, he served up a show that clocked every rising hip-hop star’s early stage offering that I’ve seen in the past ten years. He sings, he raps and he utterly slays a stage. Even when he should’ve been on the sick-and-shut-in list, he gave St. Louis a reason to be super proud that he reps for us on the national rap scene. I know I haven’t said anything about him until now, but Smino already has the momentum going to be the next big thing for St. Louis hip-hop and the talent to back it up.
