This week’s session features music by Southern California musician, D Smoke performing “No Commas” and “Top of the Morning” accompanied by art by Tony Whlgn.
Hip Hop artist D Smoke, aka Daniel Anthony Farris, is the breakout star from the Netflix music competition show, Rhythm & Flow. As a vocalist, pianist, writer, and producer, D Smoke stood out among the pack because of his undeniable passion and meticulously crafted rhymes.
Growing up in a musical family in Inglewood, CA, it’s no surprise his music carries an authentic story alongside compelling production and beats. His words are often contemplative and aware.
In 2019, with the exposure of being named the winner of Rhythm & Flow, D Smoke released his EP Inglewood High and later in February of 2020 dropped his first studio album, Black Habits. The record is his life story and a “celebration of blackness”. He broke it down by saying, “I’m really collecting the best parts of my past and trying to build on those. Take people through somewhat of a history. A journey with me through my experiences.”
Watch Rhythm + Flow on Netflix and listen to D Smoke on the Vans Spotify Sidestripe Sessions Playlist: https://bit.ly/VansSpotifySidestripe
Art in this episode is created by Tony Whlgn, a multi-disciplined artist born and raised on the Eastside of Detroit. He has created art for various music albums, global fashion brands and countless murals found throughout his hometown, Detroit, where he currently lives and works. As a way to reinvest and provide the necessary learning tools for young creatives in his community, Tony and friends’ formed Whlgn®, a holistic think tank of collective creative entrepreneur studios.
Tony’s art is an imitation of his life and reflection of those he has encountered; people & experience teach us who we are. Through natural self-expression, his art should inspire engagement with self-knowledge and knowledge of the whole world, which, in a sense, is Self. Oneself. Whlgn®. TONEy.
Music Credits: “No Commas” “Top of the Morning”
