photo credit: Power 106

D Smoke comes from a lineage of black culture and musical influence. With the success of becoming the first champ of Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow, Smoke is now in full artist mode, presenting his artistry to the his growing fans and his peers.

Speaking with Justin Credible and DJ Sourmilk on his debut album ‘Black Habits’, the Inglewood native talks the creative process and connection he had with Dreamville songstress Ari Lennox.

When she went in and did what she did, I was like, “Oh, let me fall back.” You know what I’m saying?  Because she just blessed it, she fell right in to pocket. Added an energy that I didn’t already put.

Although Smoke is the current reigning champ of the Netflix show, the LA native admitted that the show’s producers reached out to him because of his growing YouTube series, he was reluctant to take the offer. Smoke’s “Run The Subtitles” was gaining momentum which led the rapper to believe that he did not want to be a part of the competition because his art is not meant to be open to critique.  With artists like Snoop Dogg, Tyrese, Jill Scott, and many more showing love to his developing series, Smoke felt the show wouldn’t have been a good vibe for him artistically.

Smoke also goes on to reveal that early on during Rhythm + Flow production, he felt out of place because of his style and delivery of hip hop. Smoke kept the late Nipsey Hussle’s mentality when it came to his process which didn’t allow him to believe that he was in a competition. Smoke tells the Leakers of the experience saying, “I’m not here to be judged. I’m not here to be critiqued.”

D Smoke goes on to speak on the relationships he developed with Cardi B and T.I., shares what it was like growing up and being inspired by Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, his background becoming fluent in Spanish while in college, and also describes how he came to work with Los Angeles legend Snoop Dogg and The Game.

Peep the full interview with the L.A. Leakers below!