Yesterday, Friday the 13th was not only Friday the 13th, but my birthday as well. Over the past several weeks till probably about a week or so ago I was still deciding what I wanted to do for my birthday and finally ending up deciding on despite not really being too big of a fan or even really knowing a lot of his music to check out Smino’s Chicago stop of his Kountry Kousins Tour at the Salt Shed. Admittedly more so because I am a fan of his opening act, Samara Cyn, and wanted to see her live, but also because I have heard how great of a live performer that Smino is as well and how whether you are a longtime fan or new that he is someone if you ever get the chance to see live that you should. Which he definitely proved last night during his sold-out Chicago show.
Chicago always being like a second home to the St. Louis-bred rapper, he showed throughout the performance several reasons why. Whether it be his amazing stage presence full of charisma, charm and wit to his very welcoming stage setup of a Southern-style house complete with a front porch that his name was neon light on top and his very stellar live band played inside the structure of. His DJ and mixer also working from a BBQ-style pit in the front. That gave the whole night a sense of that welcoming neighborhood St. Louis and Midwest, “Kountry Kousins” flair, a lot of people from different areas of Chicago can relate to. Feeling very warm, familiar, intimate and full of that great Midwest flavor. Smino definitely showed with his unique sound and soulful swagger how he so easily and seamlessly controls the stage throughout a performance. Whether it be with such familiar songs as No L’s to Wild Irish Roses, Netflix & Dusse, Z4L, 90 Proof. To somewhat not as familiar like dear fren, SUMMER SALT and Ole Ass Kendrick.
Smino had the sold-out Chicago crowd vibing, rapping and singing along from virtually the beginning to end of his nearly 90-minute or so plus set. Even adding little anecdotes on how certain tracks came about like, 1993, from the Dreamville compilation before performing them. Or how much he has love for Chicago before about a quarter to midway or so bringing out Chicago’s very own, Chance the Rapper, to which the crowd went crazy for Chance performing his hit single, No Problem and staying out to perform his and Smino’s The Big Day collaboration track, Eternal. The way that Smino so seamlessly fused the musicianship of his band along with his stellar stage presence really elevating the live aspect into a full on immersive live experience for certain tracks like Wild Irish Roses, Rice & Gravy and Netflix & Dusse, as well as Maybe In Nirvana you really need to see live to appreciate even more.
Some other highlights from Smino’s performance were when the whole sold-out Chicago crowd sang in such unison for when he performed Netflix & Dusse and had everyone from the front to the back and even up top parts of the venue vibing in such unison to the J. Cole featured, 90 Proof. As well as his closing string of such hits as Amphetamine and Z4L, that really showed off Smino’s very amazing abilities and diversity to so seamlessly weave from falsetto runs to switching flows and riding the live instrumentation like a true veteran performer. Shows how even though this was only my first time seeing him live, you can see how much he has grown as a performer too. You also got to love how Smino closed the show by bringing Samara Cyn back out to introduce and thank her, as well as say how this definitely wouldn’t be the last time you see or hear of her before they performed their recently released collaboration, brand new teeth. Showing off their seamless chemistry together.
Samara Cyn, when she opened the show, was a pretty solid performer too for being still a newer artist. Her own ability to weave so seamlessly with her flows with such ease something that not even a lot of veteran performers have down pat. Some highlights from her performance to open the show being when she performed Chrome and 100sqft. As well as when she performed her very popular Green Eyes Freestyle, which you have to absolutely see live. Whether it was the base in the venue being too loud. There was some aspects of her live performance that Samara definitely still needs to work on, but as I already mentioned she was a pretty overall solid performer for still being a newer artist and that I am really glad I got to see live for my birthday. Her speech of no matter how long it takes to achieve something you are trying to as a goal, no matter whether it is five to nine years or sometimes even longer you need to before she performed, Chrome. Definitely very inspiring and something I and I am sure a lot of others needed to hear and appreciate last night too. That shows her empathy as not only an artist, but human being which is why like Smino said she definitely will be around for a long time and this wouldn’t be the last you hear of Samara Cyn.
Overall the show was a very immerse, intimate and great experience that you definitely need to experience live if you get a chance to and I was glad to for my Friday the 13th birthday! So whether you are a longtime fan or still sort of newer fan or not even really yet a fan of Smino, after you see him live you will definitely most likely be a fan of his after seeing him live. Which if you are in any of the remaining states for the end of the Kountry Kousins Tour. I highly recommend you see live and don’t want to miss. Also don’t skip out on seeing Samara Cyn opening the show as well.