My dude, it is so great to have you here.
And you walked out to the new track, right?
Yes, I did.
Yeah.
I love that.
We're going to get to that in just a second.
So you grew up in Inglewood working as a teacher,
and obviously, you've put a lot of that
into the music that is perhaps music for you.
Absolutely.
Now it's been two years since you won Rhythm + Flow,
and do your students still--
how was that having your students witnessed that?
Man, it's one of those moments where you're just so proud.
A lot of people, when I tell them I'm a teacher,
they're like, OK, you spent some time in the classroom.
But the general public doesn't see those moments
when you have to let the students out but keep one back
and talk to them and really help them
work through the things in their personal life.
They don't see those moments where
you have PB and J in your closet because they come in,
and they're like, I didn't have anything to eat.
Can I have some money.
So when you really connect with people that way, when you win,
and they see you, they witnessed that,
then they feel like they won as well.
Absolutely.
When I see my students in public,
just the look in their faces, it's like, fair,
he really did that.
That's incredible, man.
Yeah, could clap for that.
I love that.
Absolutely.
Now I've got to ask, man, at Rhythm + Flow,
do you keep in touch with any of the judges from the show?
Absolutely.
All of the judges are like following the movement
because you don't take it for granted
that after you win a competition show,
you actually know what it means to build an entire movement.
Because a lot of artists are finding out now,
it takes more than talent to really have
longevity in this industry.
Obviously, I'm a huge fan.
I've been following, I've listened
to interviews, and the way that you move through the community
and also how strategic and intentional
that your moves have been made is just incredible.
Which leads me to this next point.
You have a new track dropping tomorrow.
Yes.
And you have your nephew on the track, which
has been like your protege-- which has been
your protege for some time.
Absolutely.
So please tell us about the track.
OK, So the track is called Kinfolk and Kinfolk
is a celebration of Blackness.
And then on the hook is my nephew.
The way the song came about, I'm playing this beat that I had,
not knowing that he already had the beat.
And I'm like, man, I'm trying to come up with something to this.
And he was like, man, I actually wrote something to this,
so he played it for me.
And it was Kinfolk.
It was like this here for my kinfolk.
And I was like, OK, that kind of sticks.
And then he went into the, pick in they afros smell
like Murray's tryin' durags down.
Don't be sad to say what's happening,
you know you love the sound.
Don't brush against them waves, keep head rags on them braids.
And I'm like, who is this kid?
You know what I'm saying?
I was just so proud.
And I told him like, hey, let me have it.
Let me have it.
But I'll put you on a song because his character's
so strong that I also trust him with whatever opportunities
come of it, whatever publicity, he's
just one of those people that's so grounded even so young.
So I'm excited to share that moment
with a member of my family.
And internally, you must be-- you also
got to be patting yourself on the back for that, too, right?
Because if it's truly everything that you've been pouring out
as a teacher, as a mentor, to see something
like that reflected back to you when you barely even respected
it, that must be nice, man.
Oh, absolutely.
Absolutely.
I feel like the future is bright.
If I was to start rapping today, I was like, OK,
it's in good hands.
Incredible, man.
Now before we go, I understand you've got some exciting news
to share.
Absolutely.
On February 14, 2021, I got engaged.
So I'm proud to say that, yes, I got engaged.
I mean, I'm not telling you anything you don't know,
but there's nothing more important than family to me.
And I've spent so many years making sure
that my mom and my dad, my brothers, cousins, are OK.
And just learning things about myself and taking my time,
taking my time selecting or just growing
with people who I can see myself be in a future with.
So my fiance's name is Angelina.
She's a brilliant artist, writer, and violinist.
And so we connected through music, and we grew.
That's awesome, man.
Beautiful thing.
Let's clap it up one more time, y'all.
D Smoke's new song Kinfolk featuring nephew, Ric, is now
streaming on Apple Music.
It's D Smoke.
We'll be right back.