Music

D Smoke’s Uplifting ‘It’s OK’ Video Showcases Some Talented Youth

The Grammy-nominated Inglewood rapper released the optimistic song just ahead of the new year. …

The new year is already off to an optimistic start thanks to the efforts of Inglewood’s breakout artist, D Smoke. The Grammy-nominated rapper returned with a brand-new song over the weekend, “It’s OK,” delivering a positive message and showcasing some talented youths in the song’s accompanying music video. D Smoke released the video today after debuting the song a few weeks ago.

The cleverly shot video sees D Smoke recruiting the kids as hype men, backup dancers, and musicians, as the video breaks down with a marching band and becoming an exuberant display of joy in a backlot. Throughout, D Smoke’s rapid-fire verses express his uplifting outlook — even when he flexes a pump-action shotgun and warns that he believes in using it for self-defense.

D Smoke, the winner of the inaugural season of Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow, is nominated for a Best Rap Album Grammy for his debut album, Black Habits. He most recently released the “Closer To God” video from the album with his brother SiR. He also appeared in Houston rapper Tobe Nwigwe’s “Headshots” video and collaborated with Berkley’s Rexx Life Raj on the song “Optimistic” for Empire’s Voices For Change compilation.

Watch D Smoke’s “It’s OK” video above.

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Artist Spotlight

BuYufu turns the symptoms of love into a soul-filled dance with “Side Effects May Include”

In “Side Effects May Include,” BuYufu has made the irrational symptoms of hopelessly falling in love playful and highly musical. Love’s a hell of a drug, and it has some weird side effects. Missed calls, dancing on the spot, and acting completely out of character. It’s a simple idea, but the track really brings it to life.

It’s written as a song for a 70s soul club performance, influenced by crossover soul, northern soul, Afro-Cuban soul, and Latin soul. Horns, strings, shuffle guitar, Latin percussion, Hammond organ, and an active drum break surround the song’s central feeling. The arrangement keeps the song feeling lively, but the vintage influence is very clear.

“Side Effects May Include,” has subtle callbacks for those who have been following the project. This connection gives the song a sense of finality. It’s warm, raw, and deliberately human in its subject matter, capturing the odd thrill of love while showing how an old-school soul feeling can still speak naturally to the present.

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Artist Spotlight

Captain Iron / Windrift Band turns salsa into a celebration with latest release “Viva La Rosa”

Captain Iron / Windrift Band’s “Viva La Rosa” is a fun salsa anthem emphasizing movement and togetherness, a high-energy invitation to the dance floor. This is the vibe of a salsa party that wants everyone to get down, with Captain Iron shouting out “amigas” and keeping the excitement alive. Windrift’s 808 bass, flamenco guitar, and sax push the groove forward.

The lyrics leave no doubt about what the song is about, “Don’t get too relaxed, the next song’s playing. So we’re going back for some rockin’ Salsa is a dance that makes you move to the beat. The beat goes on, ‘The beat leads you on, raising the heat takes a salsa to move you off your feet.

It paints a picture of people letting the music take over and dancing to the beat. “Viva La Rosa” is about dance, movement, and fun. “So dance into the salsa as the rhythm moves ya” is a perfect invitation, while “Dance into the sound, swaying all around” keeps the song’s carefree party spirit.

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