Music

D Smoke And SiR Testify In Their Worshipful ‘Closer To God’ Video

The Inglewood brothers share a simple video from D Smoke’s Grammy-nominated debut album. …

It has been nearly a year since D Smoke released his debut album Black Habits but fans were given a reason to revisit it (or discover it for the first time) when it was nominated for Best Rap Album in the upcoming 2021 Grammy Awards. To bolster its newfound popularity, D Smoke returned to the album once again to provide a visual treatment for one of its standout tracks: the ganja-praising anthem “Closer To God,” which is also a collaboration between D Smoke and his Top Dawg Entertainment-signed brother SiR.

The Inglewood, California siblings keep things simple in the “Closer To God” video, visiting a local church and giving testimony to the healing power of the ironically nicknamed devil’s lettuce. In the song, they wonder why they get high, concluding on the chorus “Maybe I’m tryna get closer to God.” The verses give D Smoke an opportunity to vent about the various stressors of life that prompt him to partake of the mood-elevating vegetable, from “corporations that fund genocide” to church sermons that “left me conflicted.” While the video only encompasses the first verse, it’s enough to get the point across.

Before making his critically acclaimed debut, D Smoke earned notoriety on Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow competition show, winning in the inaugural season after meeting West Coast legend Snoop Dogg’s early-season challenge and refusing to back down. Recently, D Smoke also appeared on fellow indie rapper Tobe Nwigwe’s “Headshots.”

Watch the “Closer To God” video above.

Artist Spotlight

“Empatia” by Aurien & Jab Vix set the tone for an atmospheric new era

“Empatia,“ the stunning electronic debut of Aurien, in collaboration with Jab Vix, is the start of a new creative universe under Aurien’s newly launched imprint Château Bonheur Musique. The track feels like a doorway into a curated emotional space, built from atmosphere, storytelling, and immersive sound design.

“Empatia” is founded upon a contemporary electronic aesthetics that favors texture. The production is sleek and considered, offering up soft rhythmic pulses within roomy layers that breathe. Working with Jab Vix gives texture and dynamics to Aurien’s perspective and sets the sound for the song. It’s more about feeling the music than looking for peaks of high energy. It builds slowly and invites you to sit in the mood.

A highlight is the “Elegant Mix,” which takes the original and gives it a more subdued, slicker makeover. It allows the heart of the composition to come through more intimately, and this duality reinforces the idea behind Château Bonheur Musique as environment, experience, and feeling. “Empatia” is a debut statement and manifesto for the immersive, emotionally intelligent electronic music that works as effortlessly as it does in shared spaces. It’s a thoughtful direction for Aurien, where sound is not just heard, but lived in.

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Artist Spotlight

Saint Escape injects an attitude into a classic for a new generation on latest release “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”

SAINT ESCAPE takes a classic favorite, “Everybody Wants To Rule The World,” and gives it a new twist, transforming the iconic hit into an alternative rock statement full of personality and modern flair.

Rather than just repeating a familiar song, Saint Escape offers a bold vision to the track. There’s a touch of “baddiecore-lite” attitude, married with alt-rock vibes, a feeling that seems tailor-made for those who love nostalgia but want something that speaks to today. The result is familiar, yet refreshingly different.

The track establishes its own identity right from the first moments. The alternative rock styling provides a sharper edge to the song’s timeless themes, making for a dynamic listening experience that feels vibrant and contemporary. With confidence in every note, the performance can stand on its own but still respect the legacy of the original.

While acknowledging the song’s emotional and cultural significance, Saint Escape also celebrates a more rebellious aesthetic. The “baddiecore-lite” influence adds an interesting attitude to the track, making it feel fun, confident and effortlessly cool.

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