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.
Artist Spotlight
Atmo Nura creates lasting emotion from fading memories in “Last Real Song”
Atmo Nura releases “Last Real Song,” which brings a deeply emotional experience. A song that explores the memories, voices, and emotions that won’t go away, even as time passes. Against the glow of a motel and the endless sunsets of summer, the song gently blurs the lines between yesterday and today, creating a reflective mood that is both cinematic and intimate. It’s a thoughtful piece that asks listeners to sit with each emotion, not speed through it.
The production supports that vision with lovely drums, a steady beat, and chilly hi-hats that keep a calm, compelling momentum going throughout. Every instrumental layer is in service to the storytelling, never overpowering it, so that the emotions are always at the forefront. It is in the development of the song with the lines, “This is the last real song” and “you don’t hear it with your ears, you feel it with your soul,” that the message seeps in organically into the listener’s imagination, further cementing the song’s reflective nature.
“Last Real Song,” written, performed, and envisioned entirely by Atmo Nura, is an artistic statement borne out of emotion and atmosphere. It’s a listening experience that resonates long after the final note, leaving a lasting emotional impression, thanks to a judicious mix of evocative imagery, heartfelt storytelling, and understated production.
Artist Spotlight
Kae Sera lights up the night with irresistible emotion on latest release “THE MOON”
Kae Sera is back with a fresh take on “THE MOON,” reimagining her most-streamed original as a late-night summer house anthem that feels intimate and expansive at the same time. The sultry vocals are based on a moody atmosphere and a sense of understated confidence that allows every musical detail to breathe. The fluid production makes for an inviting place where emotion and rhythm can flow together easily. This rework feels both familiar and fresh.
From the snap of the opening kick and the tight percussion to the cool chord progression, the production lays down a hypnotic pulse that gently pulls the listener into the song’s orbit. The performance immediately grabs the audience with opening lines such as “you wanna know my story” and “my words are expensive and they are not for sale” and uses subtle expression rather than excess. The track glows naturally late at night, thanks to the contrast between its muted instrumentation and expressive vocals.
“THE MOON” is particularly memorable for its combination of dancefloor appeal and emotional depth. The rhythm is house-inspired, but it never detracts from the reflective mood, and everything adds up to a complete listening experience. Kae Sera takes a much-loved original and turns it into something new, sophisticated, and emotionally resonant, delivering an album that stays with you long after the music ends.
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Guest
October 7, 2023 at 4:12 pm
D Smoke’s ‘It’s OK’ video is a brilliant showcase of talented youth, offering a refreshing and optimistic perspective. Released just before the new year, the Grammy-nominated Inglewood rapper has once again proven his ability to create meaningful and uplifting content. This product is not just a song, but a message of hope and inspiration, making it a must-watch for all music lovers.