Music

Smino Shares The Full New York Performance Of His Hoopti Tour

The St. Louis star pulled out all the stops at Brooklyn Steel. …

In 2019, Smino embarked on his national Hoopti Tour, bringing songs from his albums Blkswn and Noir to audiences from his adopted hometown Chicago to Albuquerque, New Mexico alongside guest artists Dreezy, Ravyn Lenae, and Valee, as well as Earthgang, who joined him when Uproxx caught his Los Angeles tour stop. In 2020, however, Smino’s touring was curtailed just like everyone else as a global pandemic shut down the live entertainment industry just when Smino had finished his third album.

In the absence of a viable venue to capitalize on the buzz from his recent appearances on Ari Lennox’s Shea Butter Baby Remix EP, Thundercat’s “Dragonball Durag” remix (also featuring Guapdad 4000), and MadeInTYO’s “BET Uncut” with Chance The Rapper, Smino instead shared a throwback with fans, inviting those who missed out on the Hoopti Tour to catch his performance in full via a tour video shot during his New York stop.

Shot at Brooklyn Steel, the hour-long performance features Smino’s full Zero Fatigue crew, behind-the-scenes footage, and of course, performances of all his fan-favorite songs, including “Anita,” “Wild Irish Roses,” “Netflix & Dusse,” and “Klink.” It’s a fire way for the supremely creative St. Louisan talent to keep his fans sated as they await the release of his third album. They can also check out his surprise, quarantine-recorded mixtape, She Already Decided.

Watch the hour-long performance above.

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Album Review

Dian Sheng explores identity, life and love with “Sid” album

Dian Sheng releases his long-awaited first English-language album, “Sid,” a genre-defying collection of songs that includes pop, rock, electronic, and jazz. “Sid” is a deep, meditative exploration of identity, relationships, and self-growth, spanning 29 minutes and 12 seconds across eight tracks. This album is a personal exploration of the complex emotions of mankind and the vitality and jubilation of life.

From the opening track, “Right Now,” Dian Sheng establishes a sense of urgency and reflection. The upbeat song “I Come From Far” examines the connection between the self and one’s environment. It has joyful beats and layers that make you think and feel like part of the narrative.

The jazz ballad “Undecided Love” delves into the complexities of modern romance, featuring tender vocals and instrumentation that showcase Sheng’s delicate touch as a songwriter. “It Will Be Alright” is an empowering anthem about overcoming life’s biggest obstacles, combining electronic beats with a rock influence.

“Seventeen” is bursting with youthful energy, and its production captures the restlessness and emotionality of adolescent life. Two introspective songs with similar atmospheres, “The Way Before” and “This Life,” match chilling melodies with moving lyrics that touch on bygone relationships, self-awareness, and the quest for meaning we all experience.

The album concludes with “Shining As Your Name,” and the final few minutes of this piece alone evoke a strong sense of hope. Dian Sheng demonstrates his ability to join emotional depth with new styles. “Sid” is an invitation into the rich musical universe of Dian Sheng, where you can both consider yourself and feel influenced.

Written by:

Faith Koch

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Artist Spotlight

Feel the vibe with Sporty-O’s new EP “The P.L.U.R. Project,” a blend of emotions and sound

“The P.L.U.R. Project” begins like a rush of light across a crowded dance floor as jubilant, purposeful, and very human. This seven-song, 29-minute journey from the EDM pioneer Sporty-O is a cultural reset built around peace, love, unity, and respect.

Sporty-O establishes the emotional timbre for the entire project from the first track of its lead single, “Spirit Higher.” The song is anthemic, its purposes well outlined despite a high-gloss production. It’s a centerpiece that establishes the mood of an intensive exploration of sound and self-awareness.

“The P.L.U.R. Project” is just as much about managing your feelings as it is about moving. Sporty-O creates each record with intention, writing things that make people think on the dance floor. Another high-energy song is “Happy Together,” with Lorme and Chris Willis, pulsing warmth and togetherness. “SOLD!” has a clean, feel-good sound that embodies the community spirit of EDM culture.

Sporty-O embraces a multi-genre EDM palette on the EP, fusing forward-thinking sounds with uptempo beats. Tracks like “Revolution” with Specimen A and “Geek’d Up” with Baby Sweet provide lots of energy and edge. “Piece Of My Mind” is more introspective, while “Cheveyo” features a diverse array of collaborators and culminates in a rich, layered sound, all while maintaining a global welcoming spirit.

What makes this project unique is that it serves both and reminds people of the origins of dance culture. Sporty-O aims to help people rediscover the heartbeat of the community. “The P.L.U.R. Project” is an EDM experience that reaches beyond the speakers, colorful and thoughtful about meaning in music-based culture.