The most tender moment on Smino's new album "Luv 4 Rent" arrives soon after its midpoint on a song called "Defibrillator," when the St. Louis artist layers his vocals at the chorus to sing the words "I'll be loved when no one's around."
The song aims to sow hope into a broken heart, inspired by a call Smino had with his imprisoned uncle who spoke with amazement at seeing his nephew's music pop up in the prison kiosk before he could type in all the letters.
That same uncle called Smino again the other day, after hearing his nephew's J. Cole-assisted single "90 Proof." While on the phone, he shared something that stuck with Smino: People in the prison were bumping his music, drawn to the warmth of R&B and themes of love rather than trap-laden street tales filled with pain.
