Smino, the supersonic St. Louis singer-rapper who brought us “Netflix and Dusse,” has shared a new track titled “I Deserve.” It features production from Kal Banx and Wu10, and a bridge from Smino’s long-time DJ, Nosidam. Smino has had a relatively quiet 2021 after firing off two critically acclaimed albums, blkswan and NOIR, in 2017 and 2018, respectively, and a surpise mixtape called She Already Decided in 2020. “I Deserve” is only the fourth solo single he’s released this year. The new song strikes a balance between the irreverant music Smino used to make and the riskier, more somber songs from his studio LPs. On the one hand, it’s got a soulful beat and features lines like “I just spent my last bit of finances recordin’ / Sinkin’, it’s a ice box where my heart is.” On the other, it’s mostly about weed. Listen below.Smino smokes through his emotions on “I Deserve”
Smino performs at Austin City Limits 2018. Photo by Suzanne Cordeiro / Getty Images.