Smino’s ‘Luv 4 Rent’ Album Review
Smino’s ‘Luv 4 Rent’ Album Review
Dec 25
Written By Tyra Mills
Artist Name: Smino
Album Name: Luv 4 Rent
Album Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
Label: Motown Records
Date Released: October 2022
Date Reviewed: December 2022
Overall Rating: 4 / 5
Features: Lil Uzi, J Cole, Ravyn Lenae, Doechii, Fatman Scoop, Lucky Daye and More
Samples: Monica - Knock Knock, Jagged Edge - He Can’t Love You
Favorite Track(s): Settle Down, Pro Freak, Louphoria, Defibrillator
Overall Commentary:
Image Source: Twitter
So the album opens up with a question of “Have you ever?” and talks about getting food and answers “4rm the source.” The opening track was definitely overshadowing the themes that will play throughout this project. The intro reminds me of some sort of ancestral chant, and the juxtaposition of the comical voiceover of ‘Manman’ felt like home…because we all have a cousin or homeboy like ManMan. I love when artist’s have cultural context throughout their albums, things that you’ll only understand if you share culture with the artist.
I have to be honest, when I heard the Monica sample of “Knock Knock” on ‘No L’s’...my mouth dropped open (lol literally). The sample decisions made for this album were callbacks to my childhood and resonated with me in such a nostalgic way. I mean the man put Jagged Edge and Fatman Scoop features on here and just like that, we’re transported back to 2008. Smino’s voice has always been so unique to me. ‘Blkswn’ had a few tracks on it I was into but ‘NOIR’ was the album that solidified me as a Smino fan. Those albums were so unique and refreshing with the melodies, beat choices and of course Smino’s lyricism. Smino’s third album, in my opinion, feels like his best work to date. It’s timeless with plenty of playback value. His album is full of mantras and affirmations and I think hip hop could use more of this. Especially on the song, Garden Lady. Vibrations, feeling more “pleasant in the present”, and how things you “rush won’t last” are all reminders we should all reflect on from time to time. I can’t wait to run this back again.
