Students and community members gathered at the University of Wisconsin’s Shannon Hall in Memorial Union Wednesday to enjoy a free musical performance from D Smoke, a rap artist, singer and songwriter from Inglewood, California.
D Smoke was invited to perform on campus by the Black History Month Planning Committee as part of Legacy X, a series of events to commemorate 10 years of Black History Month celebration at UW, according to the Black History Month Planning Committee.
D Smoke gained mainstream attention after winning the 2019 “Rhythm + Flow” show on Netflix, with judges Cardi B, Chance the Rapper and T.I., according to the event’s posting.
The bilingual rapper is fluent in Spanish and English. He taught Spanish and music theory at Inglewood High School, according to the event’s posting.
D Smoke started his performance with an upbeat rap song, captivating the audience with his energy and charisma, prompting them to come forward and join him at the foot of the stage.
Engaging the crowd, D Smoke asked them to raise their hands if they were grateful, before performing his song “Top of the Morning” with lyrics affirming gratitude and positivity.
He entertained the audience with humor and charm, even allowing some to sing a few lines into the microphone.
From bows to punk pirate: Unexpected guide to spring fashionAs our outfits are no longer hidden by our coats and snow doesn’t inhibit us from wearing the same pair Read…
During the performance, he introduced Grammy-award-winning R&B singer and songwriter Davion Farris — D Smoke’s brother — to join him on stage, bringing additional talent and energy to the show.
An interesting aspect of the performance was the artists’ showcase of their voices a cappella, with the DJ turning off the music to allow for a heartfelt a cappella experience.
D Smoke expressed his Black pride through his song called “Black Habits,” which was nominated for a Grammy in 2020. The performance also highlighted his ability to play piano and seamlessly switch between English and Spanish verses.
Farris surprised the audience with a seductive performance of his song “Make Love,” adding another unexpected element to the show.
In a spontaneous move, D Smoke invited two audience members to join him on stage for a selfie, and later mingled with the crowd during one of his songs.
This being his first college show, D Smoke charmed the audience with his wit and charismatic presence, keeping the crowd engaged and entertained throughout the entire performance.
