Netflix recently released its first-ever Hip-Hop competition show, Rhythm + Flow, and it quickly became one of the most binge-watching shows on Netflix.
Judged by Cardi B, T.I. and Chance the Rapper, Rhythm + Flow followed 30 aspiring rappers from Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Atlanta. At the end of it all, the winner of the show would not only win a whopping $250,000 but also get a chance to perform on Spotify’s "Rap Caviar" live tour.
After three intense, long weeks, Rhythm + Flow released its final three episodes on Wednesday (October 23), revealing the four emcees left on the competition, which included: Troyman, Londynn B, Flawless Real Talk, and D Smoke. And after several head-to-head rounds and much anticipation, D Smoke was crowned the first-ever winner of Rhythm + Flow.
The 33-year-old former Spanish and Music Theory teacher shook up the competition with a last-minute reveal that he could play the piano, after impressing everyone with his raw lyrics, guitar skills, and bilingual flow.
D Smoke stopped by REAL 92.3 in Los Angeles to chat with Home Grown Radio’s DJ Hed and Chuck Dizzle about his experience on Rhythm + Flow, being crowned the winner and much more.
The Inglewood, California native told Home Grown Radio that a lot of what he went through in life played a big role on show from "experiences, honest rap, and going back and forward within the language" [English and Spanish].
“My goal going in was to represent myself and my city well, D Smoke said. He explained how it was growing up in Inglewood, being surrounded by street gangs and violence. He said music saved him and allowed his family and himself to evolve as talented musicians over the years.
D Smoke also shared how he didn't go the traditional way about auditioning for the show. He revealed that he felt some type of way about submitting himself to be judged. However, he said he was proud of how he was represented in the competition.
When asked what he thought about the judges, D Smoke mentioned that Chance the Rapper was the most insightful judge for him. However, he went to say that T.I. is now a mentor towards him.
D Smoke also recalls a piece of advice that resonated with him throughout the competition from Chance the Rapper. D Smoke remembers Chance telling them [the artists], “if I didn't hear you deliver your rap and you wrote it out and I looked at it on a piece of paper, I should still get the same point across and I should be just as impressed with what your word choice is as I am with your delivery and whole package.”
Further more into the interview, D Smoke goes into details on how he wants to continue to help his community through varies city projects. He also shares that he's biological brothers with TDE’s Inglewood SiR, and lastly, he has a brand new EP, INGLEWOOD HIGH out now, which is an oath to his city.
To listen to the full interview with Home Grown Radio and D Smoke, click the audio link below.
Photo Credit: Home Grown Radio
Article By: Lupe LLerenas