Critically acclaimed artist Smino delivered a compelling performance on Saturday night at Osheaga, switching seamlessly between styles with his trademark boundless energy.
The 33-year-old rapper, who has a string of musical projects under his belt, took to the stage with intensity, setting the tone for the show to come. He opened with the track “KLINK” from his second album Noir, released in 2018, and followed it up with “90 Proof.” The latter was produced in collaboration with J. Cole, a detail that Smino did not forget to mention, emphasizing how much this song had changed his life due to its popularity.
He quickly charmed the audience—which included both longtime fans and new faces—by interacting with them frequently. For nearly an hour, Smino shared the mic with his DJ and sidekick NOS: the duo’s energy, particularly during “I Deserve,” was striking. The musicians’ involvement, with a strong presence of electric guitar and drums, also added dimension to the rapper’s set.
Born Christopher Smith Jr., the American artist is known for the R&B influences in his music. His performance of the song “Wild Irish Rose,” among others, demonstrates his impeccable mastery of his voice, which transitions flawlessly from low to high notes and remains highly controlled during rap verses.
Special mention goes to his performance of “Pro Freaks,” a track produced with Fatman Scoop and Doechii—the big star of the festival’s first day—which had the crowd screaming and jumping until the end of the show. One thing is certain: he set the stage perfectly for hip-hop fans waiting for headliner Tyler, the Creator at the end of the evening.
Crédit photo: Tim Snow
