In case you didn’t already know, Smino is on top of the hip-hop game. The one-of-a-kind Saint Louis – Chicago figure fond of an irreplaceable flow and a fair amount of humorous experimentation has been absolutely everywhere this year, and he hasn’t even released a project of his own yet. Instead, in combination with features on Dreamville’s Revenge of the Dreamers, Chance’s The Big Day, Jay2’s 4 Tha Wait, and Cousin Stizz’s Trying to Find my Next Thrill, he’s also released a single of his own.

 

Reverend comes from an understandably high pedestal given his position in music. But it’s less braggadocio than its title would suggest, and more fervent proof that such a position isn’t only well-deserved, but well-maintained. His knack to rap over, under, and all around any beat he comes across is unparalleled by anyone else in music, and Reverend might be his most creative collection of cadences to date fit with hard-edged lyricism and impressive explorations of his vocal routes.