Smino is getting ready to drop his third album, Luv 4 Rent, and last Friday, he served up the new single, “90 Proof,” a soulful truth bomb featuring J. Cole. The track debuted inside the Top 5 of the Genius Top Songs chart, and several days later, it’s holding strong in the Top 20.
Built on a warm, organic beat by producers Groove and monte booker, “90 Proof” is a song about honesty. Smino starts things off with the chorus. With the help of some weed, he builds toward the higher part of his vocal register and opens up about his shortcomings as a romantic partner. For what it’s worth, he’s ultimately planning on doing the right thing.
Take a break and roll the sticky, let’s get high (See)
Not too great at relationships, at least I try (Uh)
Patient, baby, gotta make a couple rounds (Yeah, you know, oh)
’Fore I make it back to you to settle down (Yeah, yeah)
As he starts the first verse, Smino hints at some of the pain that’s made him an unreliable boyfriend.
Don’t blame yourself for all the shit you seen me do
I’m gettin’ used to bein’ loved, girl, the right way
And he’s making progress. In the next lines, the St. Louis singer and rapper shocks his friend by turning down the opportunity to party with some new girls.
My nigga pulled up at the stu’, said he got two
I said, “I’m cool,” he looked at me, like, “Nigga, you crazy” (Yeah, yeah)
Smino is serving up vodka-strength truth in this song. It’s his preferred method of baring his soul.
I sang this tune I wrote for you, ayo DJ, play me (Aye DJ, play this song right now)
Play me this song to set the mood, she want the truth
It’s ninety proof, I hide behind the faders (Take it now, take it now)
The post-chorus introduces J. Cole, who previously collaborated with Smino on 2019’s “1993” and “Sacrifices,” both of which appear on the Dreamville compilation Revenge of the Dreamers III. Here, Cole and Smino acknowledge that they’ve found good women.
I got a real one, if I was broke, she never would leave me, no
I got a real one, if I was broke, she never would leave me, no
Cole takes the second verse and describes the kind of humble domestic scene that fans might not expect from a rapper of his stature. This new homeowner doesn’t have fancy jewelry or an entourage—though that doesn’t stop his neighbors from suspecting he’s a criminal.
I bought a condo and it’s cozy, my neighbors nosey as fuck
They see a young nigga walked in with his kids
They don’t know who he is, they just know that he up
No chain or no Rollie, I just move around doley, untouched
Later in the verse, Cole continues to explain why he’s not like other rappers. He doesn’t enjoy flaunting his wealth or making headlines. He’d rather be famous for his craft.
I don’t really do the cameras, I be low in Los Angeles
You niggas ain’t never gon’ see me, I might as well be in Canada
You niggas ain’t ever gon’ be me, it’s best to stay in your parameters
“90 Proof” marked Smino’s second single release of September, after “24-8.” In the caption accompanying that song’s music video, he thanked fans for their loyalty and dropped hints about his forthcoming project, the follow-up to 2018’s NØIR and his first LP since inking a deal with Motown in 2021. “Preciate err body who been rocking wimme thru the years,” he wrote. “Thru the label change…its some real coo people looking after the music now and I’m excited to show y’all how much I dun grown…”
You can read all the lyrics to “90 Proof” on Genius now.
