K-Trap - SMILE? (Album)

Picture Credit: Filmawi Efrem

UK pioneer K-Trap unveils his eagerly awaited debut album, "SMILE?", a 19-track opus that showcases his evolution as an artist. Boasting collaborations with Blade Brown, Sharna Bass, Dre Six, Highlyy, and Angel, "SMILE?" encapsulates Trap's remarkable story from his inception in 2017 to the present, chronicling the myriad highs and lows that have shaped his path to this pivotal moment. Fans are afforded a deeper understanding of the man behind the music as he lays bare his thoughts and emotions across the project. Trap delves into a diverse spectrum of topics, from the luxuries of the high life to the gritty realities of street existence, reminiscing about school days and grappling with paranoia. From courtroom confrontations to standing by incarcerated friends, no subject remains untouched. And, of course, true to form, no Trap song is complete without his signature ability to encapsulate the euphoria of success, whether it's jet-setting adventures, lavish dinners at Park Chinos, or trips overseas.

“SMILE?” opens and closes with captivating monologues—Tiffany Calvar’s voice poses uplifting questions, potentially reflecting Trap's inner musings or echoing the points from a therapy session. Clocking in at just under 45 minutes, the album showcases Trap's versatility as an artist, delivering tracks that remain true to his essence while simultaneously captivating longtime fans and newcomers. The album echoes the grittiness of old-school Trap on tracks like "Classic Day," "Victory Lap," "Mobster," "TBC,", “Special” and “Whoosh” while showcasing his introspective side on soul-stirring songs such as "Next To You” featuring Sharna Bass, "Things For You” featuring Dre Six, and "Grown Decisions." Interspersed with infectious moments, melodic highlights include “Whistle”, "Rockstar In Designer" featuring D Block Europe, and the enchanting "Let’s Run Away" featuring and produced by Angel. Other producers on the project include; Jester Beats, Honeywoodsix, Cole, Carns Hill, Nathaniel London, X10, M1onthebeat, Young Chencs, Lukas BL, Prod Prince, Sharna Bass, James, Prod Prince, Joe Stanley, Jacob Manson, whYJay, Da Beatfreakz, Aura, ATG and Lukas BL.

Devonte Perkins was born in Lambeth, spending his early years in Gipsy Hill. Growing up on a close-knit estate, he’d been part of a large family. The second youngest of 5 children, his home was a revolving door of relatives— cousins, relatives, aunties from Jamaica— that relayed an endless stream of music into his young ears. He’d hear R&B and reggae from his mother whilst cooking, whilst his older siblings introduced him to gangsta rap and hip-hop like Tupac Shakur. The emergence of Channel U would form formative in his listening, and he’d spend time locked into music videos and groups like Lil Rascals. As he edged into his teenage years, music would become more of a feature. He started making music at home, freestyling over YouTube beats and instrumentals recorded DIY off Sony Ericsson’s. In his mid-teens, things started to change. His early releases candidly detail his former involvement in crime and dealings with the prison system. But in the end, it was music that would pull him back. He’d been friends with pioneering UK drill group 67, who’d encourage his journey and take him on tour, additionally bolstered by the ongoing explosion of Black British music across the UK and peers like Krept and Konan.

K-Trap’s unique style and gritty realism grabbed the ears of fans worldwide. With six mixtapes including joint projects with the likes of Blade Brown and Headie One under his belt, songs like “David Blaine,” “Extra Sleeve” and more recent hits like “Warm” made him notable for contributions to the UK rap, hip hop and drill scene. And so too did his masked appearance; his name, image and identity remained under wraps until a shock unveiling in 2019. Since that break into the music scene, K-Trap has become a reckoning force as one of the most prominent artists in UK rap and hip-hop. Single “Warm” is now Gold-certified in the UK amongst a host of other chart-topping releases, including 4 UK Top 40 singles, 2 UK Top 20 mixtapes, and an additional 4 Top 40 mixtapes. He has received critical acclaim from the likes of The Guardian, Complex, Rolling Stone, Capital XTRA and a 2024 cover of DAZED Magazine, whilst his collaborators include a star-studded list of the best in contemporary UK rap and hip-hop: the likes of Headie One, Krept & Konan, D-Block Europe, Youngs Teflon, Clavish, DigDat, M Huncho and Skepta, who released a remix of track "Warm." He is a 2-time MOBO award winner and received a 2024 BRIT nomination for Best Group alongside artist Headie One. And as he shares ‘SMILE?’with listeners, itis ultimately the making of an artist who, despite his accolades, still has much to share with the world.