Q&A: Crafting Beats and Blending Genres, Smoko Ono Talks Latest Track “Pull Up”

Q&AMusic

Nov 7

☆ By Sophie Robinson ☆

SOULFULLY SHAPING UPBEAT ATMOSPHERES — Chicago-based Grammy-nominated contemporary music producer/DJ and writer Smoko Ono makes tunes to make you move. Having made a name for himself while steadily rising through the Chicago hip-hop scene, Smoko Ono is one to watch. With nearly half a million monthly Spotify listeners, Smoko Ono’s resume of tracks are sonically diverse, genre-fluid, and show a mature musical finesse. This past May he released “Wraith” with Chance the Rapper and VIC MENSA. His discography features other collaborations with Yxng Bane, SG Lewis, and UMi.

Smoko Ono’s musical style has changed and evolved over the course of his career from R&B and hip-hop songs to incorporating house, dance, and even disco sensibilities. He’s produced for a myriad of household names, such as Kanye West, Megan Thee Stallion, Burna Boy, and Summer Walker.

As a producer, writer, and DJ, Smoko Ono creates tunes with a fine-tuned edge and unique perspective drawing on his Chicago roots. Versatility is at the forefront of Smoko Ono’s resume, with his latest single from this past August, “Pull Up,” demonstrating his knack for genre blending. Fresh and groovy, the track has a flirtatious funk alongside Samm Henshaw’s mesmeric vocals.

Read below as Luna talks with Smoko Ono about Chicago’s contemporary hip-hop scene, DJ-ing, and musical inspirations.

LUNA: How would you describe yourself and the type of music you do?

SMOKO: Well, I produce a lot of rap music, being in the Chicago scene. But from there throughout the years, I've practiced piano and that allowed me to work with various genres like house music, pop music, R&B. As a producer now, I'm very versatile with the stuff that I make. From when I first started doing producing, I was a bit in a box with Chance [the Rapper] and Vic [Mensa], but then, throughout the years I was able to produce more of other stuff, too.

LUNA: Speaking of the Chicago scene, when and how did you first get into music?

SMOKO: Well, I first learned to make beats when I was 17 from this guy named John-John. I would just go to his house and try to make as many beats as I could to show my friends from school. After that, I fell in love with it. Around 2012, after I graduated high school, I interned at this studio, where I got close to Vic Mensa and Chance when they were working on Innanetape, and I think Chance was finishing Acid Rap. They were always recording at that studio and I was trying to help out wherever I could and learn, at like 19. From there I just kept building relationships, and I went on tour with Vic when he was on tour with J. Cole. It was a long time ago — I’m 29 now. People needed beats and I was able to supply them beats.

LUNA: Right, so you go way back with some of these other Chicago locals. You recently released your single “Pull Up” featuring Samm Henshaw — congratulations! Tell me about this song.

SMOKO: We started this back in the pandemic. The beat was going to be more acoustic and downtempo but I was trying to find something for uptempo. Recently, I’ve been into house music and disco. So I took his vocals and made a whole new beat. It started as an R&B song but ended up being a disco dance song.

LUNA: Your music is very genre-fluid — where do you draw inspiration from?

SMOKO: The music that I listen to. My favorite producer[s] growing up [were] Farrell and Q-Tip. They always made a lot of different types of beats, especially when they were coming out in the early 2000s. The sound was a bit more groovy and soulful, which I take influence from. In the last two years, I’ve been getting into house and disco because I like to DJ. I want to be able to put out stuff that I can play while DJ-ing. As a producer, if you can do stuff like that, you don’t need to lean too much on a feature. Take KAYTRANADA — he could do a DJ set but doesn’t need the singers.

LUNA: You’ve worked with a lot of big-name artists — what have these collaborations been like for you?

SMOKO: Sometimes it’s surreal because when I first started making beats I didn’t know I would get to do these features. I’m so grateful and really appreciate what I do. If my career were to end today, I’d be very happy with the things I’ve accomplished.

LUNA: What is your creative process like in terms of producing and making beats?

SMOKO: Usually, I’ll clear my mind by going to the gym or walking my dog and then spend around five or six hours in the studio, trying out new ideas. I try to take a more laid-back approach. When I first started, I would be making beats [for like] 14 hours a day — it was all music, music, music. But now I need to take time for myself in order to be in a relaxed mindset. I’ll go on trips and maybe not make a beat for a week, but when I come back I’m more inspired and clear-headed. Take a step back and let it come to me.

LUNA: That’s some great advice. What can we look forward to in the future for you in terms of upcoming projects?

SMOKO: Some really good stuff in the upbeat-dance world, what you could play at a party. It’s all different vibes of dance music. One’s more Daft Punk-y/French house type stuff while the other is Pharrell/club vibes. A range of different dance music. In the future, I’d like to do more parties and DJ-ing, to be able to create a happy energy in the room. Because with music nowadays, at least in the rap industry, it can be very dark. Listening to a lot of the lyrics, it can be very draining. So I wanna be able to do events and create a happy energy for people.

LUNA: That’s very exciting — we’ll be on the lookout. Lastly, how would you say you’ve grown and what have you learned through your career?

SMOKO: I’ve learned to be patient. With music, it’s all about timing. Perfect timing exists. I mean, I experienced this in the Chicago scene being with Chance when he first came up. And I always want to love what I make. There’s music I’ve been sent from artists who were very big or poppin’ at the time but I turned it down because I didn’t genuinely like it. I’ve only done sessions when I would listen to the music myself in my free time. Overall, I’m taking it day by day.

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