Welcome to The Sports Fan Journal’s music series, In The Rotation. Music fans are always trying to find the latest tunes to spin and our editor Mya Melody, a.k.a. the playlist virtuoso is here to help. Whether you need a weekend turn up anthem or a smooth jam for a kickback, this series will highlight the week’s hottest song to add in your collection. Vibe out and enjoy! #MelodyPutYouOn
Inglewood native D Smoke may not be a household name just yet, but after being crowned the season one winner of the hit Netflix show Rhythm + Flow, he’s well on his way to put on for his city. D Smoke’s latest single “No Commas” is the perfect blend of perseverance, initiative, and ambition–all qualities needed for a prosperous 2020.
One of the aspects that helped D Smoke become a standout contestant on Rhythm + Flow was his natural ability to spit bars in both English and Spanish. He adds this bilingual flair to “No Commas” to the intro followed by the song’s enticing hook:
I told ’em I’m the one for the job, no commas / And I’m serious, period, no commas / Wanna enjoy my family and my friends with no drama / And stack ’til I’m delirious, period
Upon first hearing “No Commas,” the song starts out with a smooth piano backing, that initially seems like a rap ballad. However, after D Smoke’s first hook, the hardcore beat comes in thanks to producer J.LBS, who’s known for working with artists like Talib Kweli, Isaiah Rashad, and ScHoolboy Q. “No Commas” is just a piece of what fans can anticipate from D Smoke’s debut album Black Habits due out on Feb. 7.
If your goals for the new year consist of determination and following your dreams, then put D Smoke’s “No Commas” in the rotation and check out this week’s pertinent reading material:
Kobe Bryant Was Actually A Really Good Rapper, Too – Uproxx
Celebrating More Than J. Cole’s 35 Years on Earth – DJBooth
Artists Are Trading Touring for Residencies to Improve the Quality of Their Lives – Billboard
How Destination Music Festivals Can Make You A Better Traveler – Uproxx
How Producer Jon Brion Finished Mac Miller’s ‘Circles’ – Vulture
Mya Singleton a.k.a. Mya Melody is a music writer hailing from the Bay Area. As the current music editor for TSFJ, think of her as the playlist virtuoso or the audio aficionado for sports fans everywhere. Although music is her first love, she occasionally partakes in any argument regarding the NBA. She’s a huge Kobe Bryant fan who’s still upset Chris Paul never became a Laker. To this day, Hardball is one of the saddest movies she’s ever watched, R.I.P. G-Baby! Follow her as she navigates to change the face of music journalism and remember, a wise philosopher once said, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”
