Chris Smith Jr (born October 2, 1991), better known by his stage name, Smino, is an American rapper from St. Louis, Missouri. Chris Smith Jr. He's from a musical family: his father plays keys, his mother sings, and his grandfather was a famous blues bassist. When he was seven, his father gave him a set of drums, which he played in his church’s band, and also began rapping. In St. Louis, Chris Smith was in a rap duo with his friend Bari Allen called "Young Dumb and Outta Control" (YROC), and released a self-titled mixtape.