In the late 2010's, sample-based boom bap rap music went through what many would consider a modern renaissance. Artists and producers began to experiment with flow and rhythm in new ways, emphasizing personal vulnerability and emotional catharsis in their songwriting. Despite the out-of-pocket approach to flow, the less-is-more mentality reigned supreme in the production realm as artists across the U.S. and even in the U.K. began to favor simple loops with dusty textures that often left out drum patterns altogether. The result was an era filled with exciting and atmospheric rap music that seemed to be reaching toward a spiritual core. However, as the late 2010’s slowly slipped into the early 2020’s, many would say this movement began to stagnate, remaining largely unchanged in sound from 2018 to 2023. And while the style is still popular and relevant today, there are many artists and listeners who are asking: now what? This is a question which New Orleans-based producer SmokeFace intends to answer. A beatsmith with strong boom-bap roots, their influences range from household names such as J. Dilla and Nujabes all the way to more avant-garde production by artists like JPEGMAFIA and Injury Reserve. Their philosophy is simple: sit down, create, and let the ideas flow. In a time when terms like “marketing” and “target audience” seem to be constantly at the center of musical discussions, artists like SmokeFace are seeking to bring the focus back to what matters most: the music.