D Smoke | Won of One EP 2

In episode 2 of Won of One: A PLLRS Podcast, host Reg Calixte sits down with Grammy-nominated rapper, songwriter, and actor D Smoke for a conversation that spans his journey from teaching to music and the cultural shifts shaping Inglewood. D Smoke reflects on his early beginnings in Park Circle with his friend Chiz, his experiences in acting, including developing the character Raphael in Mayor of Kingstown and working alongside Jeremy Renner, and his aspirations to one day step into the Marvel universe. He opens up about his first album as a Death Row artist, what it means to carry that legacy, and the importance of navigating the business side of music with integrity. From potential collaborations with artists like G Perico, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole, to his interest in screenwriting and adapting his work Vivid Isaiah for film, D Smoke shares how he continues to balance artistry, business, and storytelling. The episode closes with a look at his love for television favorites like Martin, a nod to K Pop Demon Hunters, and his excitement about reuniting with Snoop Dogg for future Death Row projects.

About Today’s Guest

Daniel “D Smoke” Farris, the Inglewood-born rapper, musician, actor, and cultural storyteller, joins Won of One to share his journey from classical piano prodigy to Grammy-nominated artist and activist. Rooted in a rich family legacy of music and sharpened by his studies in Spanish literature at UCLA, D Smoke has built a career that bridges worlds, whether through his bilingual lyricism, his role as champion of Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow, or his acclaimed projects Inglewood High and Black Habits. Beyond accolades and chart success, Smoke embodies the balance of artistry, education, and advocacy, using his platform to uplift his community and unite cultures through music with purpose.

Key Points from this Episode:

• 0:00 Welcome back to Won of One: A PLLRS Podcast with today’s guest, D Smoke

• 0:33 On D Smoke’s early musical passions and transition from teaching to music 

• 3:03 Starting off in music in Park Circle with his friend, Chiz

• 4:02 D Smoke’s from East and West Coasts

• 9:16 Changes to the West Coast Culture and Inglewood

• 11:29 D Smoke’s history in acting 

• 15:00 Character development for Raphael from Mayor of Kingstown

• 16:30 Working with Jeremy Renner and Tobi Bantefa 

• 20:35 Playing a Marvel character and creating a world around it

• 25:33 D Smoke’s 1st album as a Death Row artist and carrying out a legacy

• 33:17 Choosing favorites: music vs. acting

• 35:07 Navigating the business part of the music business with a team, turning down a deal from DJ Khaled

• 38:13 Considerations for potential collaborations, R&B artists, G Perico, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and more

• 47:00 Types of characters D Smoke would like to play in the future

• 49:12 Exploring interest in screenwriting and adapting Vivid Isaiah for film

• 50:59 Reg and D Smoke discuss current TV picks, Martin, Severance,  and a nod to K Pop Demon Hunters

• 54:00 Releasing an album with Death Row and partnering with Snoop again in the future

  
  

Mentioned on the Show

• Connect with D Smoke on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dsmoke7

• More on the Novel “Vivid Isaiah” by D Smoke: https://www.instagram.com/vividisaiah

• Listen to Wake Up Supa: https://open.spotify.com/album/6aQed086YBp37b9fRgXiT1?si=hNl1dmBfQcaWoEK_PVQnmg

  
  

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Special thanks to our partners at Manhattan Neighborhood Network.

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