K-Trap – ‘Smile?’ album review: drill pioneer makes an emotional breakthrough

31 May, 2024

K-Trap. Photo credit: Filmawi Efrem

K-Trap isn’t the tough driller we once knew. Blowing up with hard-hitting viral songs such as 2022’s ‘Warm’ and his feature on Krept & Konan‘s 2019 song ‘I Spy’, the Brixton native would once flex his ties to the street and warn “opps” to never mess with him. Well, he’s still telling his foes to back up, but on his debut album ‘Smile?’, the once-elusive star opens up.

‘Smile?’ starts with renowned tastemaker Tiffany Calver, assuming the role of the rapper’s therapist. She asks him to “take the mask off while we talk” before he takes you on a journey where Trap (also known as Trapo) touches on pivotal topics in his life.

He talks about his time selling drugs in south London; whether that’s on the mafia-inspired ‘Mobsters’ with Blade Brown, and the audacious ‘Old School Era’ or ‘Whoosh’. But the best of these gritty highlights is ‘Whistle’. Over ethereal production, Trap asks his potential lover if she can fit in with his fast-paced lifestyle: “Do you chase the bag or just fuck it up? / Do you get up and go, or just cuddle up?”

All of this is then contrasted by his tales of fame, affluence and success. On ‘Victory Lap’, Trap celebrated his nomination for Group of the Year at the 2024 BRIT Awards alongside fellow drill mainstay Headie One. This mainstream recognition, he has said, has made him realise life is worthwhile.

Then, there’s a bunch of radio-ready songs that will likely be inescapable this year. The charming ‘Different’ features British-Congolese newcomer Highlyy, who sings from the perspective of Trap’s heartbroken other half, while the narrator is clawing for forgiveness. ‘Let’s Run Away’ and ‘Someone Familiar’ show the soft interior that was once hardened by Trap’s past.

But Trapo is also suffering from survivor’s guilt, as explored on ‘Grown Decisions’. The song sees the rapper wrestle with the feelings of being a traitor to his environment, now that he’s made his money and gained some wisdom. “Out in the suburbs / If I tell the truth, I ain’t missing South,” he raps. “Then again I’m lying that’s where the music’s inspired / But there’s too much emotions, too much crying, too much people dying.”

Drill culture was once deeply rooted in gang politics, but the music it birthed became an outlet for those who believe life can’t be good when there’s so much bad around. Now that K-Trap has evolved and now stands as a luminary in his scene, ‘Smile?’ inspires those like him – and others – to gently move on from their past and see the bright side of life. It’s OK to smile once in a while, he tells us.