As New York became the latest epicentre of drill music in 2018 thanks to artists like Pop Smoke and Sheff G, new takes on the bass-heavy beats and staccato flow patterns began to emerge almost immediately. Leading the post-drill movement into its next iteration is Smoove’L, a dexterous and smooth-voiced MC from Brooklyn. Born Lefty Frizzell Sanders, Jr. in 2000, Smoove released his debut album 4 Boy at the tender age of 19, scoring a hit with the NLE Choppa-assisted “Smoke Talk.” On that track, Smoove’L established what makes him so compelling, namely a rapid-fire flow that is equal parts emotive and precise, and clever use of vocal sound effects that mimic the percussive thrum of gunshots. Smoove’s best work is gritty, recalling early days hustling in Brooklyn and his ability to balance stardom with his love for his ‘hood. “Apollo,” a skittering anthem that finds Smoove’s voice quivering with emotion, reflects on love spawned at the famous Brooklyn restaurant, New Apolo, while 2020’s “Chrome No Heart” proves Smoove’L isn’t just following trends: “I hold my Glock real tight, uh, I do not rock Off-White,” he raps. By reorienting the tenets of drill’s booming low-end and thumping vocal styles toward a melodic middle ground, Smoove’L has emerged as an essential figure in the genre’s ever-developing identity.