Berlin...!

What started as an ill dream left me waking in sweats. I watched my fear of becoming a memory to a trigger-happy cop spiral into a loop of deep depression. My inner child sinking into addiction, lost in a city built on distractions and quick fixes, all to escape my everyday struggles. The stigmas, the lack of love and these systemic oppressions divided us, keeping us stagnant in these work places and frivolous spaces just to make it home and do it all over again. For what? Maybe this doesn’t need to be said, but truthfully I hesitated to share this visual knowing it could be triggering, especially after the recent death of Sonya Massey. (which literally occurred in the middle of completion) But this wasn’t made to make light of our trauma, rather to shed light on my raw truth. I use my art to confront the despair in our daily cycles and the death culture that drives our disconnection. Everything isn’t all good or a good time. Healing demands we face the darkness within and I can’t shy from it. This loop isn’t just mine; it’s a reflection of how grief, fear, survival, and shame can drag us down into being unconscious. From wanting to grow beyond our everyday norms. And as I continue to embark on my journey to make change, I hope this visualizer can remind us that real change starts in the mind and that we must confront the chaos to break free from within…! #stelsewhere 🎨: @partlytruth 🧇 ST.ELSEWHERE…! is OUT ON ALL DSPs. Appreciate the love and support that’s been felt thus far. #TRiUMPH 🧇 #smoothwaffle #livingover #LOST #glumglums #depression #change #live #selflove #unapologetic #newmusic #pig #adream

🧇 For those new here along this journey my name is Berlin…! aka smoothwaffle. Rule #00: Don’t ever mistake me for a pancake. Since 2006 I’ve been building as a producer turned rapper. I migrated from Newport News,VA to Philadelphia,PA for college and to experience new terrain. Music became my compass, my way of self-discovery and purpose. Earlier this year I released my fourth studio album: TRiUMPH…! A noir film in sound. A story of perseverance through the dark, heartbreak endured, vulnerability laid bare, soul ties and insecurities unraveled, and the root of my shadows revealed in what I call the Glum Glums. I want to welcome you on this ride and personally thank you. Whether you found me through the music, the art, or pure curiosity I invite you to step deeper into the work. Hopefully you’ll stick around for the evolution…! #TRiUMPH #smoothwaffle #livingover #LOST #filmnoir #noirboy

When putting this song together it felt like drowning my sorrows at a jazz club, wanting to be left alone, but like nodding my head drunkenly, marinating in the atmosphere of my projections. It felt like my hope left me, so i went running to look for a release, but that still didn’t take care of the glums—JADED JOiNT…! 🥃🚬 serves as a dialogue on self-worth, loneliness and critiques societal norms, urging for more self-awareness and authenticity beyond the veil of escapism…! Visualizer OUT NOW on YouTube. Song available on all platforms 🧇 #TRiUMPH 🎨: animated and interpreted by @partlytruth #smoothwaffle #livingover #LOST #introspection #noirboy #glumglums #noir #hiphop #dotdotdotart #bars #selfworth #escapism #jadedjoint #jazz

May 16th, I’ll be performing LIVE at the 10th Anniversary Music City Festival in Orange, New Jersey and honestly… being able to do this in my home state feels bigger than just another show. Jersey poured into me before the world ever knew my name. Now I get to return the love through the music. 🎤✨ Come celebrate with us: Saturday, May 16th 12PM–6PM South Essex Ave & Main Street (next to Inner City Café) FREE ENTRY. See y’all outside. 🌻 #JayJFRE #MusicCityFestival #OrangeNJ #LiveMusic #newjersey

🧇Live for the story…! Thank you and congratulations on your debut gallery and experience. “Great things start in little rooms” @mf.swvnky 🤞🏾 04.25.26 The Swvnky Experience 📸: @sunysvision #smoothwaffle #livingover #hiphop #philly #liveforthestory

🧇 Tomorrow from 1-5pm I will be attending and performing at @wonderlandfishtown supporting @phillycityrepairproject to build towards their Spring Fundraiser. There will be food, vendors and alongside I will also be having some @dotdotdotart prints and limited addition @stillgrowingboutique merch for sale. If you are available add to the cause and have a great time…! 🙏🏾🫡 #smoothwaffle

🧇 Bandcamp Friday today…! If you’d like to download and truly own the music while supporting me directly, now’s the time. BC waives all fees today, so I receive 100% of your support. #smoothwaffle #bandcampfriday #supportartistsyoulove #TRiUMPH #forthelove

🧇 Scrolling through my rolodex, I noticed how many photos I had of me smiling… had me thinking how often people catch me in passing, wondering what’s wrong when I’m just still. Whole time I’m just being, lost in thought. A lot goes on day to day. From the daily rise for work, to family getting older, to things you can’t control, the pressures I place on myself by wanting to exist and create as I am…to just wanting silence in a busy world. Admittedly, something shifted after my last heartbreak. It felt like I misplaced a piece of my shine because i may have tied it to someone else. But it was never gone, it just needed redirection. It lives in the small moments. Like my growth, the laughs, the love I give and receive, the beauty of community, and that feeling of making a fire ass beat…! I wanna smile more, man…! 🧇

Artist Spotlight 🎤 @smoothwaffle ✨ smoothwaffle is a rapper and producer rooted in self discovery through sound. Originally from Newport News, VA and now based in Philadelphia, he blends jazz inspired, genre bending hip-hop with raw, introspective honesty. TRiUMPH…! marks his most ambitious body of work to date. We’re so hype to have him taking part and performing live at our Spring Fundraiser this Saturday at @wonderlandfishtown 🗣️ BYOB, Ticket link in our bio! Interested in vending? We still have one vendor slot left, DM if interested. #phillycityrepairproject #smoothwaffle #fundraiser #phillymusic #fishtown

🧇 Samurai Jack type beat…! #smoothwaffle #explorepage #beats #push2 #fingerdrumming

Sometimes that “opp” you so pressed about ain’t even a person… it’s the decisions you keep making that walk you right back into the same cycles. letting go of that idea, that habit, that feeling… that’s the part that makes you sick. you know better. when you gon do better? I am proud to announce SHADOWERK…! , shot and directed by @aceadelic produced by @shvn.localcrew will be featured at this year’s @musicvideoshowcase May 21st. If you never got round to witnessing the whole visual what are you waiting for? 👀 #smoothwaffle #SHADOWERK #musicvideo #glumglums #meVSme

🧇Jamz and all I couldn’t stop thinking about this one lol As of late I been cooking to express, sometimes without directions, just feeling. Sometimes its raw, a lot of times its finding pretty ass chords and some hard drums to fall into. Been appreciating the exploration…! #smoothwaffle #beats #ableton #livingover #beatmaker