Q&A With Rising Atlanta Based Hip Hop Artist Smitty Bandz
We want to thank you for dropping such a dope project recently “Kreative Xpressions 2”, You have been featured on our BLOG now for well over 3-4 years now!! Maybe if not more!!!..LOL We appreaciate you always fuckin with us since the jump!! Let us know how 2018 treated you so far!? And what plans do you have for 2019!!!
First off, thank YOU for always supporting the underground! I think it’s important to stay in tune with what’s going on in the underbelly of it all because that’s where the mainstream pull from, so salute to yall! But yeah, 2018 was a grind, I learned a lot this past year. A lot of blessings a lot of tears. A lot of GROWTH. It was a year that set up 2019 very well for me. I released part 1 of “Kreative Xpressions” and a few visuals such as “Legit” which you guys featured also. I plan on taking things a step further with my promotion and the platforms I deal with and try to reach a wider audience now that my foundation is solid. If you googled me right now you’ll see a BUNCH of music, videos, etc. So at this point to end up on a bigger platform would make all the sense in the world. The new year is all about more growth, more travel, more blessings, all positive energy!
We notice your style and originality is getting better and better as the years past. How are you able to keep your pin game sharp and stay consistent! Any secrets you might want to let the youngsters know about!!!..LOL
Thank you I appreciate that for real. I think the secret to any great song writing is to be true to yourself. Speak from the heart. I dont physically write anything, I stopped in December 2011. My brain thinks too fast for my hand after years of doing this. It became second nature to compose a 8, 12, or 16 bar verse in my head. Not freetyle but the way Jay z sits and Bob’s and paces then says let’s go, that’s my process literally. Everything you hear is done that way. It’s not as hard as it sounds because it’s my feelings rather than sitting trying to make things rhyme and sound good. I dont focus on “bars” I just work and that’s what makes it pop. People gravitate to that type of natural energy. So my biggest secret is, keep writing, be yourself, dont think too hard, let it flow and make magic! Perfect the craft!
Congrats on the success of your latest album, “Kreative Xpressions 2”. Feel free to breakdown the creative process of the project. (features, production, etc). Where can people find the project?
For this one I tried to find new ways to Express myself as creative as possible. I make it a point to be original and not imitate anyone else, so that’s key for me. The beats I pick have a lot to do with the direction I go in, and also the NEXT beat that I pick. It all has to gel. Once I have the beat, the hook is based off how the beat makes me feel. Like “side up” is a very anthem sounding beat so I chose to make a record for my hometown that we could play and feel some sense of pride. There’s a lot of talent in YC, and I had to put that out there. I also wanted to give insight to our city a bit from a first person view sonically. Then “Diyung” goes into how people die so young here and paints a picture you can almost see with the first verse. Then boom, “flossin” picks you back up, it’s a rollercoaster in ways. It has to be a diverse experience for me. The recording process is my favorite part outside of maybe visual performance. If I dont like how a song or a playlist sounds first nobody hears it. I’m a bit of a perfectionist so if it dont knock for me first it dont knock haha! I stayed away from features this time too because I wanted to put myself on full display, and take the weight sink or sail. Glad you guys enjoyed it bro!
Are you planning on releasing any videos to complement “Kreative Xpressions 2”. Or are you going to let the record gravitate as an exclusive listening experience?
Right now we shot “DiYung”, that’s a dope visual with shots of the city. I plan on doing more in the near future, I’d say “Side up” and “iCame” are two to expect to see. Both are going to be dope to shoot. I want to do something very unified for side up. Something that involves artists and the people of the city, and then promote it to the world so they see what we on! So expect more visuals, and also if you want to see a visual dont hesitate to hit me online and let me know the songs you wanna see!
With this industry being so fast pace, being so busy promoting yourself, what advice do you have to those who are barely releasing their first record, and trying to break into the business?
Have a budget ready. That is KEY. Invest in yourself. You have to be willing to invest. Investing shows you believe in you before anyone else. You cant slide by trying to not pay for promotion, or beats, or studio time, or equipment etc. So budget first. Planning is also key. Picking art, picking dates to drop, it’s a grind. Start with the music and once you have that, get out and use that budget to get it out there. Beware of vultures trying to feed off of your want to break into the industry. No label is going to email you saying we heard you and not name the song or project, and ask for money. Scammers are everywhere! That’s a good light bit of advice to start off with. Make dope music, have your budget, plan ahead, and watch for the snakes. Keep the grass cut!! And dont sign ANYTHING without a lawyer or having it looked over. Ownership is big!
How does social media playing a role in your success? How are fans / supporters helping your movement?
Social media is a good way to be in people’s faces. No matter where you are in the world social media connects you. I get some dope supporters, and then I get some trolls, it’s all a part of the game. The people who like and share everything are a major factor in helping the movement move. Without them we as artists are nothing so I always pay homage to the riders out there. I go as far as, I had a homie who supported the movement and wanted to put one of his cars he detailed in a visual so I put HIM in the video WITH his car. That’s the type of artist I am. I’ll chop it up if I have the time, I’ll kick it, etc. Big ups to everybody who supports Smitty Bandz, and the Rebel Mob Movement!! You are Rebel Mob! So salute to all my Rebels!
With this being an underground hip hop site, we always ask this important question. What is your definition of “underground hip hop”?
Raw, original, creative material. Everything comes from the underground even our dance moves. It’s how major artists keep going once they become disconnected in a sense to that part of them. How many major artists like say drake, take a artist who’s poppin in the underground, slap a verse on they shit, and get another hit off that underground artist? Song already a hit and they come and take the energy from it. So the underground is to be respected and appreciated in my opinion. Period. I will never turn my back on the underground. I am the underground. WE are.
Where can people find you on the Internet? Drop all the vital links.
Facebook.com/smittybandzofficial
Snap chat- RebelMob
IG- @SmittyBandz (personal) / @SmittyBandzOfficial (Artist)
Lastly, and shout out?
I have to shout out the supporters! My hometown! My 2nd home uptown 400 exit.7! UGHH for posting my material since 2013! My family! ALL the artists in YC! All the aspiring artists! Everybody living life as positive as possible! Look out for my label, and the upcoming “Dub n Bandz” project with my day one! Peace and love! #PositiveEnergy
