The Takeover: SBE J Smooth 

“I think that when I make music I'm changing the industry everytime. I believe the culture and everything around us influences us.”

For the Grand Finale of the SBE x IAHHM Takeover series we take a look at the rising artist J Smooth from Evansville, Indiana. In previous editions of the Takeover we took a look at his producer and long time friend SBE Big Taz and premiered Smooth's video for “Loussaa”. Smooth's love for hip hop came at a early age but at a steady pace as he started out listening to country or classic rock due to his mom's musical preferences. His older cousin and now manager really got Smooth interested in rap, keeping the family and business together. “My blood is my manager. We have had the connection with each other since the limewire days.”  In case you missed the Pt. 1 we introduced Big Taz who is best friends with Smooth and an SBE producer. Taz and Smooth met through another friend working at Virginia T's when Taz overheard Smooth freestyling. Not too long after the two met, Smooth moved in with Taz and began recording songs everyday chasing a dream and eventually inspiring Taz to produce. J Smooth got his rap name hooping from a guy named Eric Parker who typically called him J Smith, “smooth”happened to come out and the rest is history. and currently has Kanye West, NBA YoungBoy, G Herbo, Young Thug and Tee Grizzly in his mainstream top 5.  Using the artists that inspire him to make a better sound for himself, J Smooth's last project was with frequent collaborator and homie Just2Good when they released “School Yard Bullshxt”.

Now that music is in the streaming/live performance/visual era, J Smooth can break out as an independent act as he focuses on his stage presence above all. He loves performing and that is something very important missing from the game today. “One of my biggest moments so far was having my dad come out to a performance. He had a good time and that makes me feel good. To be able to have my parents like what I'm doing and accept my lifestyle, that's pretty big to me.” Making the scenery change from Evansville to Indianapolis could be beneficial for the SBE member as well who plans to make it big with any opportunity at hand. Smooth sees himself and the SBE gang going on tour, connecting with fans and networking with big time companies hopefully MTV being one of them. “Make my life a tv show for real. I bet it would do numbers!” Smooth keeps himself busy by writing, and recording is currently doing feature verses before he releases his next project expected to come in July. Connect with J Smooth and peep the video for “Loussaa” below? Where will SBE J Smooth and Taz end up on the TOP40 Charts? Leave Comments. Enjoy! Full Q&A below. 

“There is no limit on my success and I plan to do great things not just this 2018 but for many years to come.”

Where are you from ?

I am from Evansville Indiana. I lived out in spencer county when I was younger. Nothing but corn fields really. I moved to evansville to start middle school and I left my dad's at 17. I just recently moved to Indianapolis.

-How did the crew get started?

I met taz through another friend and we ended up working the same job together at Virgina Ts. But the Whole SBE movement was created by my homie G9.

-When and how did you get into music?

I grew up listening to what my mom had on the radio which mainly consisted of country or classic rock. Here and there I heard rap music. But once I started hanging out with my older cousin, who is now my manager, I was on limewire rapping In the mirror at like 8 years old lol.

-How did you choose your rap name ?

My Rap name was kinda given to me before I even started actually releasing music or anything at all. I was playing basketball and this dude Eric Parker always called me by my last name, Smith or J Smith. One day j smooth came out and it stuck.

-Who is in your mainstream top 5?

Mainstream top 5 *Kanye West * NBA Youngboy *G Herbo *Young Thug *Tee Grizzly

-What motivated or inspired you to record your last project?

My last project was with the homie Just2Good. It's called School Yard Bullshxt and the producer of the track actually inspired me to make the song. He was the dj at my last show and came through the crib once the show was over and made a beat for me that night.

-Has there been any time in your journey where you felt like pursuing something else instead of music?

No. I've always known music is my path in this world.

Whose side were you on.. Biggie Or Pac?

I honestly can't say, I fuck with both of their music heavy and if it came down to it i don't know if I could choose or not. They're both such icons and impacted the industry in their own ways.

If you had one song of yours to perform on national tv which would it be?

I would perform my remix to young thugs check. I feel like my flow on that beat is one of my best.

If you were offered a perfect distribution/sponsorship from every major company in america which company would suit you and your brand the most?

Fuckin MTV. Make my life a tv show for real. I bet it would do numbers!

-What is your favorite movie? Favorite actor?

 My favorite movie is Wanted. That shits dope to this day. Favorite actor would have to be either Will Smith or Will Ferrell.

-Tell me some of your biggest and/or most enjoyable moments so far?

One of my biggest moments so far was having my dad come out to a performance. He had a good time and that makes me feel good. To be able to have my parents like what I'm doing and accept my lifestyle, that's pretty big to me.

-What equipment and software do you use to record/produce?

 Pro tools, studio one, basic stuff.

-Name 3 things that make you unique as an artist?

I think that I'm unique because the energy I bring to the stage when performing is unreal. I think that collaborating with as many artists as i do makes me unique as well. I have many unreleased songs with 1 artist alone, Just2Good. Third thing would have to be that my blood is my manager. We have had the connection with each other since the limewire days.

-Where do you see yourself going with this? What are your big plans?

I plan to do what any other artist plans to do, make it big with the oppurtunity at hand. I see myself gong on tour and connecting with all my fans and making sure they understand it's about them as much as it is the artist. But I plan on never stopping. There is no limit on my success and I plan to do great things not just this 2018 but for many years to come.

-Any projects in the works?

 I'm always working on new projects whether or not I'm recording or writing, I'm always working and looking to put out more music. But I'm working on knocking out these last couple features I have and starting a tape to release in early July hopefully.

-What are your rates for features?

I charge 100 a verse and 50 a hook. If you need some fire hit me up.

-Whats the best way to get in contact with you if we need work done?

 Best way to contact me is through Twitter @JSmith2k15 Instagram @j_smooth83 or email my manager at mgsmith250@gmail.com