RAP MOMENTUM



 “I'm a man with the passion and drive to reach my best. When it comes to my music, I strive for artistic expression. I don’t curse, talk dirty, degrade women, or try to materialize in my rap music because I personally feel there’s no place for it.” ~Brandon Smith

 

 

With so many aspiring rappers trying to compete for top spots a selected few emerge through the cracks of getting high accolades. The unique rhyming skills, swag, story-telling lyrics all tell a rappers ‘truth’, that’s been harbored. The road to success isn’t easy but in most cases failure is always the best teacher. Dubbed the nickname, “Smith Dragon” or “Dragon Fly”, due to his fascination with dragons/mythical creatures as well as hip hop lingo “spits fire/ hot rhymes”. Brandon Smith is one who redefines the motto. You won’t see him rolling with an entourage, lyrically sounding cliché or backed by a major record label. He won’t follow a trend but may set one.  

This visual artist prodigy eventually discovered his gifts in both music and acting during his sophomore year of high school. Between this time and starting college he began to concentrate more on his rap. Smith understands the mixtape hustle and very aware that many artists tour solely off mixtapes without ever releasing an album. He recorded two mixed tapes (“Dragon of the Underground” and “Dragon of the Underground: Session 2”), a smart move for any rapper looking to create a buzz. He continued to hone his various forms of artistry while in college. In May 2010 he graduated from Southern Illinois University of Carbondale and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications, with a focus on audio production and minor in art.

The following month, June 2010, he released his first original album-“The Dragon-man Prophecy” sold on Amazon. His next project took a year and a half to complete. So in June 2012 he finally released a full 10-track mixtape: “The Prelude Vol. 1” to prepare for the release of his second album that’s currently in the works. I delved into his world even further to find he’s been a feature in several plays. In September 2012, he completed his first original oil painting in his art career titled "Mother N' Son". I recently caught up with the rapper, visual artist and actor to find out more about this triple talent. And it goes a little something like this.

 UC: Who were some of your influences growing up?

BS: When influences come to mind, I think about how the artistic straits have ran in my family. Not only artistic influences among family but music influences as well. My mom and my aunts were really up-to-date with the artist that were out at the time when I was little. The memory of that environment carried into my artistic influences being family, Batman and Bugs Bunny. Then my main music influences became 2 Pac, Nelly, Jay-Z, and Nas.

UC: What sets you apart from some of the artists that we hear today?

BS: While other artists seem to care about the next sell-out way to make a stack, I'm an artist who cares about great verbal artistic expression. Rap music means more to me then money or fame, it’s creating works that transcends time and meeting people where they are. Not many artists do that nowadays.

UC: How do you prepare yourself for a song…what’s usually your process?

BS: Simple, I'm constantly keeping my ears and eyes open that sparks a great idea. My process of writing a song starts with a concept. At times I write down a few lines and other times I’ll write a whole verse or full song before I even have a beat. For me the hook usually comes first. If I hear a beat I'm really feeling, a concept comes to mind and that becomes the foundation for the whole song.

 

 UC: Tell us about your latest project/album. What's your favorite track on this album and why?

BS: Well I hadn’t put out any new music since 2010 so I put out a mixtape “The Prelude Vol. 1”, it was time. There are many tracks on this album that many responded well to but my all time favorite is "Momentum". If I could take all the emotion, all my thoughts, and give a sense how things were going on around me in one song, "Momentum" was that song and a great track to end my favorite project so far.

UC: Who are you currently listening too right now?

BS: Kanye West, Jay-Z, Nas, and Alicia Keys are the main artist whose albums I've always kept adding to my collection. Though I have much respect for the craft of these listed rap artists, I don't always agree with their lyrical content. Therefore Christian artist like KJ-52, Grits, Flame and Lecrae have also caught my attention in recent years. In general, I mostly listening to 80s music.

UC: Who would you like to work with on a track and why?

BS: I could say Kanye or Jay-Z but that would be most expected. I would like to work with Eminem mainly because of those who see me as a bridge builder. Although there are few similarities and a ton of creative differences, I don’t listen to everything he puts out. I respect the story he tells, I enjoy the creative production and lyricism he gives, and he's one of the examples of how Hip-Hop culture is transcending race. To me working with Eminem on a track wouldn’t be this black/white thing or Christian or non-Christian thing. I see it as paying homage to the older and experienced generation. These kinds of working relationships, in the industry, are a great thing and no artist should deprive themselves of those opportunities.

UC: I understand that you performed in some local plays, is that something you want to do more of?

BS: Having an opportunity to be involved in any performance is great but I've out grown the local performances. I’d like to be more challenged and experience more growth. Maybe move towards commercials, t.v., and movies and maybe professional theater would be a good next step for me.

UC: Being a man of various talents, how do you manage to balance them all?

BS: I pick and choose which projects I’m willing to give 110% and learn how to say "no" when needed. All forms of art that I'm experienced in all have a way of working together in many ways that I use them. Being a visual artist helps with designing CD covers as well as making extra money for beats, CD duplication, or recording equipment. Then performing in plays helps with stage presence and capturing the attention of the audience.

UC:  What do you do in your down time?

BS: In my down time I nerd-out! I spend time on various hobbies. I’m a movie-buff, I like reading and collecting comic books, collecting vinyl records, and playing video games. Besides being an outward nerd I also stay involved with church, being a part of a team of youth leaders and spending time with family and close friends.

UC: Tell us something that you want people to know about you?

















BS: There was a time when I was very antisocial and now I've become a people person who really cares. I understand my abilities are not just to benefit me but to benefit all of mankind in a positive way.

UC: Any advice for someone interested in following in your footsteps?

BS: There's already a Brandon Smith just like a Jay-Z, a Kanye West, a Nas, and a Drake. Seek out your own identity and understand that just because certain things become popular doesn't mean you have to follow those claimed-to-be popular things. Just stick to what's really you and know and understand why it's you.

 And this is why he SPITS TO THE BEAT OF HIS OWN DRUM

You can catch more on this artist here (facebook) 

To purchase/checkout his music go here (Reverbnation) 
Or here for Amazon. 

(Artwork:Brandon Smith- President Obama, Rosa Parks on bus and Mother N' Son)

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