In The Spotlight: Hip Hop Artist J. Smith

Time for another spotlight! If you are or represent an upcoming artist, designer, dancer, etc., please visit our Features/Submissions page for more info on how to be featured on The Spotlight! 

Our latest spotlight artist has been one of my favorite up and coming artists for a very long time! His name is J. Smith, hailing from the Euclid/Cleveland area in Ohio. Attending the same high school as Kid Cudi protégé King Chip, who was a few years ahead of him, J. Smith said he got his start from a “fluke situation” when he was asked to be in a rap group by a fellow rapper by the name of Pyro. Smith said he went home, found a microphone, downloaded the Adobe Audition program and hasn’t looked back since!

When asked about some of his inspirations, Smith said,

“Everything inspires me. Before I use to not put my feelings, emotions on a record.  Even when I would try I wouldn’t fully commit.  I’m very private honestly; I like being the lowkey guy.  I had a fear of opening myself up on a song and just being completely honest about life and the experiences I been through.  But listening to rappers like Drake, J.Cole, Future, Chance The Rapper, and so many more, I began to understand why I felt their music so much and it was because they were telling at least some of my story or something I could fully relate to in their records. “

Admitting that he has the most respect for Drake, Smith revealed that he was impressed by Drake’s honesty on all his records. The artist also mentioned that 2 Chainz is one of his inspirations because he feels like over the last few years 2 Chainz’s lyrical abilities have gone unnoticed. He also mentioned other artists such as Kanye West, Audio Push and Lil’ Durk as artists that he looks up to.

Back in 2013, J. Smith moved from his home of Cleveland to Phoenix, Arizona to attend law school. When asked if this move has had any impact on his music, he said despite the lackluster amount of talent that he’s noticed how different hip-hop culture overall is out West compared to the Midwest. He The move had an impact on his life in general because around 2013, 2014, he couldn’t write a song to save his life. Smith was ready to stop making music and focus on his career as a lawyer, until one day something just clicked. Ever since he’s been in a zone, and now he thinks every time he writes, it’s something special.  Smith also admitted his new surroundings out West have allowed him to learn a lot about himself.

With J. Smith’s new project, Flowers For My Pain (released on June 27), he hopes to really show other artists and listeners of his music how unique he really is. Throughout this time of developing the project, the artist admits that he was dealing with personal problems, such as his mother’s drug issues and going to jail. He delves into this and more on “Mama’s Drugs” on the EP.  As an only child, Smith admits “it’s just a blessing I’m in this position,” and that, overall, he is trying to be like Dale Earnhardt and “find his own lane” by just being himself on tracks. Check out the mixtape in full below!

So what’s next for J. Smith? The artist plans to go back to studying to take the Arizona bar exam as well as focus on pushing his new mixtape. Besides that, he wants to take his Elevated Livin’ collective (which includes hip hop artist Sav) to the next level and continuing to inspire and motivate others!

Follow J. Smith On Twitter: @PressRecord_ 
Follow Him On Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jsmithelevatedlivin/

In The Spotlight: Hip Hop Artist Sav

Another spotlight today, with more on the way! As always, if you are or represent an upcoming artist, designer, producer, etc., and are interested in a feature, please visit our Features/Submissions page for more information!

Today, we have hip hop artist Sav! Taking time out of his busy schedule recording his new EP Walk With Me hosted by the well known DJ, Mr. Peter Parker, Sav provided us with a very insightful interview about his start in music, his new projects, and some of his favorite albums in 2015 so far. 

Representing for the city of Cleveland by the way of one of its suburbs, Warrensville, Sav got his start in music when he was about 11 or 12. When he would hear Bone Thugs-N-Harmony on the radio, the rapper would record their songs off the radio onto cassette tapes. As he learned about different artists from different areas,  he was further inspired to try and write his own raps.

Sav admitted that most of his inspiration comes from the city of Cleveland. “Right now, to be blunt about it, the city is a war zone. Young kids are killing and dying everyday,” the artist stated. “I want to show them that there is way more to life then that. I want to show them that getting rich and providing for your family is cool, not going to jail.” Music also serves an inspiration, as he considers himself to be a fan before he’s an artist. When he hears a dope song, bar or beat, it makes him want to go in the studio to create some dope music as well.

With his upcoming EP, Walk With Me, the rapper invites listeners to walk with him as he takes them down a path that gives a look into his life, his city and his generation. The project is also solely produced by a producer by the name of Snook and only has two features on it, fellow Cleveland artists Bei Sims and Jonre. 

In terms of what sets him apart, Sav believes it’s his vulnerability in music that makes him unique. “I am not afraid to say anything about whats going on
in my life or how i feel about certain situations,” he admitted. “I will let you know if I’m hurt, mad, [or] sad, and I think a lot of artists are not wiling to share as much personal stuff as I do in my music.” In the future, Sav plans to release new merchandise and music from his Elevated Livin’group, including his own big singles and features with the group.

Keep up to date with Sav on his official website and SoundCloud. You can also connect with him on Twitter and Instagram! 

Bonus:

Sav’s Top 3 albums of 2015

1. Kendrick Lamar– To Pimp a Butterfly

2. Big Sean – Dark Sky Paradise

3. Wale – The Album About Nothing

Which 2 artists would you love to see do a collaborative album from and why?

“Kendrick and Cole been teasing us for years now and that’s the one project I would still love to listen to. I know that project will be FULL of substance and that’s the kind of music I like. Plus , those are two of the best rappers in the game when it comes to lyrics.”