conducted by Hugo Lunny
MVRemix: For those that are now hearing about you for the first time, tell us about yourself.
2 Smoov: I am a man that wears many hats. I am 200% about business and I grind every minute of each day trying to find that one shot. I’m a Midwesterner, so pretty laid back in personal life-a family guy. Ultimately, I am your professional-type that grew up in the hood. I grew up in the projects amongst gangstas, crime, etc. So I know the street life and have lived the street life, and that what makes me hood- but my brain and my will to make it big overrides any ties to the past. I spit about the life of a grown man and my real life situations, not catch phrases and popular trends. I am simply a legalized hustler/grinder that lives by a simple creed…Give it your all or None at all.
MVRemix: How did the moniker 2 Smoov come about?
2 Smoov: 2 Smoov originated back in the day as a kid. It really isn’t anything complex. I had/have a way with words. My word play, originality, and vocabulary is a bit more advanced than some others. So the way I spoke to the ladies, in school, and my demeanor as a whole generated “too Smooth” which converted to 2_Smoov as a part of general creativity!
MVRemix: How does living in Omaha, Nebraska shape your attitude towards music, art and culture in general?
2 Smoov: Living in the Midwest as a musician is difficult in its own…but in Omaha, NE is even more difficult. Because we have not yet had our breakout artist as Nelly was to St. Louis, the support for our hip hop artists is non existent. In order to make up for the lack of support, I have found that networking outside of the city is much more beneficial. When I have done my shows and performances outside of the Midwest, I have received more love and support from home.
I truly feel that in my city, we have some talent, but the grind as a whole is not there; also, we do have a local radio night every week but our DJ’s, radio stations, promoters, etc. as a whole, are not cooperative with the artists for whatever reasons…so the support base is hard to grow. I have DJ’s playing my music in heavy rotation in numerous cities in the South as well as international support from hip hop lovers. I even have had play in surrounding cities receiving much love. But in my city…play is limited. The good news is…all that can and will change.
Overall, once I make It happen for Omaha, the entire state will back the hip hop movement and the doors will be opened for many others. The potential is here and now the artist is here…the next step is up, for the city as a whole!
MVRemix: On the song “Mo Brains Than Money,” you make a comment towards D4L and laugh at “Laffy Taffy” being a hit. What are your feelings on songs along those lines becoming so popular?
2 Smoov: Hip Hop took a turn for silliness as the popular trend for awhile. Childhood references such as “Laffy Taffy”, nursery rhyme tracks, and other works of the sort were definitely catchy and made people tap their feet. But they have absolutely no substance…no meaning. I am not knocking the hustle, nor the grind and work you have to put into it, but it is only a temporary “fix” to hip hop. You think people would be talking about Biggie, Pac, Jay Z, and the pioneers of hip hop for so long based off of these types of songs? No… Again, I can respect the hustle, but as I explain the song “Mo Brains than Money”, I can only laugh at the creativity and keep doing what I do to make my stamp on the game.
MVRemix: The song also talks about intelligence and potential versus current success - what makes you so optimistic?
2 Smoov: Contrary to today’s most listened-to hip hop, there is life outside of gangsta, sex and lies. Everything I have done in life has gained support due to the passion behind my grind and the confidence I have in myself. I truly feel it will be no different with the rest of the music world when I am unleashed with my powerful words, relevant analogies, and professionalism. My overall swagger demands respect and I will NOT stop until I reach the mountaintop.
MVRemix: You’re currently working on two albums, can you tell me about those?
2 Smoov: I wanted to give the people something different than rap alone. I am currently working on a collaborative album with a producer/singer in Omaha, NE that will mix the art of song/rap together and blow people’s minds! This album is still a work in process and a date of release will be announced upon completion. My last album I released was Hustle N My Bloodline. It was an album that explained my background of the streets and the struggle/hustle. It was an introductory album, but this upcoming album “My Claim to Fame” is the one I believe will explode and get that well- deserved attention to make me a National Act!
MVRemix: Tell me about “My Claim To Fame,” How did the title come about?
2 Smoov: “My Claim II Fame” is a project I have been working on for the past year since the release of the last album. From the very beginning of writing the first track, I knew it was going to be a special one. It involves more about “me” and my life and how it is relevant to real life. It has swagger, it has meaning, it has ridiculous hooks. I believe it is the beginning of my future…hence, My Claim II Fame!
MVRemix: How long did the record take to record and how planned was it - ie did you set out with a tracklisting and stick to it or record a number of songs and chose a select amount leaving the rest on the “cutting room floor”?
2 Smoov: I generally write the tracks and recite them over and over. I can usually feel when a particular song will make the cut or not. If I don’t feel it out loud, I NEVER record it. I try not and waste time. It took me about three months of actual recording time. My sound has to be top notch…No “undergroung mixing” is allowed.
MVRemix: What do you wish to achieve with the album?
2 Smoov: One word; stardom.
MVRemix: Any videos planned?
2 Smoov: I will be launching a video for the album upon results from the pre-listening activities from various members of my circle… we will choose the most video-worthy track and shoot the video. Date to be announced.
MVRemix: As a songwriter, who has influenced you?
2 Smoov: As a youngster, obviously the big namers such as Pac and Biggie. Other than that, I really enjoy Lil Wayne’s word play and Mos Def’s “heart”.
MVRemix: Do you remember the first song you wrote?
2 Smoov: Yes Indeed. I wrote a full track to Usher’s Instrumental…You make Me Wanna! It was the only instrumental I had, and I figured I could write a song to it. It was pretty decent for a rap song over an R &B track. Well, in retrospect it wasn’t quite ready…but that was a very long time ago!
MVRemix: What’s the most influential song that you’ve heard?
2 Smoov: Mos Def. “Close Edge”. That’s the real deal right there.
MVRemix: In a sentence or less, what do you do to relax?
2 Smoov: Not a lot of time for relaxation.
MVRemix: Have fun with this one, a la “Fight Club” - “If you could fight any celebrity, who would you fight”?
2 Smoov: If I could fight one celebrity, it would be Arnold Schwarzenegger.
MVRemix: Would you win?
2 Smoov: Not for power rights, just to prove to the world that if you put real vs. fake… The edited version can always be erased.
MVRemix: Do you have any non musical aspirations?
2 Smoov: Once I make a giant name for myself, I plan on becoming the most powerful businessman/entrepreneur in the US. There are so many things that can be changed, especially in my city, as far as business goes. I want to take over the city first, and expand from there.
MVRemix: What next do we have to look forward to from you?
2 Smoov: “My Claim II Fame” is first. Make sure and look out for the video. Then, all I can say is stay tuned. It’s constant motion and upward movement.
MVRemix: Any last words?
2 Smoov: In closure, this is not your typical Omahan or Midwest hopeful. I am a sure thing, and it is not Arrogance…it simply factual. One can gear themselves up for “My Claim II Fame” by getting the last album now…”Hustle N My Bloodline,” available on I-tunes.
