Joe Smizzy is the working man’s rapper. Instead of rhymes about hustling on the corners and hitting up strip clubs, he raps about every day struggles and hustling his 9-5 job. His music reflects the every man’s thoughts and emotions with versatility to connect with anyone. From fast paced flows to smart topical content, its hard not to like this charismatic artist.
Coming from the Bronx, NY, Hip Hop runs through Joe Smizzy’s veins. He started at the age of 9, influenced by family members that ranged from rappers to DJs t B-boys. At the age of 18 Joe Smizzy started taking his career seriously. The next step became getting his music heard all over the world. In 2010 he founded a rap group known as The Raggz. This three man group played shows through out the city including the world famous Apollo Theater. In that year Smizzy also put together a compilation mix tape working with various local artist from the South Bronx. During this time, he strengthened his skills as a song writer, coming up with various hooks and concepts.
Now as a solo act Joe Smizzy is ready to take center stage. He is using all the stages of his life as an influence for his music. From a young single playboy to a hardworking grown man, he’s ready to give the world an audio tour of his struggles from nothing to something.
Catch Joe Smizzy interview with V-Henny as we learn more of The Bronx Native Rapper.
V-Henny: Who inspired you to make music?
Joe Smizzy: I always saw my moms brother DJ for the hood for block parties and he used to let me emcee sometimes while he scratched on the turn tables (DJ Suggashack) (pronounced shugga shack) my fathers brother Hot Waterz he used to rap with his friends in his house with Drag-On and others from Bronxdale Projects (sotomayor now)
V-Henny: Please share with us the content behind your latest project “NUMB3R5″.
Joe Smizzy: Every song on the Album is number based. As I started this project the songs I was creating had this natural numbers theme behind them. I wasn’t trying to make them that way. When I heard the instrumentals I choose I sorta wrote the songs on the spot. Over the course of the creation process (about 6months) they just started to about numbers. 365 0 158 600 730 and the intro track numbers.
V-Henny: How long have you had this creative vision and what pushes you to be consistent ?
Joe Smizzy: My creative vision changes from project to project because I’m always in a different state of mind when it comes to this music. My kids Jonah and Ezra, my sons push me to be consistent.
V-Henny: Have you ever felt discouraged by the industry and if so how did
you overcome the thought/feeling?
Joe Smizzy: I do get discouraged at times as most artist do and that’s do personal issues family issues. To overcome them I ask the One and only for guidance and to help with clearing my mind to make better choices as a man.
V-Henny: Do you feel like you have overcome any boundaries you have set for
yourself? What were they and how did you conquer them?
Joe Smizzy: No boundaries really. I like to step out of my comfort zone because that’s how you grow as an artist and as a person. When I recorded Zero I just stepped up to the challenge of my engineer Geo the Rican. He told me to just go for it. I did and we made a hit.
V-Henny: How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
Joe Smizzy: It has impacted the music heavy ever since SouljaBoy. He was the first major click bait artist. And since then no matter how u may feel about him he’s been consistently making waves and money on other levels other than music.
V-Henny: What is the best advice you’ve been given?
Joe Smizzy: Never depend on day ones. Your respect and fan base comes from your grind as an artist and making total strangers fans.
V-Henny: If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
Joe Smizzy: The disadvantage independent artist have making it to the radio. I know Funk Flex recently said “it’s not my job to break your record” “radio is made to make you a superstar” but he started out breaking records and someone gave him a break.
V-Henny: What’s next for you?
Joe Smizzy: More music. More visuals. Movies and I love voice over work. you can bring life and personality to anything from behind I microphone. Maybe political work in the future.
V-Henny: What’s one thing you would want your fans to know about you?
Joe Smizzy: One thing would be I’m really in to politics and people being informed about what’s going on around them and in their neighborhoods.
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