MMIM: Tell the MMIM Readers who Smit Rock is.
SR: Smit Rock is a person first and foremost. Just basically an artist that can tell a whole story. Not many people can tell a whole story. You normally see an artist that says he played really good in basketball. He would probably compromise that for the street if he was doing both or vice versa. With me I did not compromise anyone of my lifestyles and for that reason I can tell a whole story. From my past to where I am at right now I have a broad reality and I can speak from a lot of different perspectives. That is who I am and that is what I deliver creatively through music.

MMIM: How were you discovered?
SR: I was actually discovered by Steve Francis. He had a friend that heard me and he liked me, so he introduced me to Steve while he was doing music. From there I was able to meet all of the people from Houston like Bun B, artists from Rap-A-Lot Records, and J-Prince. From there I was messing with DJ Jealousy and Walt Williams. Then I got discovered by Chucky Thompson through a college friend that is from here. My old coach knew Chucky Thompson, gave him my CD and within a week I was in his office and he said he wanted to sign me.

MMIM: I have read that both of your parents are visual artists. Were they or are they still heavily into music and how has that influenced your music career?
SR: My mother is not really into music as much anymore, since she got saved. My father has always been into music when I was younger he played African, jazz, and blues – all types of music. He just wanted me to really be connected and know how powerful music is. Its effecting me because I am able to deliver a message and able to create music from a lot of different angles and execute a lot of different sounds.

MMIM: When did you realize that you wanted to pursue music?
SR: When I was about 12. I always had a gift to speak to people. When I was in high school and a lot of people were losing their jobs – I made a speech that saved two people’s jobs. The speech came from the heart. When I am holding a microphone I know I can speak. At first music was therapy for me,but I realized that I could use it as a tool to lead people and make a difference in the world for those individuals that count to me.

MMIM: How has it been working with Chucky Thompson?
SR: It has been a blessing working with Chucky first and foremost because he really brings out the artist in you. Whatever you are going through in life he is able to basically push you and show you how to translate that into music or a melody. He pushes you hard and does not let you settle for average or good. Working with Chucky makes you become twice as good just to get an equal shot and you kind of realize that. And when you work to be twice as good you always end up better.

MMIM: Do you have any upcoming projects and if so can you tell us about them?
SR: We got mix tapes coming out and I am working on an album. The album is actually almost finished. I am getting radio play on my singles and we plan to work on a couple of shows in Houston and D.C.

MMIM: What would be your first single off of the album?
SR: My first single that I released to the streets was this record called Look at Me featuring Bun-B. The people chose this single. With the record industry it’s like certain records are cool, but you have to have a break out record. That was a high energy record that the DJ’s and the people clung to.

MMIM: As an artist within this industry. How would you define success?
SR: When you come into this game whatever your values and goals are if you accomplish them and stick to your principles and don’t sacrifice them throughout the game. It’s also about reaching the people that you want to reach and getting your point across to those people through your music.

MMIM: Do you ever feel like you have to compromise who you are in order to succeed in the music industry?
SR: No because I feel like that would damage my character and my career. The best thing for
me to do as an artist is to be myself and put my total self out there. When you try to do
something different or fit into a category you end up like everyone else. I feel very comfortable
being totally me and giving the world Smit Rock.

MMIM: Can you tell us about your first performance.
SR: My first performance was a long time ago. I was featured on somebody’s song. The Straightface click here in DC where they did a show with Juvenille when he had the “Bounce Back” single and I was able to perform.

MMIM: You had a listening party on August 14th. How was the music received and did you receive feedback on any of the songs while you were there or after the party?
SR: Yes people told me that they liked my energy when I presented my song. They also told me that they liked the song and wanted to know if how they could continue to hear my music.  All of the feedback was positive.

MMIM: How can your fans reach out to you?
SR: They can call this number (Laughs). Just Kidding. They can reach me through email at smitty27@tmail.com or through MySpace .

MMIM: Do you have anything else that you would like to share with our readers?
SR: I just want to let the MMIM readers to look out for the movement with Black Diamond and Chucky Thompson and support the movement because DC has not had a powerful movement in making an impact within the hip-hop game. We have the opportunity to step up and get behind this movement so that we can represent DC as well as the tri-state right.