HolySmokes
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HolySmokes

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"YOU DON'T KNOW ME: Holy Smokes"

My name is: Holy Smokes
Straight outta: Brooklyn, New York

This is my story:
It was just my moms when I was growing up. She got seven kids: fives girls, two boys. I’m second oldest. I had to be the breadwinner. So that’s what kept me in the streets or whatever. My mom’s from England. My father’s Jamaican. He was a gangsta. There’s a book being written on him. The Untouchables was the name of [his] gang. They were terrorizing in the 80s. But their reign went down.

He just got out of jail after 17 and a half years.

School was just not doing it.[And] I was on the honor roll and all that. [But] I was supporting myself, been living on my own since I was like 14. So…I needed to get that gwap. I was like, “School got to take a time out. Right now I got to hit the streets and pay them bills.”

I started really rhyming at 9. I was freestyling. I didn’t write a rhyme until I was about 13.

I was on Sunz of Men album. Had two songs on there. The song I did was on the soundtrack for a movie called, American Gangstas. Then, their label D3, folded. Thing is, I didn’t sign nothing. I didn’t know anything was coming out. But when I contacted my lawyer they tried to get at [D3] and they was like, “There’s no money.” Everything folded. If I had spoken up from the jump I would have had enough information to know what they was pushing it.

What shocked me was how phony people are. That’s what shocked me the most being in this business. I thought it was a lot of unity, and everybody stick together and we best friends or whatever. [But] being around a lot of rappers, I noticed it’s not like that. Everybody got they problems… and you got to get in where you fit in. And watch where you’re getting in at too.

This is my influence:
I’ve always wanted to do music. It wasn’t a bright idea to me. I was always running around like, “Yo, I’m the illest rapper. I will battle you!” I was rhyming from the time I can remember.


But I really, really knew I wanted to do it when I heard Slick Rick. He just gave me that stamp like, This is the type of sound of music I want to be associating myself with. I had a group when I was younger called Variety Of Styles. and I used practice different styles and teach cats in my group how to practice different styles. That led me to want to flip a lot of styles.

This is why I'm hot:
I think that everything has its time. To me everything is a 360. It’s like a boomerang. New York was on top at one time and the south was at the very bottom. People ain’t even understand the south. So when you think about everything in life, it’s like how the earth rotates in 360 degrees. Hip hop is going to go around the globe and come back around.

It’s like Eminem said, you got one shot. When you see your opportunity, don’t slip up.

I’ve got an ear for good music. That’s why my shows are so energetic. I throw my hat and chain off. It’s rowdy. I’m like a mid-energetic Lil Jon mixed with Busta.



­ - Linda Hobbs - http://www.vibe.com/news/online_exclusives/2008/09/holysmokes_next/


"Exclusive Interview with Holy Smokes"

(Holy Smokes -BK's Finest)

Holy Smokes was the 1st Place Winner of Urban Threshold's A&R Revue with Atlantic Records in March 2008


What sets you apart from other aspiring rappers?

My solitary voice, my spirited performance and my ability to switch my swagger at anytime.

What is the philosophy by which you live by?

Karma is real. You get what you give!

Which artists have inspired you?

Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane, BIG

Who does your production?

AZ We Enter LLC, Chrome Production, The Rich Music Inc., Shawneci

What is your opinion of the current state of Hip Hop?

You must always be prepared for the unexpected change of hip hop. Hip hop styles are spread out full circle. It's a growing culture. It's going back around to the old school era on the vibe.

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be and why?


I would change the lack of unity within the Hip Hop culture. This culture is not for one, its for all. It has traveled throughout the world and has become one of the most powerful sources of communication. With this power, the Hip Hop culture should be at the top of defeat on all levels.

What can we expect from you within the next 5 years?

You can expect a dedicated entertainer who is productive and ongoing. Great music loyalty to my fans and a lot of food for thought.

Any artists you would like to collaborate with in the future?

I would work with any artist that has originality, signed or not.

What producers would you like to collaborate with in the future?

Both professional and amateur producers. I love many hot beats. I dont discriminate.

What is your favorite movie and favorite book?

Movie = Set It Off
Book = Black Boy by Richard Wright.

What are some major misconceptions that you think people have about you?

Major misconceptions = most people thinking that I'm already signed .


What is your favorite part of your live show? How has it evolved?

My favorite part of my live show is audience feed back. Once the beat grabs the crowds attention, I can see the expression on everyones face, hungry for my next utterance.

What is your LP going to be like?

Energetic live and hot.

What is your website?

www.myspace/holysmokesnyc

Any final words for the people?

Just keep your eye open for your boy. The name holy smokes will be a house hold brand like mc Donald's. We going to make it through hard work, dedication and committment to good music. Peace and one love
- HipHopPalace.com


"Exclusive Interview with Holy Smokes"

(Holy Smokes -BK's Finest)

Holy Smokes was the 1st Place Winner of Urban Threshold's A&R Revue with Atlantic Records in March 2008


What sets you apart from other aspiring rappers?

My solitary voice, my spirited performance and my ability to switch my swagger at anytime.

What is the philosophy by which you live by?

Karma is real. You get what you give!

Which artists have inspired you?

Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane, BIG

Who does your production?

AZ We Enter LLC, Chrome Production, The Rich Music Inc., Shawneci

What is your opinion of the current state of Hip Hop?

You must always be prepared for the unexpected change of hip hop. Hip hop styles are spread out full circle. It's a growing culture. It's going back around to the old school era on the vibe.

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be and why?


I would change the lack of unity within the Hip Hop culture. This culture is not for one, its for all. It has traveled throughout the world and has become one of the most powerful sources of communication. With this power, the Hip Hop culture should be at the top of defeat on all levels.

What can we expect from you within the next 5 years?

You can expect a dedicated entertainer who is productive and ongoing. Great music loyalty to my fans and a lot of food for thought.

Any artists you would like to collaborate with in the future?

I would work with any artist that has originality, signed or not.

What producers would you like to collaborate with in the future?

Both professional and amateur producers. I love many hot beats. I dont discriminate.

What is your favorite movie and favorite book?

Movie = Set It Off
Book = Black Boy by Richard Wright.

What are some major misconceptions that you think people have about you?

Major misconceptions = most people thinking that I'm already signed .


What is your favorite part of your live show? How has it evolved?

My favorite part of my live show is audience feed back. Once the beat grabs the crowds attention, I can see the expression on everyones face, hungry for my next utterance.

What is your LP going to be like?

Energetic live and hot.

What is your website?

www.myspace/holysmokesnyc

Any final words for the people?

Just keep your eye open for your boy. The name holy smokes will be a house hold brand like mc Donald's. We going to make it through hard work, dedication and committment to good music. Peace and one love
- HipHopPalace.com


Discography

Album - Where There's Fire?
Single - Ah Bout

New Single - We Got Dat!

Photos

Bio

From the County of Kings to the streets in the hood, Holy Smokes stands up for true hip-hop. While basketball was a dream, spitting fire on the mic was a reality. At the age of 9, meeting and free styling with rap veterans Whodini in a Harlem barbershop pointed the young rapper towards his future.

Many competitors alleged he lacked experience, but couldn’t deny his talent. Performing in the past with skilled hip-hop patriarchs such as, Method Man, Doug E. Fresh etc. has contributed to his unique way of self expression. Constant MC annihilations, continuous battle victories and straight respect for lyrical art have allowed Holy Smokes to establish a permanent position in hip-hop.

Street based, intelligent, and forthcoming are just a few depictions of this innovative Brooklyn, NY rapper. Long lyrics match the frame and the locks. With élan vital, strategic words and his distinctive voice, Holy Smokes is predicted to take hip-hop to a new vista.