SMOAK
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SMOAK

Houston, Texas, United States | SELF

Houston, Texas, United States | SELF
Band Hip Hop Latin

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Music

Press


"Billboard Worldwide Song Contest"

Jim Halsey
Song-(The Struggle)
Written by Larry Gutierrez Jr. (SMOAK)


Intro keeps interest
Lyrics are clear and defined, lyrical meter sounds right on.
Chorus is catchy
Good distinction between verses and chorus.

- Billboard


"Eugene Foley Review of SMOAK"

Foley Entertainment:
Eugene Foley
4/6/2007 12:01:26 PM

ARTIST: SMOAK

RATING SCALE
"1" Indicates the Lowest Score
"5" Indicates The Highest Score

Recording Quality/Production: 4.5
Lead Vocals: 5
Musicianship: 4.5
Lyric Writing: 5 (Excellent!)
Music Composing: 4
Melodies: 5
Song Arrangement: 4 to 4.5

Thanks for submitting the material for the evaluation.
I enjoyed listening to the songs.

When someone sees 4, 4.5 or 5 as their score in a category, that tells them, to me, they are in the professional league and have strong potential. It's a validation from a pro, letting you know you are doing a fine job.

Every artist should work hard to earn 4.5 to 5 in every category.

It's a very competitive business and people averaging in the 3's (or less) will probably not get too far without a great deal of improvement and development.

I don't give out 4's and 5's easily, so any of those you see, you have earned. Well done!

Eugene Foley
http://www.FoleyEntertainment.com

- Foley Entertainment


"South Korea Seoul Reviews artists of the month."

SMOAK - Texas : Flat out, I like this guy I'll tell you why. He's real. It sounds a lot like he's seen things through the eyes of his own life and through the people around him. He speaks of growing up on Smooth Oak being one of his inspirations for his lyrics. Kinda cool to see someone using their own life to create with and relate it to others. "SMOAK" whose real name is Larry Gutierrez Jr. has made his way through Texas selling mix tapes from the trunk of his car, just to get his message across, and take advantage of that DIY attitude. That's what it takes. Taking his own initiative have made some awesome inroads for this heavy rapper hip/hop king. He's also one educated man, he wants to know how musicians play, how music production works, he is well on his way. Mucho Gracias SMOAK, you rock!! - Seoul Reviews


"Meisa Battle Of The Bands!"

Feb 12, 2007

Hey SMOAK!

CONGRATULATIONS to you and the crew for coming in 1st place!! A job well done! You guys really impressed a lot of people with the combination of genres and sounds in the performance last night.

WOW!!! That was an awesome show!!! THANKS SO MUCH for making this the best MEISA event ever! Everyone I talked to in the venue was extremely impressed with the quality of the performances and how well everyone flowed with such a wide array of genres. Every single group did a BANG UP #1 job! I almost thought the judges were going to pull all their hair out.

Again Thank You!!

Connie
MEISA
Music & Entertainment Industry Students Association

- Houston Community College


"Battle of the Bands Review."

Tuesday, February 13, 2007


MEISA Battle of the Bands Review by Noelle Hay



SMOAK (www.smoothoak.com) and Freakuency Lounge (www.myspace.com/freakuencylounge ) impressed the audience with their mix of jazz, rock, Latin and hip hop. Their unique style and ability to merge so many genres into one song put them in the number one spot for the competition. SMOAK and Freakuency Lounge will be representing Houston in a regional competition and four hours of studio time.
- Meisa Houston Chapter


"Texas Sized Compilation"

Date:
2/23/2007 7:57:16 PM
A Texas Sized Compilation

SONG:“The Struggle” Written By Larry Gutierrez Jr. (SMOAK)
What a great song! Congratulations........
We are so thrilled to be able to feature you on this great CD that will be distributed at SXSW next month by myself and Charles Foskett.
Marty Marmor
Shmusicmusic USA
http://www.shmusicmusic.com
- Shmusicmusic USA


"Billboard R&B and Hip Hop Awards"

Congratulations!

You've been selected from an international pool of submissions by Billboard Magazine for a showcase opportunity at the 2007 Billboard R&B Hip Hop Conference & Awards.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thanks,

Dave Moser
Billboard Magazine - Billboard Magazine


Discography

"The Heist Mixtape"
"The Mextape Vol 1"
"Texas Sized Compilation CD" by SHMusicMusic USA
"Street Corner Hustler" by Rasheed
"Beyond These Walls"
"Beyond These Walls" Chopped and Screwed By GO DJ OG Ron C
"The Clarke Chronicles" Hosted by GO DJ Hi C
"DJ Smallz Presents The Southern Smoke College Tour Mixtape"
"The Clarke Chicano Mixtape"
"Bad Habit Mixtape Volume 1"
"Bad Habit Mixtape Volume 2"
"Swisherhouse presents 90% Grind 10% Sleep"
" Modern Day Suess"

Photos

Bio

Making your way to the land of “H-Town”(Houston, Texas), you will find the place where SMOAK calls home. The Hiram Clarke area has been his playground since 1978. “SMOAK” whose real name is Larry Gutierrez Jr. has a dual meaning. Initially it was created to recognize the rich heritage of this artist. The name is an acronym for “Smooth Mexican Of Another Kind”. It is also a kind of compound word that represents one of the loves of his life, the street from which SMOAK was raised.

SMOAK’s goal is to be given the opportunity to make the whole world listen to the music he puts his all into. After selling thousands of mix tapes out the trunk of his car SMOAK has developed a fan base throughout. SMOAK has recently placed 1st in 2007 in the "Meisa Battle of the Bands" to represent the Houston chapter of this national event. July 17, 2007 SMOAK released his solo debut album titled "Beyond These Walls" which contain collaborations that include producers and artist from the Houston area. DJ OG Ron C has also provided a chopped and screwed version of this very album. Having collaborated with Lil Flip and Rasheed(Dopehouse Records), SMOAK has gained even more access to the industry. SMOAK and Rasheed are touring together as well as promoting a up and coming album currently being finished. SMOAK has also been an opening act for Lil Flip, Devin The Dude, Chingo Bling, Pitbull, Juan Gotti and many more established artist in the hip hop community. In recent SMOAK was a semi-finalist for the BMI National Cuervoton Latin Competition. He was also The Burger King "Tu Musica, Tu Cuidad" competion Finalist. Appearing on the Burger King musica website brought more attention to this artist.

SMOAK started his journey into the music scene in 1998 signing a production deal that would help discover his ability to create music. SMOAK’s influences range from his parents who played instruments to other musicians to Dr. Suess. SMOAK is now continuing college majoring in music with the hopes of becoming a “master” at music. After recieving 3 degrees from HCC Performing Arts school of music, he has received a recognition award for music production specialization and singer/songwriter artist of the year from the school he once attended. He studied with his mentor, Dr. Aubrey Tucker, Dept. Chair of Music at NW Houston Community College, former band member of the late Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Tina Turner just to name a few. Also in 2007 SMOAK officially became a voting member of the Grammy recording academy.

SMOAK will become the next “Big Thing” when it is all said and done. “ SMOAK’s imagery has the ability to make even a speck of dirt relevant”, as quoted from Dr. Aubrey Tucker. With the completion of his debut album it is sure to become one of the most sought after albums of the year. So when you see SMOAK’s album in stores, be sure to buy it. You will be taken into a world of imagery and reality expressed in rhymes.

To quote SMOAK’s philosophy on music:

“I believe music is a universal language.
It is a therapeutic outlet which converts
negativity into something positive. As a
rapper, Im a journalist-a street journalist."