Tag Archives: Smitty Bandz

Smitty Bandz – “3” (Album Review)

Atlanta based rapper, Smitty Bandz, has been releasing music for a couple years now, five in fact, based on the quick little bit of digging I did on Soundcloud and Spotify. His latest release, an album titled “3,” is an easy going project seemingly meant for the listener to soak in casually.

If you aren’t one who minds spoilers, I’ll tell you now; this album is okay. It isn’t exactly bad, but there are too many things that, in my opinion, keep it from being good. For instance, the very first song, “No Fear,” has absolutely no build up to it. The beat cuts in, and Smitty is rapping immediately at the 0.02 second mark. You can’t say that it’s the wrong way to open an album, but at the same time, in most cases, even when a rapper chooses to start on the first beat, there is some sort of space in between the start of the track and the actual song. There’s this buffer period that allows listeners to kind of prepare themselves and settle in first, but that’s not the case in “No Fear.” I know this is a very minor thing to discredit an album for, but I bring it up because that was my first impression of the project and it set the tone for the rest of my listening experience.

Moving on to a more broad topic of discussion, the lyricism is kind of hit or miss for me. A lot of it comes down to personal preference, so take this with a grain of salt, but personally, I prefer when artists have coherent lyrics that tell a story or stick to a theme. In the vast majority of the songs on the track, there seems to be no real correlation between the verses and the choruses. Smitty is just rapping to rap (which again, isn’t bad, it’s just a matter of preference). However, all of his choruses are just a couple lines put on repeat for two to four bars, and the rhymes in his verses tend to lean on the same couple syllables in each song. The last thing to mention is that he sometimes takes the “easy way out” and repeats one or two words at the end of each line to mimic a multisyllabic rhyme without having to actually write any.

The production isn’t bad, it just feels uninspired and a little lazy. Some of the beats are really good, my favorite being “Baby Food,” and some are just average. They kind of all take the exact same formula and duplicate it with minor tweaks. Take a four note melody, often from a keyboard, loop it, and then two bars in, toss some hi hats, heavy kicks, and maybe a tom or two with some sort of sound effect, and you’ve got your instrumental. On top of that, every now and then the mixing between vocals and instrumental is a little bit off like it is in “Shake and Bake.”

This seems like a largely negative review so far, and I guess it is. However, I can absolutely see some people really enjoying the style that Smitty Bandz has to offer. I’d equate him to a slowed down version of DaBaby. He’s got room for growth, but also I wouldn’t be surprised to see him grow an audience as he is now, so although I can’t say his music is for me, there’s always a chance that “Baby Food” is the next banger you put on your workout playlist and you can enjoy his other music from there.

Rating: 6/10

Highlights: Flow

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Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Smitty Bandz – “3” (Album)

Check out this new album by veteran Atlanta, GA based Hip Hop artist Smitty Bandz titled “3“.

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Smitty Bandz – “Saints Row” (Video)

Set to release his new LP “3” on Feb. 21st, Atlanta based rapper Smitty Bandz aka ThaHomieSmitster400 presents his first single release and video from the album, “Saints Row“.

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Q&A With Rising Atlanta Based Hip Hop Artist Smitty Bandz

We want to thank you for dropping such a dope project recently “Kreative Xpressions 2”, You have been featured on our BLOG now for well over 3-4 years now!! Maybe if not more!!!..LOL We appreaciate you always fuckin with us since the jump!! Let us know how 2018 treated you so far!? And what plans do you have for 2019!!!

First off, thank YOU for always supporting the underground! I think it’s important to stay in tune with what’s going on in the underbelly of it all because that’s where the mainstream pull from, so salute to yall! But yeah, 2018 was a grind, I learned a lot this past year. A lot of blessings a lot of tears. A lot of GROWTH. It was a year that set up 2019 very well for me. I released part 1 of “Kreative Xpressions” and a few visuals such as “Legit” which you guys featured also. I plan on taking things a step further with my promotion and the platforms I deal with and try to reach a wider audience now that my foundation is solid. If you googled me right now you’ll see a BUNCH of music, videos, etc. So at this point to end up on a bigger platform would make all the sense in the world. The new year is all about more growth, more travel, more blessings, all positive energy!

We notice your style and originality is getting better and better as the years past. How are you able to keep your pin game sharp and stay consistent! Any secrets you might want to let the youngsters know about!!!..LOL

Thank you I appreciate that for real. I think the secret to any great song writing is to be true to yourself. Speak from the heart. I dont physically write anything, I stopped in December 2011. My brain thinks too fast for my hand after years of doing this. It became second nature to compose a 8, 12, or 16 bar verse in my head. Not freetyle but the way Jay z sits and Bob’s and paces then says let’s go, that’s my process literally. Everything you hear is done that way. It’s not as hard as it sounds because it’s my feelings rather than sitting trying to make things rhyme and sound good. I dont focus on “bars” I just work and that’s what makes it pop. People gravitate to that type of natural energy. So my biggest secret is, keep writing, be yourself, dont think too hard, let it flow and make magic! Perfect the craft!

Congrats on the success of your latest album, “Kreative Xpressions 2”. Feel free to breakdown the creative process of the project. (features, production, etc). Where can people find the project?

For this one I tried to find new ways to Express myself as creative as possible. I make it a point to be original and not imitate anyone else, so that’s key for me. The beats I pick have a lot to do with the direction I go in, and also the NEXT beat that I pick. It all has to gel. Once I have the beat, the hook is based off how the beat makes me feel. Like “side up” is a very anthem sounding beat so I chose to make a record for my hometown that we could play and feel some sense of pride. There’s a lot of talent in YC, and I had to put that out there. I also wanted to give insight to our city a bit from a first person view sonically. Then “Diyung” goes into how people die so young here and paints a picture you can almost see with the first verse. Then boom, “flossin” picks you back up, it’s a rollercoaster in ways. It has to be a diverse experience for me. The recording process is my favorite part outside of maybe visual performance. If I dont like how a song or a playlist sounds first nobody hears it. I’m a bit of a perfectionist so if it dont knock for me first it dont knock haha! I stayed away from features this time too because I wanted to put myself on full display, and take the weight sink or sail. Glad you guys enjoyed it bro!

Are you planning on releasing any videos to complement “Kreative Xpressions 2”. Or are you going to let the record gravitate as an exclusive listening experience?

Right now we shot “DiYung”, that’s a dope visual with shots of the city. I plan on doing more in the near future, I’d say “Side up” and “iCame” are two to expect to see. Both are going to be dope to shoot. I want to do something very unified for side up. Something that involves artists and the people of the city, and then promote it to the world so they see what we on! So expect more visuals, and also if you want to see a visual dont hesitate to hit me online and let me know the songs you wanna see!

With this industry being so fast pace, being so busy promoting yourself, what advice do you have to those who are barely releasing their first record, and trying to break into the business?

Have a budget ready. That is KEY. Invest in yourself. You have to be willing to invest. Investing shows you believe in you before anyone else. You cant slide by trying to not pay for promotion, or beats, or studio time, or equipment etc. So budget first. Planning is also key. Picking art, picking dates to drop, it’s a grind. Start with the music and once you have that, get out and use that budget to get it out there. Beware of vultures trying to feed off of your want to break into the industry. No label is going to email you saying we heard you and not name the song or project, and ask for money. Scammers are everywhere! That’s a good light bit of advice to start off with. Make dope music, have your budget, plan ahead, and watch for the snakes. Keep the grass cut!! And dont sign ANYTHING without a lawyer or having it looked over. Ownership is big!

How does social media playing a role in your success? How are fans / supporters helping your movement?

Social media is a good way to be in people’s faces. No matter where you are in the world social media connects you. I get some dope supporters, and then I get some trolls, it’s all a part of the game. The people who like and share everything are a major factor in helping the movement move. Without them we as artists are nothing so I always pay homage to the riders out there. I go as far as, I had a homie who supported the movement and wanted to put one of his cars he detailed in a visual so I put HIM in the video WITH his car. That’s the type of artist I am. I’ll chop it up if I have the time, I’ll kick it, etc. Big ups to everybody who supports Smitty Bandz, and the Rebel Mob Movement!! You are Rebel Mob! So salute to all my Rebels!

With this being an underground hip hop site, we always ask this important question. What is your definition of “underground hip hop”?

Raw, original, creative material. Everything comes from the underground even our dance moves. It’s how major artists keep going once they become disconnected in a sense to that part of them. How many major artists like say drake, take a artist who’s poppin in the underground, slap a verse on they shit, and get another hit off that underground artist? Song already a hit and they come and take the energy from it. So the underground is to be respected and appreciated in my opinion. Period. I will never turn my back on the underground. I am the underground. WE are.

Where can people find you on the Internet? Drop all the vital links.

Facebook.com/smittybandzofficial

Twitter.com/gakasmittybandz

Youtube.com/smittybandz

Beingbandz.com

Snap chat- RebelMob

IG- @SmittyBandz (personal) / @SmittyBandzOfficial (Artist)

Lastly, and shout out?

I have to shout out the supporters! My hometown! My 2nd home uptown 400 exit.7! UGHH for posting my material since 2013! My family! ALL the artists in YC! All the aspiring artists! Everybody living life as positive as possible! Look out for my label, and the upcoming “Dub n Bandz” project with my day one! Peace and love! #PositiveEnergy

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Smitty Bandz – “Kreative Xpressions 2” (Album Review)

York Pa artist Smitty Bandz drops his latest project “Kreative Xpressions 2” from 1st glance the artwork speaks freedom and boldness. The songwriting ability was on display as this body of work was meant to show the versatility of Smitty Bandz as each song has its own defining moments that make this 7 track EP a quality kreative expression.

The album begins with “Side Up” the motivational song about how the hustle never ends, I especially like how the song keeps you engaged the whole time, The York Pa artist stylizes his way through this song stamping the introduction. The album keeps rolling as “DiYung” right away reminds me of Drake “From The Bottom” bouncy feel for sure made to show the day one squad love.  Smitty Bandz was able to flip his wordplay and make it unique to his label & situation.

The next song on the Ep was the melodic song “Flossin” I feel in love with the carefree melody that hooks the listener from the beginning. “Ooh Girl”  showed to be a testimony of the hard workers and grinders, Now the album begins to get to his heavy hitters, sonically the verses song as if Gucci or Yung Joc could be featured. I can almost say it’s my favorite song on the album but its to early to tell.

“Icame” another melodic soundtrack for the weed heads I can see a magical visual being created from this song along with the raw verse to match the song perfectly.  Smitty Bandz writing ability showing itself as the arrangement is always on point. “Tears,Pt 2” has a cinematic feel to it also I can see this song being placed in film & Tv.

Overall this EP is an absolute BANGER in my opinion!  He has been promoted on UndergroundHipHopBLOG.com for years already, so we clearly have been following his growth and consistency!  He is a true Hip Hop artist at the end of the day and artists like this will always shine as the years go by!  He can only get better and better and we are looking forward to what he has planned for 2019!

Follow him on FB, Twitter & IG!

RATING: 8/10 

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Smitty Bandz – “Kreative Xpressions 2” (Album)

New project “Kreative Xpressions 2” by rising underground Hip Hop artist Smitty Bandz!  The second chapter in the Kreative series, a diverse project of personal expressions.

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Smitty Bandz – “DiYun” (Video)

Rising Hip Hop artist Smitty Bandz is back with his new music video titled “DiYun“, off his latest project “Kreative Xpressions 2“.

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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