Smoove’L discusses his musical journey and new album ICE CUPS AND SHOOTOUTS.
Bedstuy’s own Smoove’L rose to popularity shortly after dropping breakout hit, “Apollo.” What may seem like an overnight success, is actually a story of triumph of 4 + years of hard work. Smoove remembers growing up listening to his mom play Mary J. Blige and R. Kelly, but outside of the house, it was his older brother Joey, who introduced him to the studio. Having a brother that raps motivated Smoove, but it wasn’t until 10th grade that he buckled down and began taking music seriously. Since 15, Smoove’s been studying the ins and outs of the game while successfully graduating from high school. Smoove went from waiting on 500 views to hitting millions all because of his diligence and incredible focus. Smoove’L knew that “Apollo” would take off. It was his plan. After carefully calculating each step he knew “Apollo” was it.
A year later, we find Smoove’L dropping his long-awaited studio album ICE CUPS AND SHOOTOUTS. Although this has been a difficult year due to Corona, Smoove isn’t fazed. This past year Smoove’L performed at Yams Day, had his hit record “Apollo” included in the New York Times’ Best Songs of 2020 list and signed with Interscope Records. After achieving a number of accolades this past year, Smoove’L is on the path to success and doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. Check out our full interview below.
The Knockturnal: Tell us about your stage name. How did you land on Smoove’L?
Smoove’L: It was first Smoove’L Da Finesser. I made a song where I said ‘Smoove’L L L.” Everybody in the hood knew the song and just started calling me that and I took the “Finesser” out and ran with it.
The Knockturnal: What was your upbringing like? Any musical influences at home? Your brother raps right?
Smoove’L: My mom used to play a lot of R. Kelly and Mary J. Blige. I’m just a kid from Brooklyn that’s all, run the streets playing basketball. Yeah, my older brother Joey, shoutout Joe. Joe in a group called the Pop Out Boyz, they signed by Quavo.
The Knockturnal: What was your upbringing like? Any musical influences at home? Your brother raps right?
Smoove’L: He started rapping first and I just used to be in the studio. What you hang around, you become.
The Knockturnal: When you were in the studio with your brother, did you know you wanted to pursue music or was it just regular for you?
Smoove’L: Nah, I never took it seriously, it was regular, but I knew how to upload songs.
The Knockturnal: At what point did that shift happen where you started taking music seriously?
Smoove’L: Around 10th or 11th grade, I was tryna do anything that kept me off the streets, so I tried playing basketball, but that wasn’t working so I started rapping and just ran with it. I started to see myself as a rapper around 15/16.
The Knockturnal: When did you write your first rap?
Smoove’L: I was 11 years old when I wrote my first rap and it was for a girl.
I wrote a rhyme to a girl when I was in 6th grade.
The Knockturnal: What have been the biggest highlights of your music career so far?
Smoove’L: My first show ever at Yams Day, shoutout A$AP Rocky he brought me out.
The Knockturnal: Did you think “Apollo” would be as big as it is?
Smoove’L: Yeah, I definitely felt that. I wrote it, so I had it planned. It was building. I was watching my steps build up from each song. It was building up so I knew this one was gonna go. I had caught my first million, when I caught the million, I’m thinking it’s lit already. I used to strive to get 500 views so 1 million was crazy to me.
The Knockturnal: How did it feel to see your song, “Apollo” listed as one of the New York Times’ best songs of 2020?
Smoove’L: That’s a blessing right there, it felt great. I came from nothing so anything I really get is a blessing.
The Knockturnal: How did signing with Interscope come about? What’s your favorite perk about being signed?
Smoove’L: My A&R Baroline, she reached out to me and kept calling me and calling me and she got on the phone and told me, ‘ain’t nobody else getting you.’ My favorite perk is the push. A label gonna make sure you’re everywhere. That’s what I like the most, the marketing.
The Knockturnal: How does it feel to drop your debut studio album? ICE CUPS AND SHOOTOUTS? How did you arrive at the title? What does dropping this project mean for you?
Smoove’L: My mans told me this before I was Smoove’L, that’s the crazy part and I just remembered it and all my mans agreed it was fire. It’s based on what I been through and experienced. I put hard work into this.
The Knockturnal: Will there be more visuals on the way?
Smoove’L: Yes! “4 The Fashion” dropping today and I’ve got more visuals with Jerry Productions coming up.