SXSW, A3C, Mid Atlantic Music, Millenium Music launch and more’, Wordsmith intends to fully expose his wisdom and knowledge to mainstream audiences.
The featured track, ‘I Got A Promotion’ is a beautiful compilation of band instruments. Effectively garnished with percussions and topped with a medium amount of base. The harmonious background vocals of The Big Band Theory and the sincere vocal cover and lyrical wordplay of Wordsmith contain meaningful lyrics that are completely moral filled and are a positivly motivational affirmation that confirms one’s progressive directional movement, educationally and career wise.
The music video is performed by Wordsmith with periodic appearances of group members playing instruments and a few children, apparently the targeted viewing audience. Mostly however, the focus is on Wordsmith and is performed as telling a story, however, it becomes more like a motivational music video or letter of instruction, describing the positive ripple effects of ‘getting a degree, getting the job, getting the promotion all the way up to getting the paycheck. The ultimate goal. Not just any paycheck either, a good paycheck. Overall, the track has an amazing sound quality.
The potential to be played on national or international media forums and radio, is what music lovers in general are looking for… For good, wholesome and more importantly motivational music. The ‘live-band’ is especially desired and allows for a broader audience appreciation spectrum. It’s not too often that you come across artists that can transfer across various genres of music. To reach other industry levels unattainable by solely performing hip hop and rap. Wordsmith has crossed those thresholds and has created, in effect, a new industry trend, by incorporating a much needed sense of moral value to the hip hop genre.
Its simply a beautiful work of art directed towards a much broader audience than mainstream hip hop. Look forward to more amazing, good quality, meaningfully, motivational music from this outstanding performer. I am sure there will be a lot more fantastic music from this dynamic artist and his creation; The Big Band Theory, as they continue to entertain and educate listeners with their energetically infused music.
By Linda Dawkins
Follow Linda on Twitter! @lindadz89
Songs played on the air via Exposed Vocals Broadcast Partner Program
Listen to “I Got A Promotion” being played on Kiss 104.7 FM
Listen to “I Got A Promotion played on Phoenix 98 FM
Exclusive Interview:
Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
Wordsmith: I actually heard of Exposed Vocals through a great friend of mine Maria Varella. I checked out the site based on her recommendation and liked the presentation of the site. It’s important asIndie artists to see there are websites and companies out there looking out for us!
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Wordsmith: I was born in Germany when my pops was stationed over there with the Army. I grew up moving from place to place gaining culture while having a unique perspective on the world at a young age; notto mention I have duel citizenship. The only constant besides my family was music; especially HipHop. I loved the genre so much I use to save my lunch money just to buy two tapes each week; I still have a mint condition collection at home. I started toying with music at age 13 and by 26 I was doing it serious to the point I was looking for ways to make it a career. For the past 7 years I’ve been licensing music to major companies like NBC, Fox, ESPN, Nintendo WII and more. I started averaging 10 to 15 shows a year while gaining distribution through Ingrooves/Fontana. My deep love for creating music, songwriting and the culture of HipHop led me to what I feel is my purpose for being on this earth; spreading my message of positivity and being a productive member of society!
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Wordsmith: I wish I could give a magical answer as to how I came up with my name but I actually stumbled upon it . I remember writing a verse one day and the word blacksmith came to my mind. As I started to write the word stuck out to me more as I thought about how a blacksmith crafted metal and instruments. I did that as well, just with words and it hit me….Wordsmith.Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Wordsmith: I released 7 mixtapes and a bunch other free tracks over my career so I believe in giving away free music to build your audience. Give new fans an appetizer in preparation for the main course.Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Wordsmith: Sure, I would start with knowing the business before you get to gigs and Airplay. Understand how you can make money in this business while researching how much of a budget you will need to acquire for Radio, Videos, PR, Tour Support and more. It’s important to know what pro societies are, what are performances royalties as oppose to mechanical royalties, when is a good time to get merch and more. You really have to do your homework and find the good people in this business. While working on all that try to get yourself opening slots for bigger artists, take shows where you can sell tickets to family/friends and make a percentage off that. Radio wise I would hit college radio to start because they don’t always have a set playlist like commercials radio.Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Wordsmith: It’s rare but I have; just not big ones haaaa. I just keep it moving, remain focused and proceed to give a better show in light of the mistake. The challenge is what you do after the mistake…Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Wordsmith: I’ll be heading out on my first tour in April with Armed Forces Entertainment for 20 days in southwest Asia and Africa. I’m the first HipHop act whether sighed or unsigned they have been comfortable sending on one of their tours so it’s an honor. This tour came on the heels of doing a search to put together a LIVE band not even a full year ago. If your going to tour do it right so big shout to my bandmates Becky, Latera, James, Pep, Chris and our road manager Dan the Man for believing in my message.Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Wordsmith: Ill usually listen to production when I’m driving in my car and start formulating ideas in my mind. Whether in my home studio or the car I’ll recite the hook, a bridge and finally the verses in my head until I feel the song is decently ready to be recorded. I say that because when I start recording other ideas normally come to my MInd. Sometimes my mood or getting a good mental zone plays a part on the type of song ill create.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Wordsmith: Yup please hit www.wordsmithmusic.com, Facebook.com/Wordsmith, Twitter.com/Wordsmith and YouTube.com/Wordsmith
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?Wordsmith: Haaaaa I would say none. Only music on my iPhone is my favorite band Coldplay and some of my music.Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Wordsmith: I would use the money to do a major radio, video, pr and tour campaign for my next project.Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Wordsmith: I upgraded to a portable Zoom R24. I’ve been using zoom products since I started as I never been a pro tools type of guy.Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Wordsmith: Definitely by doing shows, social media, giveaways, newsletters, E-blasts, free music and word of mouth!Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Wordsmith: I would perform in Amsterdam with Coldplay and Redman; haaaa suck a weird mix!Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Wordsmith: On March 2nd my next studio EP, Apt. 507, will be available for pre-order. On March 17th it will be officially released.Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Wordsmith: Being the program manager of some tech company.Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Wordsmith: My parents actually bought me my first two albums which were Run DMC “Tougher then Leather” and The Fat Boys are back. I was thinking damn I got some cool parents.Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Wordsmith: Easy I don’t get too low when there are pitfalls and remain humble through success.Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?
Wordsmith: Progress, Success and spreading my message of purpose.Radio Playand other promotions for Word Smith that includes 92.7 FM in Canada and Kiss 104.7 FM in AL and GARapnetwork Record Breakers Top 40 – 1/12/15
Top 40-1, Central Intelligence, All Day, New West Music
2, Shuko f. Talib Kweli & Leslie Clio, Heatwave, Peripherique Records
3, Masstapeace f. Renzo, God’s Calling, Masstapeace Records
4, theFWD, Miracles, Polar Entertainment
5, Cazal Organism f. K-Natural & Dezi Page, Bubbles (So High), Delicious Vinyl
6, B. Wash, I’m Back, Tyme Records
7, Sean Strange, Independence Day, Nah Bro Ent.8, L!Z f. Rayven Justice, Love My Chick, Tyme Records
9, Ghostface Killah, Love Don’t Live Here No More, Salvation Music/Tommy Boy
10, DJ JS-1 f. Murs & FaShawn, Whatever it Takes, Ground Original Records
11, The 17th f. Joell Ortiz &vHollaAtcha Gwalla, Don’t Care, Loyalty Digital Corp
12, Ape The Grim f. Kool Keith, Stetson Hats, Trapjaw Affiliates
13, M-Deuce f.Young Twinn, Heartbreak Season, Loony Prod.14, Marc 7, Sasquatch, Marc7Music
15, Fantasma, Eye Of The Sun, Soundway16, Kenn Starr, The Movement II, Mello Music Group
17, Rock Mecca, Tunnel Visions, Rebel Vein Entertainment
18, Von Pea & The Other Guys, Chasing Amy Aka In My Heart, Hipnott Records
19, MC Lyte f. Lil Mama & AV, Ball, Sunni Gyrl, Inc.
20, Ian Kamau f. Georgia Anne Muldrow, Heading Home, Forseen
21, Chinx f. Bobby Shmurda & Rowdy Rebel, Bodies, Coke Boys
22, The L.A.C. (The Los Angeles Classics), The Anthem, U.B.O.K.
23, Get Open, Get Open, Overtime Records
24, Timmy Brabston f. Chinx, Only Thing Poppin’, Est 1999
25, Diamond District, Working Weekends (Large Professor Remix), Mello Music Group
26, Young Fathers, Soon Come Soon, Big Dada
27, M.O.P. f. Busta Rhymes, Broad Daylight (187 Part 2), Nature Sounds
28, J57 f. Action Bronson, Meyhem Lauren, Maffew Ragazino & Rasheed Chappell, Main Event (J57 Remix), Soulspazm Records
29, The Org, Backbone, Gods Will
30, Kuniva, Derty Headz, McKindley/Federation Records
31, Kritta, Long Days Long Nights, KMI
32, The 1978ers (yU & Slimkat), U Know How It Iz, Mello Music Group
33, Joe Galaxy f. Pitbull, Renegade Foxx & Micheaa, Walk It Sun, Star Records/Who Got Next Promotions
34, Prof, Farout, Rhymesayers
35, uMaNg, Correct Techniques, Ill Adrenaline Records
36, Termanology f. H Blanco, Inspectah Deck & Chris Rivers, The War Begins, ST./Brick Records
37, Suspens, Paid, Suspens Recordings
38, WeRdoZe, Fire & Water, Righteous M.O.B. Ent., Inc.
39, Fetty Wap, Trap Queen, RGF Productions
40, Wiley, On A Level, Big Dada
ADDS-
1, DJ Rob A f. Masta Ace, Put To Paper, Rugged Soul Records2, Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Souls Of Mischief, There is Only Now (Remixed), Linear Labs3, Audible Doctor f. Astro & Hassaan Mackey, Chocolate Covered Liar, AMD Music4, Wordsmith, I Got A Promotion, NU Revolution Entertainment LLC
Rapnetwork Record Breakers
check it out at- http://recordbreakerschart.wordpress.com
92.7 FM Lineup (Canada)
Also, spun on 1/13/2015 on My K97.9 Radio (Arizona)
Also played on PhonexFM! (London)
Phoenix FM is a licensed community radio station that broadcasts on FM in Essex (just outside London) and worldwide on the internet. Hitting 35,000 FM /12,000 online listeners monthly and have our website viewed around 6,500 times per day. See phoenixfm.com for more details.
