SXSW Pop: Can you share a fun or quirky ritual you have before recording or performing?
Smartzee: Before I hit the booth, I always take my shoes off. There’s something about feeling the ground beneath me. It keeps me grounded, literally and mentally. It helps me stay connected to the moment.
Smartzee: Before I hit the booth, I always take my shoes off. There’s something about feeling the ground beneath me. It keeps me grounded, literally and mentally. It helps me stay connected to the moment.
SXSW Pop: How do you balance your personal life with the demands of being an artist?
Smartzee: For me, doing just one thing isn’t an option, I thrive when I have multiple things going on. I used to mix everything together, which made things chaotic at times, but I’ve learned to add more structure. Now, I map out my week and days based on my goals and deadlines, while leaving room for flexibility to handle anything urgent. Balance is key, and having a system helps me keep both my personal life and my artistry in sync.
Smartzee: For me, doing just one thing isn’t an option, I thrive when I have multiple things going on. I used to mix everything together, which made things chaotic at times, but I’ve learned to add more structure. Now, I map out my week and days based on my goals and deadlines, while leaving room for flexibility to handle anything urgent. Balance is key, and having a system helps me keep both my personal life and my artistry in sync.
SXSW Pop: What’s the best advice you've received from someone in the music industry?
Smartzee: The best advice I’ve ever received? “You might come into the industry for the love of music, but remember—it’s a business. Stay focused, and don’t get caught up in the fairytales.” That wisdom has kept me grounded, helping me navigate the highs and lows without losing sight of why I do this.
Smartzee: The best advice I’ve ever received? “You might come into the industry for the love of music, but remember—it’s a business. Stay focused, and don’t get caught up in the fairytales.” That wisdom has kept me grounded, helping me navigate the highs and lows without losing sight of why I do this.
SXSW Pop: Can you describe the feeling you get when you perform in front of an audience?
Smartzee: The moment I step on stage, adrenaline kicks in. I lock into the moment, connect with myself, and just focus on having fun. And that energy? It transfers directly to the crowd. It’s an exchange, a cycle of energy that builds as the show goes on. That rush, that shared moment with the audience, is electrifying. There’s nothing quite like it.
Smartzee: The moment I step on stage, adrenaline kicks in. I lock into the moment, connect with myself, and just focus on having fun. And that energy? It transfers directly to the crowd. It’s an exchange, a cycle of energy that builds as the show goes on. That rush, that shared moment with the audience, is electrifying. There’s nothing quite like it.
SXSW Pop: How do you feel about using social media as a tool to connect with fans?
Smartzee: I’ll be real, I’m not great at it. I’m a private person by nature, but at the same time, I have so much to share. I’m slowly pushing myself to build a stronger presence online and engage more because I know how important that connection is. It’s a work in progress.
Smartzee: I’ll be real, I’m not great at it. I’m a private person by nature, but at the same time, I have so much to share. I’m slowly pushing myself to build a stronger presence online and engage more because I know how important that connection is. It’s a work in progress.
SXSW Pop: What’s one genre you’d like to experiment with, but haven’t yet?
Smartzee: Definitely acoustic music. I love live instruments. I have a close friend who plays guitar, and whenever we jam, it’s pure energy, his voice, his playing, the connection. We can go for hours. I’d love to explore that more in my music.
Smartzee: Definitely acoustic music. I love live instruments. I have a close friend who plays guitar, and whenever we jam, it’s pure energy, his voice, his playing, the connection. We can go for hours. I’d love to explore that more in my music.
SXSW Pop: How has your hometown or upbringing influenced your sound or style?
Smartzee: I was born in Cotonou, Benin, but I spent a big part of my youth in the suburbs of Paris. I always say the streets made me. It was a tough environment, but it shaped me in ways that go beyond music—it built my resilience, my ability to think on my feet, to adapt, to find solutions. Those skills translate into everything I do, whether in music or life in general. That upbringing is in my DNA, it’s in my sound, my lyrics, my perspective.
Smartzee: I was born in Cotonou, Benin, but I spent a big part of my youth in the suburbs of Paris. I always say the streets made me. It was a tough environment, but it shaped me in ways that go beyond music—it built my resilience, my ability to think on my feet, to adapt, to find solutions. Those skills translate into everything I do, whether in music or life in general. That upbringing is in my DNA, it’s in my sound, my lyrics, my perspective.
SXSW Pop: Can you walk us through the story behind your latest single 'Back Down'?
Smartzee: Back Down is a reflection of my journey—growing up in a tough environment and later navigating the corporate world. Both spaces demand resilience, strategy, and the ability to rise against the odds. In the song, I use the imagery of a competitor, like a basketball player standing tall despite the challenges. It’s part personal, part universal—it’s about self-motivation, pushing forward, and refusing to let anything hold you back. It’s a message for anyone who needs that extra push to keep going.
Smartzee: Back Down is a reflection of my journey—growing up in a tough environment and later navigating the corporate world. Both spaces demand resilience, strategy, and the ability to rise against the odds. In the song, I use the imagery of a competitor, like a basketball player standing tall despite the challenges. It’s part personal, part universal—it’s about self-motivation, pushing forward, and refusing to let anything hold you back. It’s a message for anyone who needs that extra push to keep going.
SXSW Pop: What’s the most memorable performance or show you’ve done so far?
Smartzee: Years ago, I got a call from Jean-Roch, who is a DJ, a famous club owner, and legend in his own right. He invited me to join him on stage to open for Madonna during her Confessions Tour in Paris. Just me, alone on stage, in front of thousands. The crowd wasn’t expecting me, and at first, the energy was intense. But as the show went on, I found my rhythm, started dancing, moving, vibing...and suddenly, the energy shifted. The crowd started responding, cheering, track after track. By the end, we left the stage exhausted, relieved, and on a high from the experience. That moment was unforgettable.
Smartzee: Years ago, I got a call from Jean-Roch, who is a DJ, a famous club owner, and legend in his own right. He invited me to join him on stage to open for Madonna during her Confessions Tour in Paris. Just me, alone on stage, in front of thousands. The crowd wasn’t expecting me, and at first, the energy was intense. But as the show went on, I found my rhythm, started dancing, moving, vibing...and suddenly, the energy shifted. The crowd started responding, cheering, track after track. By the end, we left the stage exhausted, relieved, and on a high from the experience. That moment was unforgettable.
SXSW Pop: Where do you see yourself and your music evolving in the next 5 years?
Smartzee: As life evolves, so does my music. I want to continue telling my story and sharing experiences—mine and those around me. Music is about connection, and if my words can inspire or motivate someone, that’s everything. I also want to amplify the good vibes, the energy, and the power of hip-hop as a culture. Hip-hop is one of the most expressive and communicative art forms, and I’ll keep pushing my artistry to contribute to it in the most authentic way possible.
Smartzee: As life evolves, so does my music. I want to continue telling my story and sharing experiences—mine and those around me. Music is about connection, and if my words can inspire or motivate someone, that’s everything. I also want to amplify the good vibes, the energy, and the power of hip-hop as a culture. Hip-hop is one of the most expressive and communicative art forms, and I’ll keep pushing my artistry to contribute to it in the most authentic way possible.
.png)
