Who’s Smiling Now?

Introducing Smiler
Written by Luca Massaro

With 2010 starting off the back of the most successful year for UK music, the optimism for an even stronger year has been at the forefront of everyone’s minds and tweets!

While the Grime scene has brought obvious success to the likes of Dizzee Rascal, Wiley, Tinchy Stryder and Chipmunk over recent years, the Hip Hop scene is also beginning an emergence of Nu Skool UK Hip Hop Rappers.

UK Rapper from South London, Giggs (not the hairy Welsh footballer) is appearing to lead the way with his forthcoming album ‘Let Em Ave It’ dropping mid June and his current single ‘Look What The Cat Dragged In’ has achieved the hot prospect of Radio 1 play listing is definitely dragging in more than just mice.

Click here to listen to the Giggs Takeover on MistaJam’s show this past week.

But, other than Giggs, (who is really pushing boundaries and testing our ears to a new sound of Hip Hop) is there anyone else that is creating waves that we can be excited about in 2010?

My answer is 100% yes. If you have not yet noticed the buzz around this young chap, take a breath and prepare for another South London Rapper by the name of Smiler.

Smiler Says “I’m trying to bring people back to the lyrics, the beats and real talent… Now it’s Hip Hop’s time and I’m bringing the sound back to the fans.”

So having done a short background check, Smiler has been around for while having dropped a track called ‘Craziest’ in 2008 and has had tracks such as Neighbourhood spinning on 1Xtra prior to that also.

Now in 2010, Smiler has arisen back from the Underground ready to come harder (pause) than ever before.

In January of this year, Smiler put out his eagerly anticipated ‘Clarity’ EP which is available for free download from his website. The EP features 14 tracks and one of which is the track that is causing all the commotion across the UK right about now!

The track, entitled ‘ENZA’ (which is an inclusive word meaning ‘that vibe’ or ‘X-Factor’ feeling), has been BBC 1Xtra play listed and the video (above) is also real nice; where you (on the low-low) get to see a selection of bikini babes in a swimming pool.

So now being May, where does this put Smiler right now?

Well having now climbed into the public eye and having got himself noticed, I think it is evident that the UK has a genuine rising star on its hands.

In today’s digital culture, where every artist now has the platform to really build for him or herself, the levels to become top of the pops are a lot higher than ever before; and with every top draw act you have to kind of put them to a simple questions test and see how many boxes they tick.

-       Do they have real talent and are they determined to succeed?

-       Do they have the foundations laid within their team and in their plan?

-       Are they a marketable brand for a Record Label to invest into?

-       Do they have a story or a message?

While Giggs, created an Internet phenomenon with a viral plague around his track ‘Talking the Hardest’, some may say that he ticks all the boxes and will take UK Hip Hop to a new height.

As for Smiler, well his track ENZA is doing the business on radio and soon to be on your television boxes. He is bringing new and exciting music regularly. (Check out his version of Nas & Damien Marley’s – As We Enter on DJ Semtex’s blog here).

He is most definitely talented with a flow, delivery and lyrical armoury to cause some serious damage. Moreover, Smiler is current, active and marketable. His message, while controversial in areas is also direct, positive and advocates Hip Hop culture.

So I asked Smiler what is standing in his way of becoming an international star.

His answer was simple. “Only myself†he stated.

Smiler’s single ENZA is set for release this summer and you can download Clarity for free from www.smilermusic.com

Posted by Luca at 11:31 pm on May 12th, 2010

Categories: Music, New Music.
2 Comments »

2 Responses to “Who’s Smiling Now?”

  1. Guest Posting: Who's Smiling Now?, on May 14th, 2010 at 5:17 pm Said:

    [...] introduction article entitled ‘Who’s Smiling Now’ identifies the emergence of a new Hip Hop artist named Smiler who as you should know i am working [...]

  2. What Is Hip Hop To You? | MistaJam, on May 24th, 2010 at 2:23 pm Said:

    [...] the UK Hip Hop scene is finally emerging from the underground into the commercial scene, i was recently asked by a mate as part of his dissertation research the question, “What Is Hip [...]

Leave a Reply

« »

Copyright © 2010 MistaJam | Web Design by PixelCreation.co.uk