Smokii Smalls Pays Tribute To His ‘Mamma’

Eddie known by the artist name Smokki Smalls has been making music for a little over a year now. Recently on the third anniversary of his mother he has released a new song “Mamma”. We had a conversation with him on his new release as well as on his life, music and future plans.

Twist Online : First of all tell please introduce yourself to our readers.
Smokii Smalls : Hi my name is Eddie but most of my friends call me Smokii. I’ve been making music for a little over a year now. I started my musical journey back in 6th grade playing the trumpet. I stopped playing that right before 9th grade, and tried sports instead. My brother got me back into music when he showed me how to make beats, and man was that awesome! Now for the past year I have focused on beat making and along the way I started rapping mainly for fun.

Twist Online : Who or what inspired you as an artist growing up?
Smokii Smalls : My musical inspirations would definitely be Bob Marley, Nas, J. Cole, Eminem, Beatles, and Felly. I grew up listening to most of them my whole life, besides Felly. Found him almost 2 yrs ago and he is just a really inspiring person.

Twist Online : You recently released a song ‘Mamma’, tell us about that.
Smokii Smalls : Well I lost my Mom 6 days before Bct for the Army in 2013. On the 6th was her funeral, and last month I decided to write a song for her and drop it on her funeral date this year. I was telling Sutshi about the idea and was asking for advice when we decided to make it a joint track and honor both our Moms. We put alot of effort in to this, so when he told me his Mom cried over the song it made me feel so good knowing if his Mom cried then My Mamma would have too. We did think something was missing in the song so we went sample hunting and found the Sax that plays in the end right inside of my Daw. The night before we posted it my Dad said we still had my Moms voicemail, so never hearing it before I called it and decide it would be perfect for the end!
https://soundcloud.com/smokii_smalls/mamma
Twist Online :You released song in the memory of your mother that’s surely a good gesture. When did you start working on the song?
Smokii Smalls : About a month ago. If I had to put a date it was probably August 3rd or 4th. I actually stopped working on my new beattape to focus everything on the song.

Twist Online : Playing trumpet, piano and cajon, it seems you know music instruments quite well ?
Smokii Smalls : I wouldn’t say that haha. I only started playing the drums and piano this last 8 or 9 months but every instrument has taught me the differnt vibes or emotions that each can create. I learn theory alot when I have time to, and recently I’ve learned that theory helps but I learn alot more musically when I’m just in my zone playing around with the sound. Typically if I like the way it sounds Ill keep it.

Twist Online : Is there any particular music genre that’s your favorite?
Smokii Smalls : Hip hop. I just love the different vibes throughout the genre. I know alot of people are tired of Hip Hop but they just haven’t dug through all the crates yet. There is so much raw talent in hip hop and such a variety of Artists in the genre that if you want to find a Hip Hop Artist with a Beatles vibe or something, you easily can you just have to look.

Twist Online : Apart from music what are your other activites?
Smokii Smalls : Well I work part time as a server at a restaurant so I kinda drink alot. Most of the time you can find me on a thursday vibin with the crew at Mavericks, and typically any other day Im at the studio smoking and chilling with friends or out at a dive bar with my Dad. Hey Shouts to my Dad for everything he has done for me! He is my whole support system.!

Twist Online : What are your future goals as a music artist?
Smokii Smalls : Honestly I just want Jacksonville to be more of a music spot on the map. I also want to start doing shows soon, but my bigest goal is to show my daughter that any dream is achievable if you try.