Sound Lava ❧ 
My name is “Smokii” I was born in Paris and I’m currently living in Canada, Quebec right now. I released a new mixtape call “Still Dreamin’ Big” available only on Soundcloud and a new single “When I pop” available on all streaming platforms.
Q: What got you into music and made you realize that it was your chosen path?
A: Well I always loved music since a kid I had this special feeling when I was hearing sound it always made me feel something different then everything else I used to do but I remember buying one of my first album from Justin Timberlake “Justified” and I was listening to it on the way to go to my family’s house with my mom, the songs really hit me hard like the productions of Timbaland and Pharrell mixed with Justin’s voice was so good I was like damn how they’re doing that and it brings me a lot of joy cause you know I’m born as a only child so I didn’t had no brother or sister to play with or anything like that so I always had my walkman and my music with me it was the moment I know I could fly high from all of this and enjoying my time.
Even when I was with my family I used to play percussion and putting songs on the speaker and start dancing and bringing the vibes it was really special.So after growing up when I was 15 I went to Canada in Montreal and I discovered more about the rap music trough my cousin,he used to bring all the dope new bangers and I was listening to it like damn that’s dope too cause back in the days I used to listen lot of rock, metal and I was skating too so I was discovering a new universe.
Then I started making some freestyle just for fun and one day I was with some friends we were chilling night time at the park and I spit my first freestyle in front of them and at some point of my freestyle I switch my flow and I said something like “ring ring who’s on the phone” and the homies start to yellliinngg like crazyyyy and I was like damnn something’s happening.
Then from that day I continued rapping but not seriously just for fun,it’s only at 25 or 24 that I realized that it was my chosen path cause I was working at a place and I didn’t felt happy doing it so something wrong happened that day and in my head I was like you know what quit that job and go do what you truly love so I quitted my job and went buying a mac, microphone, some speakers and headphones then I started to recording myself for 365 days and I made like 600 demos or something like that like I was working like a machine,i used to make 3 or 4 demo and freestyle or songs a day it was crazy at that time and I really felt happy and it made me realize that I can only be happy by doing what I truly love daily.
And also the day that I saw ASAP Rocky and Asap Mob the day of my birthday the 12 June 2012 we came early with the homie we were the first one to be in front of the place for the show and when I saw him performing I saw myself on that stage and I said to myself one day it will be me.
So big shout out to them.
Q: Tell us about your new music (Song/EP/Mixtape/Album)? And what’s the story behind it?
A: So right now I’ve released 8 mixtapes since 2020 and the last project that I dropped is “When I pop” it’s the third single of my new album coming this summer and a new mixtape called “Still Dreamin’ Big” there’s 14 songs some of the songs were recorded this year and some others were recorded back when I started to record myself.
Q: What makes your music unique? How would you describe it? (genres/sub-genres)
A: What makes my music unique is that I’m true to it and I’m always doing something different.
I also write my verse by myself,i produce my own beats, I also mixed a lot of my records so I think that what makes my music different is that it’s authentic and it’s really from me and my own inspirations and own creativity.
For the genre of rap I will say that it’s mix of some past dope conscience rappers and futuristic innovators untouchable bar killers.
For the genre of music to be honest I couldn’t say cause I think it’s a mix of every type of style so I can’t put myself in a box.
Q: Who are your biggest music influences? And any particular artist/band you would like to collaborate with in the future?
A: Biggie, Nas, Snoop, 2pac, Jay z, Dre, Nate Dogg, Royce da 59, Lupe Fiasco, Three six Mafia, Eminem, Ye, French Montana, Max b, Chinx, Nipsey hussle, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, The Game, ASAP ROCKY, Asap Mob, TDE, Big Pun, Styles P, Currency, Freddie Gibbs, Big KRIT, Denzel Cuzzy, RAIDER KLAN, Spaceghostpurrp (by the way the first beat that I bought was from spaceghostpurrp shout out to him) POUYA, K DOT, Mac Miller, Kurupt, Mc EIght, Eazy E there is so many the list goes on and on and on.
But my biggest music influence to me is Kanye West aka Ye AND I really want to collaborate with him in the future Insha’Allah.
Q: How long have you been in the music industry?
A: 5 years.
Q: Which is the best moment in your musical career that you’re most proud of? (awards, projects or public performances etc.
A: The day Jadakiss and Fat Joe sent me messages and said that they like my music , it was a true special moment I was screaming like crazzzyyy the whole neighborhood heard me I really felt bless this day so special big shout out to Jadakiss and Fat Joe.
It was one of the biggest moment that I had in my music career and I am really proud of it.
Q: How do you balance your music with other obligations – family, friends or work?
A: To be honest it’s a little bit complicated cause when you start to create and you make music if you want to reach a certain level you really have to be focus and spend all the time you have on it so at the beginning I was always at home making music or spitting some freestyle with some friends like all the time now I learned how to balance my music and my other obligations cause I reached that certain level but I know nothing is granted so you always have to put the effort so what I do I usually work on it when I wake up if I feel like it or/and before I sleep I spend maybe 3 or 4 hours sometimes more on it.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
A: start small finish big,believe and listen to yourself, be humble, chase happiness, don’t judge people, bring unity and peace, be an example for yourself, love the people, see big, have faith in the lord.
Q: If you had one message to give to your fans, what would it be?
A: Don’t look back keep looking up.
Q: What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects?
A: I have a lot of projects now I’m enjoying life peace. Smokii
Follow “Smokii” on Soundcloud, Youtube, Instagram and Distrokid.
