Today we’d like to introduce you to Nando Smoove.
Nando, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I hail from Brooklyn, NY. I moved to Atlanta in 2007. My first introduction to music was dance; Yep, I traveled around the five boroughs either performing with my hip hop class from my community center (Winthrop Beacon III) or impersonating Michael Jackson. I performed at many events, such as birthday parties, sweet sixteens, cookouts, formal gatherings, fashion shows, and talent shows. I came in 2nd place at the state talent show in New York impersonating Michael Jackson. I turned over to rapping in 2014, where I made my first mixtape “FlatKush Ave”. I started performing in 2015 all around Atlanta at well-known spots such as Apache Cafe, Bonfire ATL, Level Up, (now is Takeoff ATL), IAMMUSIC, (which is now Limited ENT), etc. I was at that for two years and then I transitioned to working at Bonfire ATL as the Bonfire ATL Pop Up Shop curator and manager for a year. I also hosted the event from time to time. I style, arrange and organize my own outfits; and other peoples’ for photo shoots, video shoots, shows, modeling, etc…. Right now, I’m working on an album that I’m really excited about. It’s my first “official” album.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I make hip hop music. Old School, boom bap music, that’s r&b and jazz-based; maybe a little bit of blues, but a lot of hip hop. Because of this style of music, it’s influenced how I dress, what I watch, my speech and how I relate to an audience. I embody everything that I rap about because I’m sharing experiences that I’ve had and that I’m having. Every day I’m learning and experiencing something new; so once I match that with a beat or melody, the words just flow. The challenge is making it all connect. All I want to do is make music that people can relate to; and if they’re experiencing the same thing I’m experiencing, then maybe they’ll learn something about their situation and/or they can teach me something I didn’t know. Hip Hop is all about stories, and I just want to share stories that can be passed down to generations.
In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
Realizing that making music is an art but also a business and that we have to own our business if we want to truly succeed and provide platforms for other people to do the same.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
All streaming platforms. Every single one ever.
Contact Info:
- Email: therealnandosmoove@gmail.com
- Instagram: smoover.than.velour
- Twitter: nandosmoove
Image Credit:
Nando Smoove
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