On the Rise: Big Smitty

By The Rap Scout
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

A member of the Coughee Brothaz, Big Smitty has been in the game for a long time. But, for the most part he has shared the spotlight. In a few months, all of this will change. Currently, Big Smitty is in New York, working on his official debut album, Private Jets and Presidential Suites. Big Smitty has been around some of the biggest names and he is determined to make himself one of the biggest names, too.

For years, Big Smitty has played the game from the background. However, now Big Smitty is ready to have his time in the spotlight. Influenced by the likes of Pimp C and others, he talked with Hip Hop Vibe about several of his projects and his own legacy in the game. Soon enough, people will know exactly who Big Smitty is.

Read the entire interview below:

The name of your album is Private Jets and Presidential Suites, where did you get the title from?
That's original, I came up with that. Over the years, many rappers have had the chance to live that life. Since day one, that is how I've been rolling. I've been on customized buses and everything. Even with the hip hop game going down, my status has been going up. This is how I live. When I go to the hotel and get on the elevator, I don't want to go to one of the floors, I want to hit the 'PS' button.

Is that the mentality you have, as you prepare your official debut album?
That's my mentality man. I want to give them the best music, no disrespect to the others saying they are the best. Right now, I am giving them my best, so I deserve the best, that's my mentality.

How many years have you been around in the game?
Twenty years that I've been around in the game. Due to a few bad decisions, I was out of the game, but this year makes it twenty years. I came up with the guys who were emerging in the 1990s. Right now, I got a big project with Rappin' 4 Tay. For those who don't know, I came up with Scarface of the Geto Boyz, we don't get old, we get better.

When was your music first released to the masses?
First released to the masses... I'd have to say my first big shot was with the Face Mob. I was on the Geto Boyz Resurrection album. I have been on several big projects, but they did not show my overall talents. I have been on too many albums to count. My first big break came in 1995 with my appearances on albums by the Face Mob and the Geto Boyz.

How long have you been rapping?
Since we first got rap from New York. When I first heard Sugar Hill, Kurtis Blow, Run DMC. Growing up with Scarface, I was always around rap. But, growing up my focus was on basketball back then. But, in the early 1990s, I began taking rap seriously and I learned I could make a living off rapping. Looking at Scarface become one of the top three rappers in the game inspired me to step my game up.

When was it when you became involved with the Coughee Brothaz?
That was 2008, when I was released from prison. I met with Devin and the rest is history. I got into the studio and I linked up with the Coughee Brothaz. Before I went to prison, we discussed the idea of creating the Coughee Brothaz. I was always associated with the Odd Squad, but we did not officially create our group, the Coughee Brothaz until then.

Explain your relationship with Pimp C.
I'm going slow with this. I was good friends with Big Mike, he was a Geto Boy, and his Something Serious album had just went gold. I had heard about Pimp and Bun, as UGK, they were signed to Big Time. Through my man, Big Mike, I met Bun B first and me and Bun became friends. Mike invited UGK over to my house and we hit it off. We had a good time and we became good friends, real recognized real. It was unbelievable how real they were, despite their legendary status, Pimp C and Bun B are very talented. Bun is my guy.

Pimp C shouted me out on his song, "I Left it Wet For You." I had just met Pimp C the day before and when he shouted you out, he fooled with you. On the song, you will hear him say 'What's up Smit,' referring to me.

Talk about his legacy in the hip hop game.
I think he died too early, that's my opinion. His legacy was already stamped on the game. Everything he ever set out to accomplish, he did. God would not have taken him if he had not reached his pinnacle. He was so influential on the young artists and kids, so he will continue to live on. Pimp C always spoke his mind, even if it hurt feelings, if it was the right thing to say. He always said what was on his heart and on his mind, that is his legacy.

I put Pimp up there with Tupac and artists of that nature. Tupac spoke on politics and fuckery and Pimp did too. He was the Southern version of Tupac and he always spoke his mind. He recorded enough music for everyone to hold on to a piece of his legacy.

How closely affiliated are you with UGK?
That's my family man, like I said. Bun, DJ Bird, they will always be my family, brothers. No matter what we went through, we will always be close. Through life, you understand what people are really about. All the dues we paid, I can't be anything besides proud of UGK, because I was right there with them. We have plenty of underground songs, many people have never heard before. I was a member of the Original Righteous Gangsters. We rolled like soldiers to get where we are at today. I am nowhere near where Bun is in the game, but we have the same drive. Bun B always shows me love, he is a dear friend to me. I have not had the chance to see DJ Bird, but Bun B is a dear friend to me.

What type of legacy do you intend to leave on the hip hop game?
I'll say this, my upbringing at home, my parents taught me about education. They told me that is the one thing that cannot be taken away from me. Music is the platform for bigger things for me in my career. I want to leave the legacy of an overcomer. Any artist, male or female, will know as long as they do not give up and they keep their mind and soul in the right place, they can achieve it. Look at me, it's a wonder I'm still alive, let alone doing shows with the Coughee Brothaz and doing my thing. It's a wonder I'm still here, let alone in the game, so that is the legacy I want to leave, never give up! I won't stop until all my people are household names.