Smash

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About Smash: "I knew I was put on earth to make music. When I dropped my first CD, my goal was to get everyone in my neighborhood to get on it. When they did, I was alright.” Blessed with this clarity of vision, an unforgettable voice, and undeniable songwriting and MC skills, Baltimore’s Smash (A.K.A. T-Mac) is poised to become one of music’s most compelling new artists. Late 2008 found Smash on the top of the radio charts at Radio One’s 92.3 WERQ FM, with his song “A Bit Too Much for Me” garnering close to 500 spins . The song, which ended up as the most requested song by a Baltimore artist ever on the station, almost didn’t see the light of day. “I could hear the melody,” Smash says. “But I wasn’t sure if I should release it.” (The song’s hook also spawned the popular catchphrase “on my best bulls**t.”) “A Bit Too Much for Me” made quite a bit of noise outside Baltimore, as well, receiving a more than respectable number of spins in other major markets. DC’s WPGC and WKYS and Greenville, NC’s WIKS FM stations showed early and consistent support of the single.

“I Am King”, released in March 2009, is Smash’s tenth release. Declaring himself king is a bold statement, but one which he stands firmly behind. “My consistency - that’s what makes me a king - making good music constantly.” Performances with such artists as Lil’ Wayne, Slim Thug, Bun B, Three 6 Mafia, Mike Jones, and Bobby Valentino have given Smash broader recognition and popularity, as well as sharpened his stage skills. Smash has also been part of a 2009 high school tour with Atlantic Recording artist Young Steff, performing to enthusiastic teenage crowds.

Rhyming since middle school, Smash knew early on that a career in music was the life for him. After spending two and a half years in New York, Smash returned to his hometown to make his name there. Although the time in New York was beneficial because of the time it allowed him to focus on his craft, the time there was a rough one. “When I was in NY, I wasn’t really in the best situation,” he recalls. “I had no friends, no females… People were just looking at me like I’m a dollar sign. That was keeping motivation for me, but when they didn’t see things happening quickly enough, it was back to square one.” Square one in this case was a return to his hometown of Baltimore, where the dark sound that the city often inspires continued to dominate his sound. Back in Baltimore, Smash was embraced by area drug dealers, whose acceptance of his music led to greater popularity in the city. “We started a movement called ABM (All ‘Bout Music). I had like 50-60 d-boys behind me, supporting what I was doing.” While the “drug boys” champio ned Smash’s sound, he was never directly caught up in that life. “I always believed in being yourself in life will get you somewhere. I’ve always been myself and I’ve always been respected for that.”

Smash passed away in February of 2013 due to congestive heart failure. He will be dearly missed by Baltimore and the whole DMV.