Introducing Wordsmith & The Big Band Theory

Wordsmith is a music artist who uses his creativity to spread positive and conscious messages.

About Wordsmith

Wordsmith says as a Hip-Hop artist and songwriter, he has outgrown and overcome the negative stereotypes of the Urban music genres.

Through perseverance, he has earned his chances and performed shows for grade schools and colleges, clubs and bars, venues and theaters, even conferences and festivals. His music is free of profanity, full of message driven content and his dramatic style is embraced by Rock, Pop, Alternative, even Jazz music audiences.

The Big Band Theory

Wordsmith’s cross-genre appeal and growing fame demanded a professional presentation for a widely diverse audience.

He’s adding that diversity to his performances by having a live band with him entitled The Big Band Theory. Wordsmith says The Big Band Theory was created to enhance his live performances and garner bigger, better gigs.

“The Big Band Theory was created in order to capture greater performance opportunities for the artist on the rise.”

The band was Wordsmith’s idea and he made it happen by bringing together the creative collective Pep, James, Chris, Latera and Becky.

The emcee states he’s an indie artist that is in full control of his music career. As most artists, the Baltimore native looks to represent his city on national and international stages with his Conscious-Commercial Hip-Hop and theatrical stage shows.

His list of accomplishments reads like a major label artist, and his commitment to the business and the art has allowed his own record label NU Revo to remain independent.

Wordsmith has toured throughout his career with stops in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Las Vegas, Boston, Baltimore, Washington DC, Charlotte, Indianapolis, San Jose, Harrisburg, and overseas in London, England.

He has both lectured and performed at various music conferences around the country sharing his great music and professional experience with other indie artists; conferences include SXSW, A3C, Mid Atlantic Music, Millennium Music, Launch and more.

Wordsmith also visits grade schools to perform for students and promote Anti-bullying messages.

Wordsmith has several albums released to his credit that are available for purchase on ITunes, Amazon.com and other stores where digital music is sold. His current EP, “Apt. 507”, is available for purchase. Wordsmith previous albums, The Blue Collar Recital, King Noah and Vintage Experience can be found on his Pandora radio station.

Interview

Check out the interview below to get a feel on who Wordsmith is and some music to follow.

UV: When did you fall in love with music?
Wordsmith: I would have to say when I fell in love with music around the age of 10. My parents bought me RUN DMC’s “Tougher than Leather” and “The Fat Boys are Back”; needless to say I was hooked after that. I began recording YO MTV Raps daily and bought one to two new tapes weekly as music dropped; I really engulfed myself into the culture. I love the

UV: How long have you been creating and performing music?
Wordsmith: I’ve been doing music serious to the point where I make money off my craft since 2009.

UV: Tell the Unheard Voices readers what your passions are and who or what motivates you to continue to strive in a cut throat industry?
Wordsmith: My passion is to use my music to convey a message of purpose in people’s lives. I feel too many of us get up every day like zombies and just go through the motions of a work day without asking ourselves what am I here to accomplish, who can I help today and what new doors do I need to open in my life. I mean think about it; take a moment and say “why was I born”? That’s enough to get you going each morning you wake up.

UV: How would you describe your music?
Wordsmith: My music is a good mix of HipHop, R&B, Pop, Jazz, conscious and commercial music. I can write a radio single, but know it won’t be throw away; a message will be attached to it along with no profanity.

UV: Do you compose and write your own music/lyrics?
Wordsmith: Yes I pride myself on my songwriting. Though HipHop is my main genre I have wrote music for numerous networks like NFL Network, ESPN, ABC, NBC, Fox, Hollidaysburg Movie, Nintendo Wii and more.

UV: What` current projects do you have out or forthcoming projects in progress?
Wordsmith: I recently released my new EP Apt. 507 through Ingrooves/Fontana. Since its release the EP has a perfect rating, so I encourage you to add it to your playlist https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/apt.-507/id955207463 Another project dear to my heart is “My Purpose, My Dream” crowdfunding campaign I am running. Since its release on February 24th I’ve generated over $12,000 and seeking to reach $32,000. My campaign is all for a great cause and we should push to put some variety back onto radio; donations are accepted here http://bit.ly/WordsmithIndie

UV: What artists have the greatest musical influences on you and your music?
Wordsmith: Definitely Coldplay, The Gap Band, Parliament and Funkadelic, Eminem, Nas and the Isley Brothers. I’m a fan of real musicians that make timeless music.

UV: What or who influenced you to begin your music career?
Wordsmoth: I influenced myself on that tip. Though I was a big fan of HipHop I never looked at myself as an artist growing up. When I was in college I really started seeing I had a talent for writing and performing music, so it spurred me on to take it serious as I got older.

UV: What advice do you have for other indie artists trying to succeed?
Wordsmith: The best advice I can give an aspiring artist is to learn the industry before you decide to release music. Understand what PRO societies are and how they pay you, understand how to copyright your music, book shows, build your own studio, how to license music and I could go on and on. There is a lot to know about the music industry so do your homework.

UV: How in tune are you with your fans?
Wordsmith: I have to spend 2 hours a day just writing people back on DM’s from twitter and answering people on my timeline. I remember when I would get excited just to see two or three people tell me they love my music.

UV: Has anyone ever given you negative feedback on your music, if so how did you react to it?
Wordsmith: Sure because I know everyone won’t like my music and honestly even when haters hit me up I tell them thanks. If you’re taking the time tell me I suck than I’m doing enough to capture your attention.

UV: How important and how difficult is it to support your career with your own funding?
Wordsmith: It’s very difficult and that’s why artists want to be signed to major labels. A big label is basically an investor that pays for your radio promotion, video promotion, PR, Tour support and more. When you’re an indie artist you have to raise the money on your own, seek investors or do crowd funding just too somewhat compete on a decent level.

UV: To date, what has been your best performance?
Wordsmith: When was it, where was it and why is it your best performance? My best performance is yet to come. I’m heading out on my first major tour with Armed Forces Entertainment from April 17th- May 5th with my LIVE Band. That will be without a doubt the best show experience I will have to date. Armed Forces Entertainment 

UV: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Wordsmith: Doing music full time without having to even work a part time job to support my career.

UV: In closing, I would like you to leave the Unheard Voices readers words of encouragement and inspiration, especially for those pursuing a career in music and entertainment.
Wordsmith: I feel part of the journey of life is to seek out your God given gifts and if music happens to be your gift I encourage you to remain steadfast towards your dream!

About Unheard Voices Featured Artists

Through a partnership with Reverbnation, Unheard Voices has a chance to browse through and select artists who are not only cultivating their way through the music industry, but making a difference while doing it.

As we enter a year into our partnership, our goal is find artists who are talented but often go underrepresented in an industry that praises mainstream success.