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Straight out of the Sunshine State are Smilez & Southstar, the latest additions to the southern hip-hop
scene. What makes our music so unique is that weve been influenced by everybody, says Southstar. Living in Orlando, we get
to hear the Jay-Zs, the Cash Moneys, the Trick Daddys, the Dres. Everything comes together here. Born in the Bronx, Smilez
honed his rhyme skills performing for the sick and elderly at the hospital where his mother worked. At 17, his mom moved the
family to Orlando so Smilez would stay out of trouble. Continuing his passion for words and wit, Smilez began showcasing his
skills in local battles and on mix tapes also opening up shows for the likes of Mobb Deep, Ja Rule, Busta Rhymes and Terror
Squad. Meanwhile, Southstar was also building a following among Floridas rap fanatics. Born in Hawaii, he lived in Los Angeles
and New Jersey before winding up in Orlando at age 15. He immersed himself in the competitive local hip-hop scene, spitting
his L.A./Jersey flow in the same ciphers as Smilez opening for Jadakiss, Mr. Cheeks, The Beatnuts and Cuban Link. Southstar
also did street team promotion for various major record labels to learn the business side of the industry. We had heard of
each other from playing ball, and we did a freestyle together on a local DJs mix tape, says Smilez. The chemistry was there.
But it was long-time friend and producer Dakari (N Sync, O-Town, LFO, 95 South), who brought them together, and the two young
rappers officially became Smilez & Southstar. Its crazy. We saw that we had the same personalities. The same energy, the
same goals. We even would be thinking about the same things, Southstar says about the duos first encounter. With the help
of Dakari, Smilez & Southstar snagged a deal with ARTISTdirect Records and immediately began work on their debut album.
And so, in between Smilezs shifts working at a local hotel and Southstars retail job, they spent late nights and early mornings
in the studio creating Crash The Party. Its very crazy how complete it is, remarks Southstar about the album. You can throw
it in and not have to worry about changing the CD. Its a journey through our life and yours.
Smilez and Southstar
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