Smilez, 25, hails from the Bronx, NY, and Southstar, 24, was born in Hawaii but raised in Los Angles, CA. The two present a delicious but vicious flow that could only emerge when east meets west. When these two cold fronts collide they create a lyrical storm that guarantees to keep heads nodding, trunks bumping and booties shaking from one end of the continent to the other. While in their teens, the two moved to Orlando, FL, to fulfill their destinies in the town they now call home.
Before joining forces Smilez & Southstar were fixtures in Orlando’s competitive hip hop underground scene. Both enjoyed strong local lyrical support, showcasing their skills by free styling some of the hottest underground mix tapes. After garnering much home front love and street credibility, whenever national hip hop acts would converge on Orlando it was a given that Smilez or Southstar would bless the stage as the opening act. They have independently opened for such luminaries as Ja Rule, Mobb Deep, Jadakiss, the Beatnuts and D12. After recording their first song together in 1999 as a favor to their friend, DJ Ekin, it became evident that the two became even more potent when combined. In 2001, at the suggestion of Trans Continental Records Producer Dakari (N’Sync, O-Town, LFO, & 95 South) Smilez & Southstar took to the studio to record their first full-length collaboration, Crash the Party.
Their new, self-titled sophomore album promises to deliver those same hypnotic, fo da street beats mingled with their signature storytelling lyrics. Their first single “U Know” featuring Treal beckons all to recognize their power and behave accordingly. We have no doubt this song is just a foretelling of what’s to come.
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