Smoke E Digglera: From Playa to a Solo Career
- How has working as a solo artist compared to working in Playa?
Working as a solo artist has been very fulfilling and harder too. I have no other voices to rely on. It's gotta be all me. But, it does enable me to give everyone all of me (what they had in Playa and what they haven't had, thus far). I do sometimes envision Playa on my records, and I sing and arrange what it would be if we were doing it.
- Let's talk about your independent record label Bittersweet LLC. Who is currently signed to your label and what can we expect from them in the near future?
I, currently, have signed to Bittersweet, LLC., G.No aka The Latin Bird. I released a CD+DVD, "From Paris 2 Louisville", on Valentine's Day 2009 (myspace.com/gnolatinbird). We plan to work on another DVD that will be me in Paris, this time, and a duet album very soon. There are a few other artists that are looking to get signed and artists that we are looking to sign ourselves. Stay tuned! If anyone's looking to be signed, just hit me up on my myspace or my facebook.
I, also, have a graphics company signed, called Angabee Designz. The owner, Angi, helps me with my graphics, as well as, a lot of internet promotions and site maintenance.
- I know G.No is one of the artists signed to your label. How did you guys meet? What is it like working with an artist who performs in another language?
G.No aka The Latin Bird and I met on MySpace. The whole DVD is basically the story of him meeting me, and displays him leaving Paris and coming to Louisville to work with me, amongst other things. I like working with different types of music genres. It expands my craft and my ear. I love the latin genre. I've always wanted to reach those listeners, and being that France is one of my biggest markets, it was a good business marriage for us.
- What is the status of your third album?
My third album, The Truth In The Booth, is 95% complete. I'm, also, going to release two other albums along with it, as appreciation to my fans and consumers. These will include cover songs, Playa Unreleased material, and much more! As of right now, the new and upcoming single off the album will be On Tha Inside. Again, stay tuned!
- What was the inspiration behind the first single Angel?
Angel was really a song I free-styled. I really didn't have any inspiration. Music is usually my only inspiration. I heard the track and immediately heard "This is a message from heaven". Then, I just took it from there. I was surprised to feel like it was 1st single material, being that I sang so smooth on it and free-styled it, too. But, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, as they say.
- What do you have planned after your third album? Will you continue doing R&B or will you go over to Gospel? I've heard in interviews that's what you were thinking of doing soon. Is that still in consideration right now or do you want to focus on R&B first?
After my third album, I plan to focus on my artists. I may release a greatest hits and/or unreleased Smoke E. Digglera CD. I do plan to do a quartet gospel album. There have been talks of a group that will, possibly, include Tank and Woody from Dru Hill. Not sure about that yet, though. It may be another solo thing.
- What is Digital Black working on today?
I have no clue of what Digital Black is doing.
- What are your thoughts on R&B music today?
R&B music today is dead and it sucks. It's real sad when labels, as well as consumers and listeners allow a genre of music to die. Everyone is singing; even those that do not know how. Nowadays, if you can sing, you most likely won't sell, nor be looked at as an asset. But, if you can't sing, and you try to do so with Autotune or something, you're the hottest thing going today.
It's sad when you're fucked, due to people that don't really possess the true talent of song. I wonder where the love went. No one sings of love. That's partially, why the world is so fucked up now. There's no love. It's all about materialistic shit. Hence, people getting killed over their materialistic shit, killed due to jealousy or intimidation, and/or just negative situations that prove to them they still the shit without the materialistic shit; they gotta be hard. Fuck that shit! Be loved and loving! Set an example and make others love, want to love, and want to be loved! Where did the love go?
- How do you feel the signing of artists to record labels has changed since you guys got into the game?
I, pretty much, answered this question, too. No labels are trying to sign an artist with true, undeniable talent. They're looking for a sound. Meaning, do you sound like someone else that's hot. That's ridiculous. How do you plan to change the music? Surely you don't want it to sustain! Labels are now afraid to sign someone that already has the whole package.
If they can't mold you to what they want or think you should be, or so they can say "they did it", then, you're fucked in the game. So, now, it's all about making and creating a buzz on your own to go along with your story and your package. I'm sure you've recognized how many independent artists there are in the world. LOL.
There's even a new genre of music and record label option. Indie. Shit is bananas! Even women have gotten hip. Now, they model for Dj mixtapes. And there are tons of DJs all over now, too. Indies, now, have to give shit away for free just to be heard. LOL. I get songs all the time in my email. Are you trying to make money at all? What's the world coming to?
- There seems to be a dearth of R&B groups today compared to the 90s. Those that do exist, seem to have been formed by reality tv or record labels. What do you think has caused this shift away from the R&B group scene?
I think this has a lot to do with the signing of artists by the label, the consumers, and the listeners. Like I've said, labels are trying to form and mold artists into what they perceive is hot. And, you can't forget that there hasn't been any groups even close to what there was back in the 90's. Today's sound is far from a group sound. I will not be listening to a group that uses Autotune. LOL
- What is your opinion on Autotune?
I hate Autotune. I think it's one of the worst things that could have ever happened to music, especially R&B music, the way the consumers and listeners are taking to it...and the way the labels are putting it out. It's one of the main causes of the death of R&B today! I have a rap artist I may sign that uses it sometimes, but he knows that I hate it! LOL
- To end things, we have a tradition at R&B Haven to ask artists about their favorite songs from 90s R&B. So what were some of your favorites?
Some of my favorites were Stay (Jodeci), Forever My Lady (Jodeci), Cry 4 U (Jodeci), Part-Time Lover (H-Town), Ribbon In The Sky (Intro), If I Ever Fall In Love (Shai), Piece Of My Love (Guy), Are You Lonely 4 Me? (Rude Boys), Alone (Men At Large), Don't Disturb This Groove (The System), Before I Let U Go (BlackStreet), Spread My Wings (Troop), Breakin My Heart (Mint Condition), Promises (Christpoher Williams), Ooh This Love Is So (Al B. Sure!), Make It Last Forever (Keith Sweat)...just to name a few......lol
- Thanks a lot Smoke, I wish you the best of luck in the future!
Thank You! I really appreciate you having me and all of the fans, as well. Much luv to ya'll. All of my music is available on www.trackspin.com, when you long for true R&B. The Truth In The Booth is coming out very soon, with some surprises!Check out my artist G.No aka The Latin Bird, too! Holla!
Keep up to date with Smoke E. Digglera at Smoke's Myspace. Be sure to check out his new album, Truth in Da Booth, coming out April 22nd.