Interview with indie artist Hoov Smash

Rapper, producer, and writer Hoov Smash was a hit on Cincinnati’s underground circuit before regional performances and mixtape hit songs led to a HDR Music Group independent commitment. The artist has received substantial media buzz following the release of his club single "Y.O.L.O.," available now on iTunes and Amazon. He spoke with Examiner about his next single, and how he hooked up with HDR.

Brownie: You’re a talented rapper, producer, and writer. Which of these is your first love?

Hoov Smash: My first love is producing. I love making beats. I have a very creative personality and imagination. I think that you have to just be that way being a producer, plus it lets me have the freedom to create any sound I want in my songs. Producing is where my heart [and] soul is; creating the music is my passion.

How did you link up with “Mr. Ronnie Ron” and HDR Music Group?

I always wanted to be involved in the music industry. Growing up I watched my uncle, Mr. Ronnie Ron, doing his thing. I watched my brother make beats, my cousin produce and write songs. So I guess it’s just in my blood. Long story short, one day I sent him a track I produced while he was living in Atlanta building a production team. He liked what he heard and a few months later I was signed.

What artists have you produced tracks for?

Right now I'm doing in-house production work for HDR Music Group, and working on a few major placements. I've done the “Junkyz 4 Eva” mixtape for the Studio Junkyz, and my first single “Y.O.L.O.” I want to producer some big hits and I believe I can do it.

Your single “Y.O.L.O.” is all over the place! When is the music video coming?

I know, I’m grinding hard. The “Y.O.L.O.” music video will be dropping late April. The video [will be] off the chains. I’m putting together a great video-- y'all gone love it.

The track “Bonkers” has a lot of momentum also. How do you and your management decide what tracks to release as singles?

“Bonkers” is on that “Junkyz 4 Eva” mixtape i produced last year and its still hot today. “Bonkers” is one of the songs that was picked in our process. Each and every month we call a meeting and we have a listening party. We vote on which track is the best and what we think is a hit record.

What’s next for you?

Doing lots of shows right now and working on my second single called “Club on Zombie.” This track is crazy, nothing sounds like it. It’s another club banger, but it’s a little different. If you think “Y.O.L.O.” was good, you’re going to love this. This will be my first solo song all written and produced by me with no features. We don't have a set release date set but it should be early summer.

How can your fans keep in touch with you?

You can check me out at www.HDRMusicGroup.com, and hit my Facebook fan page at Facebook.com/DaRealHoovSmash. Also follow me on Twitter @HoovSmash, or Instagram @HoovSmash. If you’re looking to buy tracks or for booking, contact: 404-530-9959.