By Sonia Schnee | Posted Monday, December 9, 2019
In August of this year, South Jersey rapper, hip hop producer, and audio engineer Chill Smith released his latest album, Chillville, YO, followed by a music video for his single, "blas•phe•my.” He is an Asbury Music Award nominated artist who has been performing for at capacity crowds across New Jersey for the past decade. Check out our interview with Chill Smith, below, to learn more about the inspiration behind his music and his plans for the future.
What's your name, where are you from, where are you based now?
I go by Chill Smith. I was born and raised in Paterson, NJ. I currently live near Seaside.
How would you describe your sound?
I'd describe my sound as contemporary East Coast hip hop, heavy 808s, trap beats with an East Coast flow.
Who are your musical influences?
I have a bunch of influences, but my most current influences have been Royce Da 5'9", J. Cole, Drake, Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar.
congrats on the release of your album, Chillville, YO. What can you tell us about the inspiration behind some of the tracks on it? Tell us a bit about your creative process.
I suffer from anxiety. My anxiety either forces me to hide or just go. A friend of mine, Chris Rockwell, released a track everyday in January. I’ve seen the results he got, so I decided to try something similar. By the time I decided to do that I was working two jobs, so releasing a track everyday wouldn't have been feasible. I choose to do it every Friday. I just wanted to rap, I wanted to have fun, I didn't want to make the beats, just rap, record and mix. I wasn't expecting to make this album, I was just picking beats and recording. I didn't even write lyrics, I just turned on the microphone and went off emotions.
First Video off Chillville, YO. Shot By: Chris Rockwell. Edited By: Chill Smith
Is there anyone who you actively collaborate with or would like to collaborate with in the future?
I don't really like working with people when it comes to my own music. I have to be left alone in my own space, but I'm glad I collab’d with the ones on the album, especially Heather Hills. Heather Hills has a video on Twitter with about 160k views of her rapping her verse off “Pepto Bismol”, which organically is my most streamed song.
Second music video off Chillville, YO. Recorded and Edited by Chill Smith.
Also, congrats on the release of your new music video for "blas•phe•my." What was the music-video-making process like?
That video was spontaneous. I just said "fuck it." I shot it on my cell phone after seeing Joker for a second time. I had several ideas, but over-planning slows me down. It took me two days to record. Most of the shots are me in my car. For the shots on the roof, I used a $5 stand from 5 and Below. I danced on that roof without music, I couldn't even tell if I was in the shot. I used a stock app on my laptop to edit the video. I'm proud of it.
What has your personal journey been like so far? How’d you get to this point?
My personal journey as far my music career has been great! I've been across the country, I've gotten to meet and open up for some great artists I admire and respect like Pharoahe Monch and Joe Budden. I got here by constantly working and taking risks.
Do you have any words of advice for people who share a similar passion, or have maybe faced similar obstacles/challenges?
Use your resources, don't let money get in the way. Surround yourself with people who have the same goals, don't expect everyone to listen to your music, it's your job as an artist to make people want to listen.
Finally, what are some ways that fans can connect with you online?
My website is www.chillsmith.com and all my social media is @chillsmithchill.