What’s your stage name and where are you from?
Nando Smoove; Brooklyn, NY
What’s the story behind your stage name?
My first name is Renand and i had a home girl who started calling me “Nando” and “Smoove” is what i want to be in life so i gave myself the moniker to manifest it 🕺🏿. Also, i always liked the first name, last name thing; shouts out to J-Money 🫡. it just seems professional, nah mean? Biggie Smalls, Tupac Shakur, Lloyd banks, Jim Jones, Method Man, Erik Sermon, etc… Just seems like you mean business with the first name, last name, nah’m sayin? ✊🏿.
Describe your musical journey in three sentences.
Mastering the art of rap, performing and song making; Solidifying my sound so i can solidify my core audience that will carry me through life ✊🏿; Learning the business side of music via independent promotion aka having all my paperwork in order so i can make sure I’m making money🕺🏿.
Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.
Well for my second verse of the joint I’m about to release, i did a tongue twister at end sort of and it was funny as hell trying to get the words out properly and in sequential order lol.
What message do you want to convey through your music?
Persevere. It may not catch on right away, but keep at it. Keep getting better and always make sure your “product” is good. Whatever you’re selling, if it’s great, it’s timeless. So all that’s left is to execute ✊🏿.
Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.
Writer’s block. Listening to MF Doom was how I overcame it. It opened another door of rap for me ✊🏿.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
Stevie Wonder. Why? For HIP HOP …
Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?
On tour in Brazil with my family for the first. Everyone that’s working with me getting paid daily, with stay and travel covered, and a daily $75 per diem as well. God willing🙏🏿✊🏿🤞🏿🙌🏿🕺🏿
What’s the next big step for you as an artist?
Honestly, I could say a bigger stage, but i want sync licensing and to flood the streets with my merch to really get the movement going. Figgadealme.
Where can we hear/watch your most recent work?
Anywhere you stream music 🫡. Videos on YouTube under Nando Smoove and i got performances on Instagram @nando_smoove.
