Wildstyle Magazine

Part 3 of the Kooley High interview special. Charlie Smarts talks about the elements of hip-hop, lets you know what he battles with and shares his thoughts concerning the media. Give his Free Download Album a listen and check out this live band he´s also a part of named Inflowential. Enjoy!

Name: Charlie Smarts

Age: The Prime of my Life

Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina USA

Profession: Cubicle Slave by Day, Underground Railroad by Night

Crew: In the words of Tab-One…“K High Till I die, Inflow forever”… “M.E.C.C.A. is the CLIDDICK!!!”

Websites: kooleyhigh.com/,  youtube.com/meccarecords, myspace.com/kooleyhigh, inflowential.com, myspace.com/charliesmarts, twitter.com/Charlie_Smarts

Rapping since: I started making songs using the ACID program in 2001

Releases: DNA Chronic’Ls, The Product, H2O Compilation, Inflowential EP, Raleigh’s Finest Mixtape, The Adventures of Inflowential Mixtape, The Summer Sessions EP
Albums Featured on: Carnage by Chaundon, Locally Respected by Resonated Records, So This is Me by Ahbleza Sellars

Influences: Good Conversation, Humor, Family… Life

One of my lines: It’s EVIL when you LIVE backwards

Independent vs. Major: Freedom.

Studio vs. Stage: We bring the studio to the stage

Battles: I Battle with… Paying Rent
Getting around without a car
Making time for my Girlfriend
Which of my Dope Sneakers to Rock
Fast Food
Porn

Freestyles: This is a huge part of our art form. I do this mainly when I’m with my friends, or while we are practicing. When I do it, it is mainly for a select few to hear. I write songs for the public.

Mcing: That’s what I do baby. Come see me Live.

B-Boying: Amazed when those talented enough do it in front of me. It’s a essential element of Hip Hop.

Writing (graffiti): Music to my eyes.

Djing: Remember Juice, that battle at the end. Now, that’s what I’m talking about.

Hip-Hop: It’s funny when a bunny does it, but when you take it serious… to strangers it’s dangerous.

Internet: The World is smaller than ever. Not because it is crowded with overpopulation, but because of the super-highway. We meet new people everyday. By the way, hello Germany.

Media: You must master these things to stay relevant; it’s how the message is spread. I would like to reach you in any and every form of Media known to man: audio, video, newsprint, taste, touch, mind melding, etc… Those carrier pigeons are on the way.

Politics: For the policies that help the greater good. The common man needs a voice within any form government.

Love: Sports, Movies, Fashion, Comedy, Cooking, Video Games, Fam

Sucks: Losing

Fans: They keep me cool.

Traveling: Like seeing new places and meeting new people. We have never performed overseas; can’t wait till I get the opportunity.

Money: Money don’t change me… Bitch, I change money.
Money don’t grow on trees?!… But isn’t it paper?
“Cake” by Lloyd Banks is produced by Fatin from NC.
It apparently talks.
In the words of Busta “Gimme Some Mo”
But then again… Mo Money, Mo Problems

Life: Carpe Diem.

Drugs: What you got?

Pain: You play through the pain, you sit out with an injury.

Heroes: Season 1 was good… then it fell off.

Top5 Rap albums: Doggystyle, Love Below, The Blueprint, Ready to Die, Supreme Clientele

Top 5 LPs of any music genre: Enter the Dru, OK Computer, The Mis-education of Lauryn Hill, Thriller, What’s going on

Favorite drink: Water

Favorite food: Whatever Momma is cooking.

Sneakers: Nikes, Vans, Pumas, es, etc… Depends on the day I keep it fresh.

Favorite movie industry people: I appreciate the works of Quinton Tarantino, Guy Ritchie, Jim Carey, Terry Crews, Samuel L Jackson, Johnny Depp, Jim Carey, Angela Basset, Jack Nicholson, Dave Chappelle, George Clooney to name a few.

Favorite Athletes: Ones that create artistry in motion… Barry Sanders, Deion Sanders Ronaldhino, Rodney Mullen, Hot Sauce, Randy Moss, Shaq, T-Mac, Michael Phelps, Michael Johnson, Ray Allen, Allen Iverson, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Pete Maravich, Bruce Lee, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the list goes on…

Advice: It only takes one person to believe in you. That person is in the mirror.

Shout outs and props:

Inflowential
My mom and dad
Blu Thompson
Tracy aka “Baby Gurl”
Erica Biz
Nurse Booty
Halo
Ka$h
Napoleon Wright
NC State
Lazrso
Idris Elba
Supastition
LB
My State North Carolina
Anyone involved in living Hip Hop
And you the reader… PEACE!!!