Underneath all of YouTube’s pointless variations of cat activities and twerk tutorials, lies an entire generation of undiscovered talent.
Singers, actors, dancers, and musicians are literally one-click away from making their dreams a reality, every time they visit the video-sharing site. It worked for pop’s international bad boy Justin Bieber, songstress Dondria, and it most recently R&B’s newest heartthrob, B. Smyth.
TheGrio was able to catch up with the young singer/songwriter to discuss his record deal, his bond with Trey Songz, and how he turned his online hobby into a lucrative career.
TheGrio: Is it true that you did not like to sing much when you were younger?
B. Smyth: Yea, nobody really knew that I could sing. I wouldn’t tell my mother, I wouldn’t tell my brothers, I wasn’t singing in front of nobody. I was too shy. So, sometimes I would sing in the shower… I could just let it all hang out in [there], but my mom came back there one time and heard me. From there, she just kept trying to make me sing and I was like ‘NO, mom, no!’ So, she said, ‘I’m not going to force it on you, but I know you are going to come back to it, and when you do, I’ll be behind you 100%.” Once I got into high school, I went after and just tried it. She’s been my biggest fan ever since.
So, when did you decide to pursue a serious career in music?
After doing chorus and winning a couple of talent shows in school, I started doing YouTube. When I started to build a fan base, I was just like I can’t look back now. This is what I love to do, and I am just going to keep working hard at it and now I am here today.
Describe the feelings you had when you published your first YouTube video. What thoughts were going through your head?
“I was definitely nervous. I didn’t know what I was doing; I just turned the camera on, started singing, and just hoped for the best. After, the first people that I saw were some of my peers in school. Once they told me that I should keep doing it, I just kept doing it. Every week I would chose a different song, usually whatever the hottest song was. Then I started getting requests from people… The page kept growing and growing. Once the videos made it onto World Star Hip Hop, I was like ‘damn, this is definitely about to happen for me.”
What made you decide to sign with Motown Records?
After I did my first showcase, I was able to have the privilege of going to pretty much every label to feel each one of them out. Motown was actually the last label I ended up showcasing for. They just really were about me, and not so much about just putting me out there and seeing what would happen. They were really big on artist development and making sure that I would not just be here for today, but also actually have a long career in this industry. That really stuck with me.
You are not only a talented singer, but also a great dancer. Why is it so important to you to bring that element to your performances?
I love entertaining people. When people come to see me, I want to make sure that they get their money’s worth and they actually get a good show. Once I got signed, I was put in the presence of great people, from my choreographers to my whole creative team. They really instilled in me that I have the tools to do it; I just have to put it to work. I just love entertaining people and I love performing.
You just released your six-part visual mix-tape, “The Florida Files” on October 15th. Can you explain the concept you and your team came up with?
“Instead of putting out a mix-tape with six songs that people can just listen to, we put out something that they can watch with it. I thought that it would be good, especially with the EP titled ‘The Florida Files’, to just bring people into my world and show people where I come from. All of the visuals were filmed in Florida.”
How does it feel to have the EP officially released?
It’s a small weight off of my shoulders just because I am able to say I released my first project. It’s been great, all day I have been listening to the CD. It’s been on repeat. I actually went to Best Buy and bought a couple copies just because I could. I am really just soaking it all in. I know this is just the beginning. We’ve got more music coming, and more everything coming.
How have the fans received it? From your original YouTube fans to the newer supporters, what have they been saying about “The Florida Files”?
I’m getting nothing but good responses. I haven’t seen any negative comments. A lot of them, they’ve been waiting for it, so they were just happy that I put it out. It’s been a while, so now that it’s finally out, they are taking it all in and supporting the movement. Shout out to Team B.Smyth!
You worked with super-producers Sean Garrett, Rico Love, and Mike Will Made It on this project. What was it like to work with them on your very first project?
Oh, it was dope. You know, me, Sean and Mike, we all are pretty cool. Sean is like my big brother. Every time you are in the studio with him, it’s going to be an experience…. They are all like my big bros. They’ve all been mentors to me as well. It’s been good energy and I look forward to working with them in the future.”
What is the best advice you’ve received about navigating the music industry, so far?
I’ve had the privilege of meeting good, genuine people. One person that I am really cool with is Trey Songz. He is the one that really told me, this is a game bro, so don’t get mad at this; It’s just a game, so don’t take anything personal. You are going to meet people and they are going to come into your life for seasons and stuff like that, so that really stuck with me.
So, what do you personally want to bring to R&B that will make you stand out amongst the other artists?
I just want to bring feel-good music back. I want my music be able to last through times and you know, bring people back. I feel like today, we are all real ‘cool’ right now. I just want to take it back to when everybody was feeling good. I remember a time where everybody was dancing, even the rappers, so I want to be the one to spark that flame.
Follow B. Smyth on YouTube at BSmyth1000, on Twitter at @TheRealBSmyth, and make sure you download his EP, “The Florida Files” on iTunes now.