We sit down with LFE J Smacka, a figure of resilience and determination whose experiences reach far beyond the parameters of a typical artist’s life. With a challenging past that saw him incarcerated as a young man, J Smacka has transformed his hardship into fuel for his creative expression, employing the healing power of music. His honest lyricism resonates with raw emotion and heartfelt truths, drawing influences from prominent figures like 2 Pac, The Jacka, and Mac Dre. From his Bay Area upbringing to his endeavors in the music industry, J Smacka’s journey showcases the transformative power of creativity amidst adversity.
Hey, thanks for chatting with us. Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m LFE J Smacka. I grew up moving around a lot in the Bay Area, Sacramento and Reno, NV with Richmond, CA being my home base. I was incarcerated at the age of 16 and sentenced as an adult. I’ve spent 10 years behind bars and am now free to pursue my dreams in music.
Who or what inspired you to start making music? And, when did you start?
What inspired me to start making music was not really being able to express myself to others. When I started writing, it made it easy to say the things I felt. Some musical influences are 2 Pac, The Jacka, and Mac Dre.
What is your biggest challenge as an artist?
My biggest challenge as an artist has been being unable to spread my art to a bigger audience due to my lengthy incarceration.
What is your favorite project or single you have released?
My favorite project I released is my album Road to Success.
Who are your inspirations? What artists or bands are you listening to?
My biggest inspiration is 2 Pac and The Jacka. Some artists I listen to right now are Kodak Black, Baby Money, Symba, and Lil Baby.
What’s the process behind working on a song like?
My process of working on a song is to get in my mode and really feel the beat and the mood and let my spirit take over the rapping.
Tell me about your upcoming music and what inspired you to create it!
I have an EP that I’m working on and situations that have occurred in my life inspired it. From losing my baby brother to gun violence and my nephew to a drug while still trying to navigate my parole and take care of my kids.
What are your plans for 2023?
My plan for 2023 is to get my music heard around the world because although it’s gritty, it inspires whoever listens to it.
Have any shoutouts?
I want to shout out my entire camp LFE. Loyal Family Empire!
From the discussion, it’s clear that LFE J Smacka is an artist on a journey of continual growth, drawing from past trials to create music that speaks to the soul. His passion for music, his drive to reach a wider audience, and his commitment to family and community are tangible in every word he shares. With plans to take his music global, J Smacka demonstrates an unwavering commitment to his art and a promise of authenticity to his listeners. His upcoming EP, born from personal loss and struggle, is a testament to his ability to harness pain into purpose. As we keep our eyes on his rise, we bear witness to the resilience of a man determined to make his mark on the world through his gritty yet inspiring music. Check out Road to Success and the rest of LFE J Smacka’s music on Spotify or wherever you stream music.