After  spending  his  adolescence  building  up  a  street  buzz  under  the  name  Young Savage,   the   Philadelphia   rapper   Shawn   Smith   reclaimed   his   own   name   for   his autobiographical debut, SINK OR SWIM: A SHAWN SMITH STORY. Once known for his voracious freestyles and quippy punchlines, Smith’s latest chapter brims with big-picture storytelling  and  astute  social  commentary.  “I  figure  I  can  be  a  spokesperson  because they never gon’ be able to tell their own story,” he says, casting a light on his Southwest Philly friends and family.  “People being aware of that cycle could open their minds up,” he adds optimistically. And yet, there’s no preachiness in his perspective. Instead, Smith has figured out a careful balance in rapping about his upbringing: he’s equal parts sharp-tongued and warm-hearted.

Tune into Joe Budden and his friends and follow along the crazy adventures of these very random friends.

I was born in North Miami, FL and raised in Dade & Broward County, FL. My grandfather was a traveling Jazz Band leader. My parents low-key sang and played instruments growing up and so did I. My parents put me on to Michael Jackson, Anita Baker, Luther Vandross, Queen, and Sade since birth. Throughout grade school, I was introduced and mesmerized by the music of The Notorious B.I.G., Alanis Morissette, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Eminem, Trick Daddy, Limp Bizkit, Nas, Monchy y Alexandra, Tupac, Alicia Keys, etc.

I began writing poetry during my sophomore year of high school as a stress-reliever and a way of expressing myself. A year later, I began recording music in garage alongside a local group of Artists in Miramar, FL. In that garage, I learned how to count bars, wrote my first song, and was given the name “Justincredible”.  Soon after that, I started to win battles/contests and release underground EPs.

While attending college at the University of Central Florida (UCF), I won multiple talent competitions, created radio intros for DJs (DJ Chino, Candi Marie, & DJ G-Clef), and got radio spins.

Shortly after graduation, I began my public speaking mission in 2009 across Orange and Seminole County, Florida. There, I stood with and without microphones; in residential homes, group homes, public schools, alternative schools, and career programs. In each environment, I gave solution oriented speeches and counseling with passion and excellence. These solutions included practical application steps for every student. Samples of my speeches can be found here, here, here, and here.

For over 10 years, I have served as a full-time Middle School Teacher, GED Instructor, Counselor, Intervention Specialist, Youth Mentor, Tutor, etc. My primary focus topics are: academic excellence, self-esteem enhancement, anger management, conflict resolution, overcoming depression & rejection, breaking “writer’s block”, drug-abuse prevention, and leadership skills. Collectively, my efforts to make other’s lives better, have been viewed and listened to thousands of times online.

In 2011, I joined a Creative Writing & Performing Artist super-group called A.M.P.E.D. in Central Florida. I currently works as a Lead Writer & Spoken-Word Poet. Shortly after, my love for creative writing grew stronger. While in this group, I learned how to paint more vivid pictures, got exposed to a new circle of heavy-hitting Artists, and traveled to perform in front of different audiences across the U.S. From 2012-2016, I recorded a mixtape (‘Art Imitating Life: The Dreamix Mixxtape’) and wrote 3 original albums.

In 2016, I recorded, co-engineered, executive-produced, & my first full-length original album (‘Art Imitating Life: Real. Passion. Flow.’). The album is a blend of Hip-Hop, Rock, Jazz, and Classical music. Filled with love stories, rebellious political tracks, inspirational anthems, self-reflective poems, and much more. In 2017, I recorded & released 4 in-depth motivational speeches on academic excellence, self-esteem enhancement, anger management, and conflict resolution. Also, in 2018 I partnered with Orlando, FL 98.5 FM The Wire’s Paul Porter to present ten 2-min. motivational radio segments.

I wake up every day trying to use my voice, talents, and lifestyle to help others. Performing on stage and counseling/motivating some to improve themselves are the most rewarding and enriching things I ever did. Some may say I need to choose which one gift to focus on. I disagree and I am absolutely determined to to do them both! I am currently working on completing my 2nd independent original album and releasing an in-depth motivational speech on overcoming depression.

Dru World is following