Mr. Smilez

In 2002 Smilez and Southstar burst on the Hiphop scene with their debut album "Crash the Party" which sold just over 300,000 copies through the popularity of its hit single, "Tell Me" (What’s Goin’ On). The song landed them a top spot on the Billboard music charts, BET’s Rap City video countdown, and performances on BET's 106 & Park, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Soul Train, and Jenny Jones and single handedly, put Orlando, Florida on the hip hop map. Now, lightning is about to strike twice but this time, it's the debut solo effort from Smilez or as he's now known as, MR. SMILEZ! MR. SMILEZ, is not only working on a solo album, he is working on a whole new sound, look, and direction for Hiphop! He feels that being born and raised in the Bronx, NY made being different and creative a necessity. In this effort, he's hooked up with two very important music figures that’ve been behind groundbreaking projects which ultimately changed music history. First, he sought out music producer Dakari (*N SYNC, Backstreet Boys, New Kids On The Block, Aaron Carter, Brooke Hogan, O-Town and Smilez and Southstar, etc) to create a vibe that includes an original mix of dance, techno, and rock. Next, MR. SMILEZ sought out Executive Producer, *N SYNC founder, and group member, Chris Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick has great experience from the mega success of *N SYNC and is now the head of music production company, Working Class Industry. Knowing the talent that lies within Dakari and MR. SMILEZ, as well as understanding the viability of Pop Music, Kirkpatrick believed in the idea of creating this new, refreshing Hiphop sound, and what it will do for the music business. “The Sponge”, the name of anticipated solo debut album from MR. SMILEZ, is an audio collection of his life experiences and when you listen to the album, it's cool, sexy, clever and a stylish revelation of his personality. The debut single, "AUTOMATIC" was catapulted to nightclub success in Florida after the creation and proliferation of the youtube music video. Shot with a video camera, no larger than a cell phone, using some friends who stopped by the studio, MR. SMILEZ, Dakari, Chris Kirkpatrick and a few of Chris's bobblehead friends, decided to make a fun, straight to youtube, music video for the song. It’s a dance, techno, fast beat track that is sonically laced to cause your body to move as if it were an automatic reaction. “AUTOMATIC” is also an indication that this album will take you on an unusual journey full of sounds, lyrics, and images yet to be discovered in Hiphop. This album is ahead of its time and really allows MR. SMILEZ to define the future of Hiphop to those who are seeking an alternative to the current variety. The buzz of "AUTOMATIC" and its fresh, forward thinking and international appeal, is naturally drawing an increasing number of noteworthy recording artists, requesting the opportunity to participate in the movement. Ladies and gentlemen, Working Class Industry along with G-Double-U Entertainment presents MR. SMILEZ!