Smilez & Southstar

Smilez and Southstar are a hip-hop duo based in Orlando, Florida. They had a Top 40 hit with the song Tell Me. Their music has been played on stations nationwide and their videos have appeared on MTV and BET. The group is unique because of the difference of races. Smilez is African-American while Southstar is Chinese and Filipino. Southstar was born in Hawaii. Smilez met Southstar while rap battling in Orlando. Both were involved in rap battles. The group's first single was "Who Wants This" featuring Kelis. The song had an underground vibe to it and created a buzz. The group's next single Tell Me hit the Top 40 charts. The duo followed it up with the melancholic "Now That You're Gone". Smilez talks about the death of his mother and Southstar speaks about the death of his son, Malik. "Tell Me" used a sample from Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross's song Look, Listen, and Live. There was controversy when Ja Rule and Ashanti's song Mesmerized, released around the same time, used the same sample. They toured with reggae artist Beenie Man. The group has been quiet because of their switch in labels. They were indie but now have created their own independent record label Groundwerks Entertainment. The label features reggae artist Viper and rapper Vill. Smilez and Southstar are currently working on their next album. The album features the songs "Found Out", "Been a Long Time", and "Good Look". "Good Look" features Cash Money rapper Gotti. Beenie Man and Killer Mike will be featured on the album. The lead single features rapper Treal.