Smitty

Infobox musical artist
Name = Smitty
Background = solo_singer

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Img_capt = Smitty in 2005
Birth_name = Varick D. Smith
Origin = Little Haiti, Miami, Florida, U.S.
Born =
Died =
Genre = Hip hop
Occupation = Rapper
Entertainer
Years_active =
Label = Chameleon Entertainment/Blackground/Universal
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.smittyonline.com/ Official site]

Varick D. Smith, better known as Smitty, is an American rapper and hip-hop ghostwriter from Little Haiti, a neighborhood in Miami, Florida.

Biography

While growing up in Little Haiti, Varick came home one day to see a friend fatally shot due to involvement in the drug game. [http://www.miaminewtimes.com/Issues/2006-03-02/music/music.html Miami - Music - Paper Chaser ] ] The incident made him more aware of his future. In 1997 he decided to enroll at Florida A&M University to major in journalism. However, his aspiration to become a full-fledged artist led him to switch coasts after only two and half years of school. He would eventually, through a friend, get the opportunity to start in the hip-hop industry by flying out to meet with legendary producer Dr. Dre while he was filming "The Wash". After many hours waiting around on set, Varick finally got the chance to rap in front of Dr. Dre. Dr. Dre was impressed and Varick was asked to work on a few tracks for The Wash soundtrack. [http://www.musicremedy.com/articles/2720 Smitty 'Life of a Troubled Child' album - MusicRemedy ] ]

In addition to working on the soundtrack, Varick has also worked on several songs, including two chart hits - 'Shake Ya Tailfeather' by P. Diddy, Nelly & Murphy Lee and 'Bump, Bump, Bump' by B2K. He has collaborated with fellow hip-hop artists such as Trick Daddy, Scarface, Kanye West, and an unknown artist Brady Geitz

Record deals

Opportunities to sign with Aftermath Records, Arista Records, Capitol Records, Def Jam, Elektra Records, and Jive Records were all offered, but were turned down in lieu of creative freedom.http://www.kwabs.com/artman/publish/article_2188.shtml] Smitty eventually signed with Clive Davis' J Records in 2003.

As of April 2008, Smitty is no longer with J Records, according to an interview with WordofSouth.com. He is currently putting the finishing touches on a deal with Chameleon/Blackground/Universal, and hopes to release his debut album soon after the deal is final. [ [http://www.wordofsouth.com/online/?p=1095 » Smitty: Over And Over Again ] ]

Discography

In July 2005, Smitty released his debut single effort "Diamonds on My Neck", which charted at Billboard charts; a music video was directed by Hype Williams. His second single, "Died in Your Arms", failed to chart. A debut album, "Life of a Troubled Child", was scheduled for release in late 2005 but was shelved. He released two mixtapes, "The Voice of the Ghetto" and "Heart of the South". [ [http://www.musesmuse.com/cgi-bin/pressreleases/pressreleases.cgi?release=20060503.1146415993.134 Fuel Services Inc. Western Mass Fuel Oil, Heating Oil, and Heating and Cooling. Full service, equipment installations, automatic delivery, and diesel delivery. Serving Westfie... ] ]

Trivia

*His nickname was given to him by Dr. Dre.
* Grew up listening to local Miami hip-hops such as 2 Live Crew and Jam Pony Express, as well as Notorious B.I.G.
* Smitty's mother works in the financial section of Broward General Medical Center hospital.
* His father was in and out of jail while he was a teen.
* Smitty has two younger brothers and sisters. He is currently paying for one of his sisters' college education. [ [http://www.journal-news.com/featr/content/shared-gen/ap/asap/Entertainment/asap_Entertainment_Smitty_the_Rapper.html] Dead link|date=March 2008]
* He says he rarely talks to friends from his childhood. [ [http://www.journalnews.com/featr/content/shared-gen/ap/asap/Entertainment/asap_Entertainment_Smitty_the_Rapper.html] Dead link|date=March 2008]
* Smitty was raised a spiritual person. He was frequently in church as a young child. [http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=4233] and two of his good friends are Reverend Jermaine Turner and Nahum St. Preux. [ [http://www.vibe.com/music/next/2005/10/smitty_diamond_in_the_rough/ Smitty - Diamond in the Rough : VIBE.com ] ]
* Even though he is a rapper with a million dollar recording contract, he admits that the women have been few and far between in his life prior to being a rap artist. He hopes to marry his current girlfriend.
* He attended Everglades Middle School in Miramar (Broward County).
* He attended and graduated from Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Florida (Broward County).
* He is a blood relative of Steven Page. Famous graduate of Elmhurst Highschool.

References

External links

* [http://www.smittyonline.com/ Official site]