Today we’d like to introduce you to Sy Smith. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Sy Smith has solidified her place in the world of underground soul music (she’s often called “the hardest working woman in underground soul”). Hailing proudly from Washington, DC, and the DMV, this Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, and producer helped cultivate the nu-soul scene in that city more than 10 years ago, a scene which now easily boasts some of the most progressive artists of that genre to date, some of whom came directly from Smith’s own band line-ups (including Thundercat and Kamasi Washington). Her catalog includes 6 studio albums, with contributions from a who’s who of producers (James Poyser of The Roots, Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest, and Nicolay of The Foreign Exchange).
Smith’s career began as a backing vocalist on some of the music industry’s most coveted gigs. She has provided supporting vocals for Whitney Houston, Sheila E., Meshell Ndegeocello, Chaka Khan, Usher, Macy Gray, and The Rickey Minor Band (as seen on American Idol for six seasons and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno). Most recently, though, she’s caught the ear of jazz aficionados as a featured guest with Grammy-winning trumpeter Chris Botti. Audiences around the world are often astounded to see Smith’s voice and Botti’s trumpet go note-for-note in playful competition on stage, and her performances of “The Look Of Love” on his Grammy-nominated DVD “Live In Boston” and “The Very Thought Of You” on his 2018 PBS special “Great Performances” are audience favorites.
Her latest album, “Until We Meet Again,” was released January 26, 2024, on FE Music and features production by Zo! & Tall Black Guy, with Grammy-nominated rapper Phonte Coleman serving as executive producer.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Sure, there have been plenty of struggles and obstacles. Too many to name and too pithy to focus on. I’m blessed to say I’m still here. Still doing what I love to do. And still looking forward to the opportunities the future has for me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a musician first, a vocalist second. I mention this because I think it gives context on my approach as an artist. It took me a long time to acknowledge that I am a singer because I was never the girl who stood in front of the mirror with a hairbrush, imitating her favorite diva. But I’ve always been a noisemaker, a member of the band, a contributor to the overall sound of whatever I’ve been a part of… To this end, I’m now comfortable saying I’m a recording artist with 6 albums under her belt.
Right now, I’m proudest of my new album, “Until We Meet Again”. We released it into the digi-verse last month (Jan 2024) – that is, it’s available on all the major streaming platforms. And it’s getting REALLY great response from listeners and reviews from critics. Some are even calling it the album of the year! Which, even in just the second month of the year, still feels amazing.
This album is definitely my best work to date. The songs are powerful, personal and resonate with listeners in ways that manifest all the emotions I was hoping to evoke. That means more to me than anything.
I’m also proud to be taking this album on the road on a 10-city tour starting next month (March 2024). This is no easy feat for an indie artist like myself. My machine is a modest 2-woman team, and I’m one of them. LOL. The other is my business partner, Marketta Rodriguez, who is a fierce and staunch supporter of what I’m doing. I’m lucky to have a partner like her.
I’ll be making stops in Indianapolis, Columbus, DC, Philly, Erie, Chicago, Charlotte, New Orleans, Houston, and then ending the first leg of my tour in Los Angeles at the Miracle Inglewood on April 27!
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I’ll always recognize my mom and dad when it comes to naming people who have been directly involved with supporting my dreams and pushing me to achieve them. But I’d like to give a very special shoutout to my high school choir director – Dr. Barbara Baker of Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, MD. Dr. Baker saw something in me all those years ago that I didn’t even see in myself, and she made sure to encourage me to see myself in spaces/places where girls like me were rarely seen. She encouraged me to audition for all kinds of choirs – countywide, statewide, NATIONwide. And she made sure I didn’t slack off. Little things like making me section leader, competing in solo/ensemble classical events, and making sure I participated in musical theater, even when the productions weren’t my cup of tea… There is no way I’d ever be the vocalist/performer I am if I didn’t have Dr. Baker at the helm of my musical matriculation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fanlink.to/sysmith
- Instagram: instagram.com/syberspace
- Facebook: facebook.com/sysmithmusic
- Twitter: twitter.com/syberspace
- Youtube: youtube.com/sysmith69
- Other: empire.ffm.to/untilwemeetagain
Image Credits
Mike Quain
Matthew Brandon
Sy Smith
