Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Williams.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
As crazy as it is, when I was a kid, I told myself that I never wanted to be a rapper, due to the prejudice environment that I grew up in and because I just wanted to be different. I started writing poetry when I was thirteen. Then I heard Christian Hip-Hop when I was 18 and I knew that’s what God called me to do(around the same time I started working with children in various after-school programs). In 2014, I met the owner of Fresh Academicz, a school that used to be in Hagerstown, Maryland that taught the elements of hip-hop. I took rap classes and loved the school so much that I stuck around afterwards. I was asked to teach rap classes in 2019. I told myself that I just cant teach kids how to rap and “throw them out in the street” so to speak. So I started Smile Back Records, initially as an outlet for kids to express themselves but of course has grown into so much more.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. My partner and I have run this business, essentially not knowing how to run a business, and with little to no financial stability. We have learned how to do various tasks that would normally require a college degree. On top of that, we have to deal with people who don’t take us seriously or aren’t patient with us in an industry that definitely requires it! We also have our own personal issues of course.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Like it was stated, we provide 100% clean and positive content, no cursing and nothing derogatory. We offer emcee services, as well as performing at and hosting events. We provide music education services, teaching kids how to rap and we offer artist development services. We also offer recording services. We’ve been told that people love our content just because it’s different.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Smile Back Records just recently branched out into Schenectady, New York.
Pricing:
- Music Education Services – $30
- Recording Services- $25
- Artist Development Services – $30
- Emcee/Hosting/Performances – $150-$300(or we will work with your budget)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smilebackrecordsllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Smile-Back-Records
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@smilebackrecords
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-172256161
- Other: https://linkfly.to/smilebackrecords
