Troy Mitchell has been going by the name of Smack since he was thirteen years old. He recently released the SMACK: The Album: Volume 1 CD & DVD. He first came up with the concept in November 2002 and since then he’s released several titles in the SMACK DVD MAGAZINE series. “I was trying to fill a void that wasn’t out there for a lot of hip-hop artists. I wanted to give up and coming artists that weren’t getting on BET or MTV a chance to show their visuals to the world,” Smack explains.

Smack has always envisioned his idea taking off to where it is today. This is just one of the ways he feels like he’s giving back to hip-hop. Smack states, “Sometimes if they don’t have a project coming out, even the more established hip-hop artists might not get the exposure I feel they deserve. For example, somebody like Method (Man). Everybody loves Method, but he doesn’t have a project out there now. I want to keep the hip-hop artists in front of the people in between projects.”

SMACK: The Album: Volume 1 CD & DVD Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames. COLOR: white; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"> was released on June 6^th and features up and coming rappers and more established rappers such as  DMX, Juvenile, Bun B, Young Jeezy, BG, Mike Jones, Paul Wall, etc. “I’ve been working on this one for about nine months. It’s a well put together project,” says Smack.

Although Smack now has some financial support from Koch Records, it hasn’t always been that way. Smack states, “I started off 100 percent independent. I pawned my jewelry, sold my car and worked two jobs to get it off the ground.” 

Smack has seen his dream become a reality. Not only can you find his latest contribution in the mom & pop stores, but he’s gone nation wide. “We now have national distribution, so you can find the CD & DVD at all the major chains like Best Buy, Circuit City, and others,” Smack states.

Smack contributes his success to the pioneers of rap, like Run DMC, Big Daddy Kane and others. “They gave me the inspiration to do what I’m doing,” says Smack.

To find out more about the Smack franchise, visit the website at www.smackdvdonline.com.

Interview by Shelia M. Goss, entertainment writer and the national bestselling author of My Invisible Husband and Roses are thorns, Violets are True. Her website is www.sheliagoss.com.