Randy Tobbe
Detroit, MI (USA)
Role(s):
Founder/Owner/Principal
Hope Financial
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Startup
Location:
Detroit
Industry:
Real Estate
Year Founded:
2002
Number Employees:
1-10 people
Description:
BIO
Billy Smokes. The 6 foot 6 inch emcee who’s reppin’ the Renaissance Music Group/Dope Dayton Ave., could be easily mistaken for an athlete and in some ways he’s just that. But instead of killing em’ on the court he’s smoking em’ on the mic, leaving em’ breathless. Creeping from behind the beat like a panther comes a new sound. A delicious mixture of club bangers, storytelling and that street shit that originated in the youthful hip-hop of the South Bronx. You may wonder where he’s from cause his flavor leaves you guessing. One track can bump in the streets of Miami; another hits the heart of ATL, and still that basement grime from NYC. A blank page creates the platform for this emcee from Slaughter City. Don’t sleep! The Midwest has birthed a talent way beyond his years. So relax, fall back, open your ears and listen, cause Billy Smokes, 27, is here and he aint going nowhere.
Billy Smokes smooth demeanor and innocent smile may fool you but his fierce lyrics will leave you starving for more. With his first single “Showboat” off his debut album The Foundation, Billy Smokes draws you in with a beat that will have booties poppin’ and heads bobbin’ listening to what he’ll say next. The men will love this track while the females will want to shake that ass to prove they could "Showboat" too! And just when you think his skills can’t get any tighter he hits you with his second single “Crazy” featuring Shannon of the Bad Boy imprint. The song touches on a hood dilemma too often found, a fly girl has a man but she's got you going "Crazy" so you're spending dough on her even if you feel like you're being played.
Billy Smokes next mixtape Welcome to Slaughter City was sent to Sony where execs claimed he was “harder then damn near everyone in New York.” The label began sending him tracks and while Billy was experimenting with new sounds the label preferred the tracks off the mixtape. Hitting another dead end still didn’t stop Billy, whose sounds were now being well received in other cities like Chicago. But it wasn’t until earlier this year when Billy was the opening act for a boxing match in Michigan where Mary Jo Sanders, the boxing commissioner of Michigan introduced him to Mark Darnell and Brian Duby, two entrepreneurs looking to start their own hip-hop label. Backed by the power entertainment attorney, Howard Hertz, a contract was drawn for a joint venture between Renaissance Music Group/Dope Dayton Ave.
While Billy Smokes was getting the thumbs up from the major labels, he felt it best to go independent and release his first indie album Hustler's Choice under that joint venture. “I want the kids to know to catch your dream, look past the ghetto and see the big picture,” says Billy. With influences from the likes of Jay-Z, Tupac, Biggie Smalls, Twista, Lil’ Wayne, Jadakiss, T.I. and Bun B, to name a few, Billy is focused and knows exactly what path he needs to take. Billy Smokes has laid the blueprint for Midwest rappers and the recognition of a new label.