BIO

Born Rodriquez Smith, at 19 years old, he’s young, business-savvy, and street smart, these are only a few words that describe the rap game’s next phenomenon, Young Capone. His life reads like a compelling novel about a young man struggling to survive, spending half his youth under the guidance of his grandmother and the remaining half being raised by the streets. Atlanta-born and bred reigning from the infamous Southside all the way to Decatur , this promising athlete enjoyed football and attending school until problems at home and street temptations led him astray.

Instead of spending time in class, he was either on the block or in the studio, learning as much as he could about the music business. Once he was able to navigate his way around the sound boards, he began recording. Initially, his songs were just unformatted freestyles over tracks but, as time progressed, Capone began to see his potential and how much the street life didn’t have to offer him.

Therefore, he studied the art of making music by observing a local producer and upcoming artist. He then used money he’d made from his days as a hustler to fund his own label, Money & Power Gangstas (MPG) and he rented some recording equipment, this is when he began making formatted songs. Since giving up the street life, there was no continual flow of income, so his finances were quickly dissolved and the equipment was repossessed. However, Capone was able to retrieve one instrumental before the equipment was removed.

All he owned was a song idea that had the makings of a hit but, with no recording capability, he called on childhood friend and artist, T-Rock, to help him find a studio to track his idea. He introduced Capone to Taylor Boy, who had a professional recording studio. In exchange for studio time, Capone offered him an opportunity to be featured on the song and to show his gratitude to T-Rock he gave him a cameo appearance on the song as well.

With the CD single of “ I’m Hot,” in tow, Young Capone approached local show promoters, Wallo and Lil Lowe, asking them to help distribute his record to mixtape DJ’s. Armed with street-credible lyrics, local popularity, and high-energy performances at sold-out clubs, Capone caught the attention of So So Def producer, Nitti, who was so impressed with Capone’s record that he immediately signed him to his production company, Playmaker Music. Since Nitti has played “I’m Hot” for music mogul, Jermaine Dupri, he too, is excited about working with this new artist.

Although Capone’s life has been filled with many hardships, he is dedicated to change his situation and confident that his musical talent will be the vehicle that drives him into the speakers of hip-hop music lovers around the world. Young Capone will become a household name that everyone will recognize through his heavy radio airplay, sold-out arena concerts, acting on the big screen, and his entrepreneurial ventures.

Young Capone is a star, which isn’t hard to tell by his confident swagger, his single “I’m Hot,” and the die-hard fans he and his MPG crew already have. Capone vows to live his life reaching for the top because the bottom is just too crowded.

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