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Artist On The Rise: What was the first song you ever wrote, and how did it come to life?

Smartzee: The first song I ever recorded was in a local neighborhood studio with my friends. Back then, we were just kids soaking up the hip-hop culture, inspired by the legends we looked up to. The lyrics? Classic ego trip—introducing myself, shouting out my city, repping my homeboys. It was raw, unpolished, and full of energy. That moment was the spark that made me realize music was more than just something I loved—it was something I had to do.
 
Artist On The Rise: Who or what would you say is the biggest influence on your music?

Smartzee: The golden era of hip-hop—the 80s and 90s—was everything to me. Back then, history lessons in school barely reflected who I was unless it was through a negative lens. But hip-hop? That was my real education. Public Enemy, Nas, Ice Cube, Tupac, and KRS-One weren’t just rappers; they were teachers, revolutionaries, and storytellers. They gave me pride, knowledge, and a sense of belonging. Their music showed me that hip-hop isn’t just entertainment—it’s empowerment, it’s legacy.
 
Artist On The Rise: How do you approach the songwriting process – do you start with lyrics or melody?

Smartzee: It depends on the moment. Sometimes, a beat hits me first, and it’s like the rhythm itself is speaking. Other times, it’s a phrase, a thought, or a personal experience that sparks the lyrics. Early on, I used to mimic my favorite rappers, but as I grew, my music became more personal. Now, every song is a chapter of my life—raw, real, and unapologetically me.
 
Artist On The Rise: What’s one thing you’ve learned about the music industry so far that surprised you?

Smartzee: The biggest surprise? Talent alone isn’t enough. You can be the most gifted artist in the room, but without the right mindset, connections, and business sense, you’ll struggle. The industry is a machine—it rewards consistency, strategy, and perseverance just as much as it does creativity.
 
Artist On The Rise: How do you stay authentic while navigating the pressures of the music business?

Smartzee: The company you keep is everything. Early on, I had people around me who didn’t share my vision, and I learned the hard way how that can throw you off course. Now, I make sure to surround myself with people who share my values—people who push me to be better, stay real, and never compromise my integrity.
 
Artist On The Rise: Can you describe a moment when you felt like you were truly starting to break through as an artist?

Smartzee: When the record label dropped “Et C’est Parti”—a song by French artist Nâdiya, featuring me—the response was insane. The track blew up, and suddenly, I was getting recognized in the streets. People I had never met were turning their heads, giving me nods, showing love. That was the first time I felt the power of music on a bigger scale. It was a glimpse of what was possible.
 
Artist On The Rise: Is there a particular message or theme you hope to convey with your music?

Smartzee: Absolutely. LEGACY, my new album, is my most personal work yet. It’s about growth—about surviving struggles, embracing victories, and becoming the best version of yourself. I talk about navigating the streets, learning from mistakes, and evolving through experience. At its core, it’s about leaving something behind—whether that’s wisdom, resilience, or inspiration for the next generation.
 
Artist On The Rise: What’s your favorite song that you’ve written, and why does it hold that place for you?

Smartzee:“All of Me” from LEGACY is hands down the most personal song I’ve ever written. It’s dedicated to my kids. It’s my way of giving them something real—something they can hold onto long after I’m gone. Every lyric comes from the deepest part of me, and that makes it special.
 
Artist On The Rise: How do you handle creative blocks or periods when inspiration feels low?

Smartzee: Creativity comes in two ways. Sometimes, it’s a patchwork of things we’ve seen, heard, and felt—a subconscious remix of our experiences. Other times, it’s a pure, unfiltered connection with something deeper. When I hit a block, I don’t force it. I step away, breathe, and live a little. Inspiration is everywhere—you just have to be patient enough to let it find you.
 
Artist On The Rise: If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
 
Smartzee: India.Arie. Her music is pure soul—honest, healing, and deeply meaningful. She has a way of making you feel every word, and that’s the kind of energy I connect with. A collaboration with her would be legendary.
 

Marla Lewis might not be a name that everyone immediately recognizes, but she has spent years building a remarkable career that has earned her a loyal global fan base, countless streams, and even a Grammy Award for Best Children’s CD. Today, Music-News had the chance to talk with Marla about her new single “Kill The Lights,” a smooth, feel-good jazz track that captures the magic of walking through New York City in winter with a warm smile on your face.




Tell us about Marla Lewis?
Born in New Jersey, wrote my first song at the tender age of 12 called “Hopeless Love” (LOL). From the time I could talk, music has always been my closest friend. I sang and played guitar in clubs, got disenchanted, went back to school for my Masters, and became an English as a Second Language teacher in a Harlem elementary school for 23 years. That’s when I started writing songs for kids, to help them learn English. I released two children’s albums, WE ALL LAUGH IN THE SAME LANGUAGE and I LOVE TO TALK TO PLANTS. One tune from PLANTS, called “Leap of Faith,” appears on a Grammy-winning Children’s CD called ALL ABOUT BULLIES... BIG AND SMALL, with my incredible friend and producer, Bob Stander.

Who are some of your musical influences? What else inspires you?
Ella Fitzgerald, the Beatles, Michael Franks, Phoebe Snow, Carole King, to name a few. My mom aspired to be a jazz singer, so we had lots of Big Band music playing in the house. Besides music, the rhythm of conversation inspires me.

Congrats on the release of “Kill the Lights”! We love it. What’s the story behind the song?
Thanks so much! Bob (my producer) said to me, “We need another R&B flavored song with a catchy chorus.” So, I played around with a new idea about love on the rebound. I wrote the lyrics first, a very rough draft, and put music to it - that’s how songs usually evolve for me. I was really “in the zone” when I was working on this one, fiddling around with it until it felt complete. The song went through many incarnations before I got the “actors in a play” metaphor right. I don’t think it’s autobiographical – unless it’s about an affair that I’ve totally forgotten about!

Who is one artist you’d love to tour with?
Nora Jones! Oh, yes!

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not doing music?
Walking the dogs, hanging out with friends, watching a great TV series.

What's the 2022 plans for your musical journey?
I want to continue live streaming - it’s fun! My show is called “Marla in La La Land.” You can tune in every Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM Eastern. I already have enough songs for my next smooth jazz album, and I’m calling it, “Livin’ the Dream.” The songs are very socially conscious – I can’t write in a bubble any longer, with what’s going on in the world. I hope to record and release that album in 2022. And perhaps, I’ll muster the courage to do live shows!

How can our readers find you online?
Lots of places! First, my website: www.marlalewis.com
My Facebook group: MarlaTheMuse
My YouTube channels: Smooth Jazz I Children’s

Twitch I LinkedIn I Twitter I Instagram I Spotify I Apple Music
 
CONTINUE READING

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