Born in Michigan, but raised on the east coast until his mother moved the family to the west coast, Derrick Smith found himself jammed in the middle of the late 90's during the east vs. west beef. Because of his sister, he started playing guitar while recovering from a jaw injury. “She had been gifted one and I thought it looked cool so I asked her if I could play the Am chord and fell in love.

"I write most of my songs in G major key which naturally has an Am conveniently one whole step away.”

Derrick started to listen to bands for the first time once he became a guitarist in training which opened up a whole new world for him since he listened to only hip hop and R&B throughout high school and college.

Deep down, though, he wanted to learn how popular guitar players play the instrument. He soon fell in love with the music of Dev Hynes, especially his live recorded performances, and decided soon after that he wanted to be a musician and started gigging out in his early-mid 20's. Inspired by his love of music, LOVE, the creator GOD and nature, Derrick Smith aka Studded Leather, an artist name he branded himself with, is still on the path of writing his life out in musical stories that show all the sides of his life experience so keep your eyes and ears open for his songs and music that will paint your life with goodness.

soundcloud.com/damn-de

IG @studdedleathermusic