We lean into “The Paint Is Still Wet” as a metaphor for being kids under construction, where progress is real even when the process is messy. We also talk music takes, creative expression, and the DIY work we do to keep our space and our sound moving forward. 
• being under construction and choosing progress over perfection 
• why building anything gets messy before it gets better 
• thoughts on Jack Harlow, viral comments, and culture lines 
• appreciation vs appropriation and how listeners hear intent 
• why Tone Stith’s “Fly” resonates across generations 
• vocal taste, spacing, and storytelling beyond riffs 
• painting the room for better feng shui and creative flow 
• building removable studio panels, magnets, and learning as we go 
• taking feedback, growing thick skin, and serving the right audience 

Comment, tag the brother or something, you share it if you will. That’s you can find me on Instagram at Smith Street Sound. SmithStreetSounds.com would be the website where you would check out all the episodes, the music, the blog, and anything else going on over here on Smith Street. Be sure to check out the playlist.  The Paint is still wet Playlist -  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1FwUawMyY3VCM5?si=1ff794585a25486a

Yore on Smith Street is a weekly culture and commentary podcast hosted by Smith Street. Blending current events, pop culture, and storytelling, each episode connects today’s headlines to the deeper narratives behind them — because every moment has a backstory.

https://www.smithstreetsounds.com/

Independent rapper LaRussell reportedly sold around 30,000 albums directly to fans, an impressive milestone for any independent artist. But when those numbers were submitted to Billboard, the sales reportedly didn’t qualify for the charts due to how the project was marketed.

In this episode, I talk about what this situation reveals about how music charts actually work, including the role of chart tracking by Luminate and the rules around incentivized album sales.

I also share a personal experience as a songwriter on the record “My Love” for R&B artist Shaliek Rivers during his time with Pendulum Records. Despite minimal promotion and internal industry friction, the song still managed to chart—largely because of the relationships behind the scenes.

From independent fan support to radio-driven chart placements, this episode explores the gap between industry recognition and real audience connection.

If fans are willing to show up and support the music, maybe that’s the metric that matters most.

30K Streelights Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1OFpaCqSxJn6jEzW1I8qIN?si=f80df32e6c814af2

Yore on Smith Street is a weekly culture and commentary podcast hosted by Smith Street. Blending current events, pop culture, and storytelling, each episode connects today’s headlines to the deeper narratives behind them — because every moment has a backstory.

https://www.smithstreetsounds.com/

We honor 100 years since Negro History Week began and trace how labels, laws, and headlines shape what we remember and what we hear. From the Neo-Soul naming debate to a high‑profile music lawsuit and a personal live-music high, we tie culture to care.

• origins of Black History Month and why it matters 
• how Neo Soul emerged from live, organic roots 
• the industry label debate and artist marketing 
• Miley Cyrus Flowers lawsuit context and stakes 
• media moments with The Breakfast Club and accountability 
• global tension after Operation Epic Fury and human impact 
• first‑quarter wins and the joy of live performance 
• spotlight on Aaron Marcellus and recommended sets 
• a curated playlist linking themes and artists

Check out Aaron Marcellus’ new music and the YouTube sets we mention, then find the episode playlist to explore every song we reference

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6vS1CpFIQC3w6VFxot3EWZ?si=6cf953384a5a481c

Yore on Smith Street is a weekly culture and commentary podcast hosted by Smith Street. Blending current events, pop culture, and storytelling, each episode connects today’s headlines to the deeper narratives behind them — because every moment has a backstory.

https://www.smithstreetsounds.com/

[00:00 – 02:00] Welcome & Intention

1.    Launching the first professional episode

·       Why independence matters

·       Releasing during Black History Month

·       Building without a middleman

[02:00 – 06:00] Gatekeeping & Power Dynamics

·       Revisiting America's Next Top Model as an adult

·       Mentorship vs. control

·       Power imbalance in entertainment

·       The shift from traditional gatekeepers to social media access

Key question:
 Are gatekeepers necessary, or are they becoming obsolete?
 [06:00 – 10:00] First Jobs & Foundations

·       Hearing about Wendy’s closing locations

·       First W-2 job at 18

·       Moving neighborhoods and adapting

·       Lessons in discipline and structure

·       How early work shaped creative independence

[10:00 – 13:00] Building the Studio

·       DIY renovation updates

·       Measurement mistakes

·       Buying the wrong magnets

·       Fixing errors instead of quitting

Metaphor:
 Creative ownership means solving your own problems.
 [13:00 – 15:00] Closing Thoughts

·       Independence vs. permission

·       Doing things your way

·       Commitment to consistency

What’s coming next

🔥 Key Themes

·       Independence over permission

·       Mentorship vs. manipulation

·       Gatekeepers in the digital age

·       Early work shaping the discipline

·       Mistakes as part of the build

💬 Join the Conversation

Has social media actually freed creatives — or just made everyone louder?

Share your thoughts and tag the show.

Yore on Smith Street is a weekly culture and commentary podcast hosted by Smith Street. Blending current events, pop culture, and storytelling, each episode connects today’s headlines to the deeper narratives behind them — because every moment has a backstory.

https://www.smithstreetsounds.com/