Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ant Smart. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Ant thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

This is an amazing question. What my parents did right, would be instilling self confidence and serious work ethic. That confidence of hearing “you can do anything you put your mind to “ was something special. I believe it and still do. Knowing there’s no obstacle greater than my will to succeed is powerful. They made sure to be clear that, in order for these things to happen, you have to work, hard. Let your diligence and attention to detail be your calling card. Words I live by to this day. I love them to life & with my father passing away last month, those words of wisdom are something I hold close to my heart & replay daily

Ant , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Let’s start from the start. I’m from Burke County, GA. I love music, I always have. I credit my family for that. I remember Saturday mornings, waking up to my Mom grooving to Al Green and Anita Baker. My Pops loved the blues, B.B. King. My Brothers listened to everything from KRS 1 and Nas, to Outkast and Goodie Mobb to Jam Pony Express and D.J. Magic Mike. So just a wide range of sounds fueled my love and showed me there were so many ways to make music. Different forms for different messages or emotion. I originally wanted to be an RnB singer, but that path wasn’t really working for me. I loved Brian McKnight. I was like 12 singing “1 Last Cry” like my heart was broken in the backseat of the car. As a teenager in Burke County to make it, I’d have to be extraordinary or have extraordinary circumstances, I had neither. So, forward I moved. I put that energy into poetry. Until Timbaland and Magoo changed my life. When I heard “Up Jumps The Boogie” it blew my Mind. In a Major Way. Never heard anything like it. Add in Aaliyah and Missy, it activated something inside me. Me & my homie Mario had to listen to the song and instrumental 100 times in 2 days. writing, rewriting, working flows. It was a beautiful time. The hunger was born and it felt right, like this was something that God gave me. Use it or lose it. My bro Broadus introduced us to a producer named Big Boom. He gave us our 1st opportunity to record and hear ourselves on a cd. Released a compilation that has my 1st song ever released, ironically, named “The Interview”. I’m forever grateful for that. The response was fuel to a fire that was burning inside me to keep going. There was no turning back.

In this pursuit you have more life, more growth, and more experiences. Still making music, I have a project that will be released in August named “Casanova Brown”, but the vision and goals have expanded. I started the Productive Stoner Society. Named to change the stigma associated with smokers as well as serve as An umbrella company to house all my artistic and business endeavors while serving as a light in the community in any way we can. From handing out food, clothes and essentials to the natives that occupy our streets, to mentoring and being the battery in the backs of anyone we encounter to be great on purpose. I believe in tithing in the streets because that’s where it’s most effective, to me. Being able to be a blessing to someone is a blessing. Fills my heart. The goal is to continue to grow the company to have a larger impact to do the most good. I’ve also partnered with Toya Gibbons Woodard of Truly Amaezing to work on expanding the Productive Stoner Society apparel . She’s fire with her designs and created new logos for shirts, hats, and anything else you can think of. I’m a member of a collective known as Good Vibes Only with Kari Dione, Lingo Blue, J. Avery, & J’Da Prynce. We’re currently preparing for the 4th installation of our Love Letter Chronicles concert series.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The mission driving my creative journey is to spread positive energy. To be the light in the midst of darkness. In our world today, there’s so much negativity and negative energy, and I just wanna do what I can to shift that. That’s what drives the beats I choose, the songs I write, as well as the designs I create. The homie Brotha Trav called me The Happy Rapper, and I truly do my best to embody that. Smiling feels good.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest lesson I had to learn was to not be too humble with my gift. When you’re a naturally nice person, such as myself, who wants to see everyone win, people have a tendency to take your kindness as a weakness. They will underpay you and overwork you. There are numerous “showcases” or “artist appreciation events” I’ve been involved in where everybody got paid but the artists. You really have to understand your value and what you bring to a room or situation. A lot of times people will present opportunities in the form of great exposure or to build an audience, when budget is what should really be the base of the conversation. As an artist or business owner though, you have to set that expectation. Know your worth and add tax.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sites.google.com/view/productivestonersociety/home?authuser=0
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ismarthustle/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smarthustlemuzik/
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/I1qGGIE9nVM?t=45

Image Credits
Photos by Zyair Photography & Videography and Chambers Vision and Sound