Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lil Smizzy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Lil Smizzy, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Growing up, I was always very observant of what everyone had going on around them. So ultimately, my motivation came from witnessing other people’s downfalls or tough moments, then envisioning how I would rise up from that same or similar setback. I learned early on that sometimes you need to fail to succeed and sacrifice to get to your success.
I’m resilient because I believe that if you’re not learning from your failures, then you’re losing. You’re losing the opportunity to bounce back even better and stronger, simply based off of what you learned from failing. I didn’t have anyone to pick me up and hand me the things that I desired so I had to learn how to get them myself.
That’s why I always say, I don’t believe in losses, I believe in lessons. You can’t go back in time so make the best out of what you have now and move forward.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Lil Smizzy is not just an artist, he is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of record label, No Mercy Empire. His passion and dedication for music has always been natural, being around musical figures since a young child. Smizzy has always been inspired by the beauty of the lessons in his own story, the lessons learned from his peers, and a relentless belief in the power of perspective. His philosophy is a hybrid of being laser focused while keeping an open-mind to all outcomes, making him a master of artist development.
The studio is where Smizzy is most at home, and has found satisfaction in assisting other artists in making their dreams a reality. He specializes in shaping talent with a direct, no-nonsense communication style. Lil Smizzy’s mission is clear: to propel No Mercy Empire into a globally recognized brand. He’s building more than a label; he’s building a movement. And he’s doing it with the same authenticity and drive that shaped him from day one.
Loyalty and respect are two of the most important qualities to Lil Smizzy. He believes in hard work, teamwork, and lifting up those around him. Fun fact: Smizzy’s name is a nod to his older brother—No Mercy Empire’s Chief Operations Officer, King AJ–emphasizing his respect and loyalty for his family.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Qualities:
Loyalty
Respect
“No Kizzy in Smizzy” a.k.a standing true to your words.
My advice to anyone watching me or looking up to me is to always possess and require those three qualities when interacting with people.
Loyalty, I feel like it’s basic requirement. We should all want to be loyal to those that we love and have around us in the same way that we want them to be loyal to us.
Needless to say, respect is not even a question. Whether you know someone personally or not, we should all respect one another, even when our perspectives are different. That’s what makes us human.
No Kizzy in Smizzy is my slogan. I live by it and what that means is, you won’t catch me out here capping for the likes of others. In the same way that you won’t catch me saying things out of my mouth that I do not believe in or stand on. That is the ‘No Kizzy in Smizzy’ mentality. I stand by my word and I expect those around me to do the same.
Advice:
My advice early on, especially as someone who wants to be an artist or in the entertainment industry, is to figure out who you are and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Be open to different opportunities, but do not forget to make sure that those opportunities truly embody who you are. The most authentic way to sell, promote or get people to listen in general, is to be yourself.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
There are so many people that I’m beyond grateful for throughout this journey of creating and growing No Mercy Empire.
First and foremost, my COO and brother, King AJ. He’s the one who instilled resiliency into my brain. He never allowed me to quit when things got too hard or uncomfortable. He’s always pushed me to be better and strive for the best, even till this very day.
Next, the artists of No Mercy Empire: DM Baby, 223 Kinji, and Jojo. Each of them have been a pillar of support for me at various points in time. They are the reasons why I continue to go as hard as I do for NME. I can’t let them down.
Lastly, my solid team at No Mercy Empire that keeps things running. Including my creative consultant, Dina Shontay and my photographer, Leo Gomez. Both of them have been an enormous help, especially with capturing the moments to help me tell my story. My Communications Manager, Vicky Marie, who handles everything NME from public relations to everyday business functions. She keeps everything on track for me, not only as Lil Smizzy the artists, but as CEO and Founder as well.
Without these people I don’t know where I would be. Each of them have served a significant purpose in my life and I will always be grateful for that!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nomercynews.blogspot.com/?m=1
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lil_smizzy?igsh=MXkwcmRuY3M2cHc0MQ==
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/fawSb7GxyM3mWFf9A
- Other: No Mercy Empire’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomercyempire?igsh=MWEwMGtnYWVpOWluZw==
Image Credits
Dina Shontay (tree and tunnel)
Leo Gomez (waterfall)
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
