WHO IS RASHAD? Music and Entertainment Critics alike are asking, "Who is Rashad?" In entertainment, it is recorded that no one man is an island unto himself. However, what other young R & B artist sings, dances, acts, writes, performs, arranges, composes, plays various instruments, and has produced two successful critical acclaim albums already by the age of 18. In his sophomore self-entitled quest, critics are pondering and want to know who is Rashad? The answer to the question lies in the below mentioned. This young Mississippi artist known as Rashad- no last name necessary- is the kind of singer talented enough to raise the stakes of the Hip Hop/ R&B game. This 19 year old possesses the depth and intelligence of a seasoned poetic singer who produces and performs all of his own material. While listening to his personal music, it gives the listener vibes to the fundamentals of R&B. His understanding of musical genres and urban pressures makes him one the south's top young lyricists ever to grace a mic. Gracing the mic now withstanding, he also models and acts. As a former gifted basketball player at Hattiesburg High School who was known as the "singing baler," lauded him more acclaim and fan following as Rashad was featured in the prestigious award winning Hattiesburg American Newspaper and other mediums. Edward Rashad Smith was born to Rev. Edward and Lucy Smith on January 5, 1988 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Representing since 1991, Rashad has put out for his city and beyond. No matter how you slice it, hype it, or package it, the bottom line in Hip Hop and R & B are beats and lyrics. However, Rashad doesn't fit that typical mold. He is a bonafide true artist and musical genius and he has the awards juxtapose accolades to prove it not mention sex appeal and a model body to kill for. Recently, he won both the Southeast and Southwest Mississippi High School Drama Festival "Best Supporting Actor" award in 2005, and named to the prestigious Mississippi Theatre Association "All Star Cast" three times for his acting, singing, and danced performance in the Hattiesburg High School play The Katrina Project: Hell and High Water, which is taking the nation by storm. Performing since the age of three, and professionally since the age of eight, Rashad has performed locally and nationally making a dent in the music business. Some of the artist he has graced the stage with are Rap artist David Banner, R & B crooner Keith Sweat, B2k, Omarion, Jesse McCartney, Bow Wow, and K.C. & Jo Jo, to name a few. Listening to the advice of Prince, " A true musical artist must know how to write, perform, and play his own music." Rashad can definitely play, perform, and write his own music, and is an artist to be recon with. Quote Rashad, "Music is in my blood and it is what makes, molds, and shapes me as an artist." Musically incline since the age of three as taught by his mother Lucy Holloway-Smith, a gifted artist in her own right, Rashad began performing on the drums, which later included piano, bass, violin, lead guitar, and keyboard. After discovering his musical talents via instruments, a burning passion inside was calling him to grace the mic with his singing. As Rashad began to sing in the local church and various talent shows, he knew then that his true calling was gracing the stage with his vocal ability despite his ability to play five different instruments fluently. Quotes Rashad, "I have a burning desire to express myself creatively whether singing, playing, acting, dancing, performing, and/ or producing for myself, or the general public. The rhymes of my experiences and the notes of my burning heart rejoice every time I am able to touch the hearts and musical ears of all kinds of people as I have done locally, in Mississippi, regionally, and nationally." Music, drama, modeling, and acting not withstanding, Rashad is ready to take his rightful place in the entertainment world, and soon everyone will know who is Rashad. Judging by his initial success as an R & B artist, actor, dancer, and producer, it is obvious that he is an advocate for making good music like Tank, Usher, The Under Dogs, and Prince. If Rashad's regionally success is any indication, it is undoubtedly that this Hattiesburg native will become a multi-dimensional and platinum selling artist who will have a long lasting career in the entertainment and music industry as a well-rounded, gifted, music prodigy on, behind, and off the stage.
