Father's Day by Big Chief SMASH

This album is a long time in the making, seeing many changes in tone and style over roughly 10 years. Originally conceptualized as a narrative journey detailing my tribulations as an individual and a parent, I realized the project slowly took on a life of its own in the influences I pulled from in order to express myself. Eventually I came to realize this album is my thank you letter to all my paternal influences via music. I grew up without a father figure... but I always had Biz Markie, Nas, Slick Rick, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface, Melle Mel, Busta Rhymes, Rakim, 2Pac, KRS One, Biggie, Black Thought, Redman, Buckshot, Sean P, Rock, Grand Puba, Ras Kass, D.O.C, Dre, Xzibit and so many other's voices in my ears throughout my childhood and adolescence; internalizing them as parts of my subconscious, guiding me as disembodied mentors.

The album spans from the weighty and tragic, to the light and comical. Often times irreverent and shifting immediately to connect with the relatable pain of the listener... I wrote as honest and unwavering look into the folly and calamity of my own choices and misfortune while trying to balance the need to catch up to the artists I had deified as a kid.

To all the aforementioned MCs and many, many others...

And to the memories of my grandfather Hernando Reyes, my surrogate father Lamont Mayfield, my best friend Andrew Livingston, my best friend David Earl Elliot Jr. and David Earl Elliot Sr.
Happy Father's Day.

Bronx representative! Fat boi. Lover of all mothers and sisters... especially yours. Veteran of 3 original Star Wars.

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