DJ Graffiti aka Martin Smith is a Michigan MC from Ann Arbor. He calls himself �the underground mixtape king of Michigan�.
Martin Smith grew up in Oak Park and West Bloomfield. He graduated at Bloomfield High School in 1996.
His nickname �DJ Graffiti� comes from the lyrics he wrote. About his own lyrics, he says: �I spray mentals like lyrical graffiti.�
He is certainly a perfectionnist, who is known for his quality mixtapes:
�My goal is to create projects that sound better, look more professional and reach farther than those currently available. It�s not about competition, but I know that if my focus is always on bringing something improved to the table, I won�t be taking steps backwards.�
DJ Graffiti attented the business school at Michigan University. He wants to be a positive influence for the hip hop community. Djing is his real passion: �I enjoy mixtapes and I do a lot of different things. My passion is the Djing, that�s my love.�
Groups from Detroit like Slum Village and DJ Butter have collaborated with DJ Graffiti who has also performed as a jazz percussionist in the Montreaux Detroit jazz Festival.
Also very active at the campus events, he used to be a DJ there: �I started Djing my first year in College. You din�t have events going on in West Bloomfield. As soon as I got turntables, I was off and runnning.�
He also used to make some guest appearences at the hip hop show on the campus radio station WCBN-FM (88.3).
In 2004, DJ Graffiti has released his tape �Bling Free, Vol.3�.
There is a message in DJ Graffiti�s �Bling Free� series. DJ Graffiti envisions a hip hop community that would be self sufficient:
�Right now, most of the major influences on the Hip Hop generation are fed corporately from the outside. Ultimately, I envision a Hip Hop community that is extremely self-sufficient. We will have a united front of individuals who were born into Hip Hop culture � Hip Hop lawyers, Hip Hop doctors, Hip Hop teachers and Hip Hop owners all working together. I feel all of the different things I do are necessary for moving the current state of Hip Hop toward a point where it is Bling Free. That’s where it shines on its own.”
You will discover more about the artist on his official website:
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