When Smartzee first broke into the French music scene, it was as a sharp-featured voice alongside Nâdiya, riding high on hits like “Et c’est parti” and “Tous ces mots.” Those singles stayed in the charts for weeks, marking him as an artist to watch. But as is often the case, early fame doesn’t guarantee longevity or creative satisfaction. With his new album LEGACY, Smartzee is staking his claim to a mature, honest voice in hip-hop, one that refuses to bow to trends or chase fleeting clout.
LEGACY feels like the product of a man who has lived through the highs and lows of the music industry and emerged with his values intact. Smartzee describes the album as hip-hop from a “grown man’s perspective,” and that’s immediately clear in the tone and content. The beats don’t pander to the latest viral sound; instead, they are carefully chosen to feel timeless, serving as the sturdy foundation for lyrics that are raw, reflective, and often deeply personal.
Tracks like “One in a Million” and “Walk This Way” delve into the collisions between time, failure, and the constant struggle to reinvent oneself. “Back Down,” produced by Rujay, stands out as a gritty anthem of perseverance, drawing a vivid comparison between Smartzee’s tough upbringing and the cutthroat corporate world he now navigates. It’s a track that hits hard because it’s honest — the kind of anthem that speaks to anyone grinding against the odds.
What sets LEGACY apart is Smartzee’s refusal to sanitize his story for commercial consumption. When asked about the album’s inception, he says, “LEGACY was born from a moment of reflection… No image to protect, no industry games. Just the raw truth.” This is a man who wants his children — and the world — to understand his story, not through a filtered lens but in its full complexity.
The album’s centerpiece, “Build Your Legacy,” is a mission statement wrapped in a love letter to Smartzee’s African roots and the work ethic that drives him. Collaborating with Ghanaian artist Avino, Smartzee found the perfect closing track that encapsulates the album’s themes: self-respect, hard work, and the imperative to create something that lasts beyond fleeting fame.
Smartzee also brings in collaborators like Blayne, Lorena G., Lee M., and Michelle Hansson — artists he respects for their authenticity rather than their name recognition. Their contributions don’t feel like simple features but soulful extensions of Smartzee’s vision, adding layers to an album rooted in sincerity.
Visually, fans can expect “Uptown” to embody the energy of a street-smart rise into a new world — dynamic, alive, and full of ambition. Meanwhile, “All of Me” promises intimacy and emotional depth, dedicated to Smartzee’s kids and perhaps the most personal track on the record.
Ultimately, LEGACY is Smartzee’s declaration that his story, told without compromise, is one worth hearing. It’s an album built on truth, persistence, and a desire to inspire beyond the music itself. For those tired of gimmicks and surface-level narratives, LEGACY offers something deeper — a hip-hop record that respects the art and the artist behind it.
