Baton Rouge’s local music scene offers many bands for people to enjoy, but rappers are also an important element. Former University student Joshua Henderson, also known as _thesmoothcat, is definitely one to watch.
His chosen name, _thesmoothcat, can be traced back to Henderson’s childhood. He spent a lot of time in the high-end shoe store his father managed and said the smooth jazz playing from the speakers left a profound impact on him and ultimately helped form his rap style.
He first considered music as a career on an eighth grade field trip to Washington, D.C., where his good friend Julian asked if he thought they could be rappers.
Julian referenced Lupe Fiasco and stated that if he could do it, they could, too. Even though this was said jokingly, the duo began to keep a notebook full of their written raps and would recite them at lunchtime to other classmates. Henderson points to this as the start of it all.
“Luckily it wasn’t until two years ago that I dropped anything because everything before that would’ve been so garbage,” Henderson said. “It takes time to develop.”
Only recently did he actually record his first song. He describes his process as mainly writing lyrics, regardless of beats or instrumentals.
Henderson considers his biggest influences to be Lupe Fiasco during his “Food & Liquor” era, Jay-Z’s “Reasonable Doubt,” Curren$y’s work ethic and Wu-Tang Clan member RZA’s beats and production quality.
“I feel like somewhere down the line, I can’t really pick it out or notice it, but Kid Cudi’s in my music somewhere too,” Henderson said.
Writing all of his own raps, Henderson said he reaches out to producers he has met over the years and friends for some of his beats.
“I bought my own drum machine about a year ago to start making my own,” he said. “I’m not perfect at it; I still have to get better with mixing and mastering.”
When he first started out, he recalls using beats he found on the internet, only to have them later taken down for copyright issues. Henderson realized this wasn’t a good option, and that he had better resources he could use for beats and instrumentals to accompany his raps.
As for producing and recording the finished product, Henderson said he does some himself but often employs the help of friends to mix and master.
“Now, it’s all about the best quality,” Henderson said of the more than 30 songs he has completed. He hasn’t recorded everything, but many tracks can be found on his SoundCloud page or Band Camp (@_thesmoothcat). Balancing work, school and other side projects, Henderson still finds time to always be working on some new music.
One day over winter break, Henderson said he found a beat and wrote a whole rap to it in an hour. He recorded it right after but said he felt that something was missing.
He asked a friend with talented vocals to come over and sing on the track, “On the Dash Pt. 2.” All in one day, he wrote, rapped, recorded, mixed and produced his favorite song to date.
“It was so spur of the moment. I really surprised myself and I like the way it comes together,” he said. “For doing the whole thing in a day, I feel like it’s really put together.”
_thesmoothcat has performed at house parties as well as some venues around town, like Barcadia, the Culture Reggae Club and the Varsity Theatre. He opened for local bands Hydra Plane and Ship of Fools at the Varsity, which was Henderson’s biggest show to date.
His favorite show, however, was at The Howlin’ Wolf in New Orleans. In the middle of his show, he messed up the lyrics, only for the crowd to help him out and sing them instead.
“It made me think, ‘Damn, they really know the lyrics,’ and it made me want to do more and make more music,” he said. “It uplifted me and brought me back where I needed to be and I just finished the song. It was a really good feeling.”
His velvety raps induce an effortless hip hop feel to his music that is enjoyable to hear. Henderson explained that he tries to go for songs with meaning and hopes to make a statement with each track.
“Even if the hook is stupid and catchy, I’m gonna make sure [I] put something with meaning in the verse,” Henderson said. “My main goal at the end of the day is to make songs that can help someone or that people can relate to.”
Henderson doesn’t limit himself to just his own music. He collaborates with other local artists, like Hydra Plane, and is learning how to better play guitar. Henderson is also apart of a clothing brand called Forever Dumb Clothing Company, where he gets to put his graphic design skills to good use.
“In the future, I don’t see myself just making rap,” Henderson said. “In 10 years, I might be making some soul or funk music, honestly. Once I get the resources and the know-how, I’ll be doing all of that.” Henderson said that while he wants to be remembered for his music, he also wants to make a difference.
One day I was just laying down wondering what I wanted to do with my life, thinking about what I could leave behind when I’m gone. And it just came to me. Music. I want to make an impact on at least one human being.” Henderson said. “I’m looking forward to producing that feeling.”
_thesmoothcat is definitely one rapper to keep an eye on. He knows how to put on a good show,and relates to the audience with his smooth raps and almost tranquil stage presence.
Josh Henderson (_thesmoothcat) pumps up the crowd with his opening set during the KLSU College Radio Day celebration on Friday Nov. 4, 2016 at Barcadia on Highland Road just off of campus.
