Smartzee returns with LEGACY, an introspective, hard-earned body of work that dives deep into identity, resilience, and personal growth. Rooted in his Beninese heritage and shaped by years of experience navigating both the music industry and the corporate world, the album reflects a journey of purposeful evolution. Crafted over two years of reflection, LEGACY balances raw emotion with strategic insight, offering tracks like the gritty “Back Down” and the uplifting “Build Your Legacy” as powerful statements of authenticity and strength.
What inspired the title LEGACY—was it a reflection of your journey from Benin to the European charts, or something deeper about your personal evolution?
LEGACY is much more than a title; it’s a statement of intention. Yes, it reflects the journey from Cotonou to the European charts, from studio sessions in Paris or in L.A. with legendary producers like Fredwreck to boardrooms in Zürich. But more than that, it’s about what I’m leaving behind, not just as an artist, but as a father, a man, and a believer in purpose. I wanted this project to be a reminder that you don’t just inherit legacy, you build it. Every verse, every beat, is a brick in that foundation.
How long did it take you to create this album from start to finish?
It took just over two years. The writing started during a time of deep reflection, partly triggered by the pandemic and partly by life transitions. I was balancing a demanding corporate role while quietly recording at night. It was a slow burn. I wasn’t in a rush; I wanted every line to be intentional, every sound to carry weight.
You’ve lived several artistic lives—from global hits with Nâdiya to writing for others. What themes or messages did you feel had to be in this project for it to feel true to who you are now?
This time around, the truth was non-negotiable. I needed to talk about resilience, identity, faith, fatherhood, and self-worth. I’ve experienced both the industry highs and the boardroom success, hard work, and politics. I’ve seen what ambition costs when it’s not grounded. So this album had to carry the message: You can be all things if you’re aligned and intentional.
Which track on LEGACY means the most to you personally, and why?
“Back Down” resonates with me on the deepest level. It’s where I brought together the different arenas of my life. Whether it was competing on the field, growing up in a tough neighborhood, or navigating high-stakes environments in the corporate world. I’ve lived each of those chapters, and what they all taught me is that you’ve got to show up, rise to the moment, and keep pushing, no matter the odds. That’s the heart of Back Down. It’s a reflection of my duality, gritty yet introspective, streetwise but strategic. It’s me, fully and unapologetically.
Did any songs go through major changes from demo to final version?
Absolutely. “Build Your Legacy” (the title track) started as a piano-driven ballad. It was emotional, almost too raw. But then I flipped it with a more rhythmic, soulful energy that could carry the weight of the lyrics without drowning in emotion. I wanted it to uplift, not just reflect.
What’s your typical songwriting process like?
I usually start with silence. I sit with a theme or a phrase for days before touching a beat. Then comes melody, often hummed into voice notes on long walks. Lyrics come last, once the emotion is fully formed. I’m not the type to write for the sake of writing. I write when there’s something burning inside.
What motivates you to keep making music after all these years?
Legacy, again. And therapy. Music is how I process the world. It’s how I speak when I can’t find the words in everyday life. Knowing that my kids will one day hear these songs and understand parts of me they never saw. That’s powerful. And if I can spark something in someone else along the way, that’s a blessing.
In “Back Down,” you compare surviving childhood in Benin to navigating the corporate world. How do those two worlds reflect in your writing style and delivery?
Both worlds taught me how to read the room and move with precision. Growing up in the inner cities of Europe, you learn resilience early; it’s about instinct. In the corporate world, it’s more strategic. That dual lens shows in how I write: there’s always a mix of raw urgency and measured reflection. I switch flows to match the energy of each truth I’m telling.
How did it feel to return to the mic after years of working behind the scenes? Was there any hesitation, or was this album always inevitable?
There was hesitation, definitely. I had buried the artist in me for a long time, focused on stability, family, and responsibility. But the voice never left. LEGACY was inevitable because silence was no longer an option. It was time to speak again, but with more clarity, more maturity, and more purpose.
What part of your Beninese identity or upbringing do you think lives strongest in this album?
The spirit. There’s a grit, a rhythm, a spirituality in the way we tell stories back home. That essence is woven through every song. Whether it’s in the cadence, the proverbs, or the emotional honesty, it’s all rooted in where I come from. My upbringing gave me my foundation, and this album is the house I built on it. I am absolutely thankful for my upbringing. The highs, the lows. I had the chance to come into a strong family: a mother like a rock, an inspiring father who started from nothing, and amazing brothers and sisters who still inspire me every day. I took all of it, found my truth in the madness through deep introspection, meditation, and spirituality, and I’m bringing this to my kids and people I meet on my way.
