Smokey Mo is one of the brightest stars of Russian rap. In addition to the fact that there are hundreds of musical compositions behind the rapper, the young man also succeeded as a producer.
The artist managed to do the impossible. He combined deep literary and artistic turns, sound and idea into one whole.
Childhood and youth Smokey Mo
The future rap star was born on September 10, 1982 in the southwest of St. Petersburg. The real name of the singer sounds like Alexander Tsikhov. From childhood, Alexander's parents tried to diversify their son's pastime, so Sasha had two hobbies at once - martial arts and music.
Alexander Tsikhov admitted to reporters that if he hadn’t worked out with sports, he would have been happy to go in for sports. In addition, Sasha notes that in his school years he enthusiastically read Russian and foreign literature. Perhaps, thanks to such a love for literature, he laid out in his works at 100%.
At the age of 10, Alexander's family moved to Kupchino. It was this area that influenced the formation of Sasha. Here, Smokey Mo first began to fully show his musical inclinations.
Tsikhov was often asked about his parents. Many accused him of having achieved success through the material support of mom and dad. However, Alexander himself in every possible way refutes these rumors. He grew up and was brought up in an absolutely ordinary working-class family. Tsikhov admits that he pays tribute to his parents for a good upbringing and for the fact that they instilled in him a love of life.
As a teenager, Alexander managed to get into a massive rap concert, the then popular Tree of Life group. Sasha's good friends were involved in the organization of the concert. After this concert, Alexander caught himself thinking that he himself did not mind promoting himself as a rap artist.
At that time, many teenagers were into rap. But Alexander Tsikhov decided to go further. He began to write poetry and perform them. He recorded his first works using a voice recorder, which was installed in his music center. Smokey Moe later said that it was these childhood activities that pushed him to expand his horizons in music.
Alexander said that at school he was attracted by only two subjects - physical education and literature. Somehow he receives a diploma of graduation from school, and enters a higher educational institution of culture and arts. Tsikhov really enjoyed getting an education at the university. After all, in fact, he was engaged in the study of favorite subjects. Sasha received a diploma in the specialty "manager-producer of show business."
The idea of creating a musical group did not leave Alexander. Soon he will gather a group of like-minded people and create a group, which he will name Smoke. In addition to Tsikhov himself, the group included two more people, Vika and Dan.
The guys began to create as part of the presented musical group. The guys recorded several tracks together, later published in the collection “New Names of St. Petersburg Rap. Issue No. 6 ”, and also held a number of joint performances.
It was after one of his performances that a black cat ran between the guys. Young and ambitious performers saw songs differently. Soon, the Smoke group broke up altogether.
Tsikhov has not yet thought about a solo career. After the collapse of his first group, he forms a second. The second group was called Wind in the head. It was formed in 1999. Immediately after the birth of the musical group, the guys will present their debut and last album "Señorita".
The next group of Tsikhov was named Dynasty Di. It was under her auspices that the rapper performed at the Rap Music festival in 2001. But it was then that Alexander began to think about how to perform rap, but already solo. A little more time will pass and rap fans will get acquainted with a new star - Smokey Mo.
Music and solo career Smokey Mo
Professionally, Sasha took up music after meeting Fuze and Marat, guys from the Kitchen Records association. He is grateful to the leader of the Kasta group - Vladi for this acquaintance. The guys suggested Smokey Mo in which direction he should move in order to achieve some success in rap.
Marat picked up the optimal musical equipment for recording tracks at home. Thanks to the support of colleagues, Smokey Mo releases as many as 4 albums in a short period of time.
The first disc "Kara-Te" was released on March 19, 2004 with the support of the Respect Production label. Rap fans and music critics warmly accepted the work of the young rapper. In particular, music critics predicted a great musical future for Alexander. And we have to admit, they were not mistaken.
In 2006, Alexander released his second studio album, called "Planet 46". There were a lot of collaborative tracks on this record. Smokey Mo managed to collaborate with such rappers as Decl, Crip-a-Creep, Mr. Small, Gunmakaz, Maestro A-Sid.
For three whole years, fans have been waiting for some news from Smokey Mo. At the same time, the rapper presented the track "Game in Real Life", which he recorded together with MC Molody and Dj Nick One. The presented composition became a real hit. These are not just big words. The number of downloads in iTunes just rolled over.
After some time, Smokey Mo presents his album "Out of the Dark". This album contains depressive songs. Despite the fact that fans of the rapper's work were waiting for this album, the album's rating is very low. Smokey Mo becomes depressed. The rapper will talk about his condition in his next album. In the meantime, he is experiencing his own internal contradictions. Alexander admitted to reporters that after the failure he had thoughts about how to finish with music.
In 2011, Smokey Mo presents his fourth studio album Tiger Time. The record, or rather those tracks that were included in its composition, had a powerful energy. A successful play on words, on which Smokey Mo made a bet, prevailed over the audience's sympathy.
Listeners appreciated this approach of the rapper, praising his efforts. Smokey Mo was on top again. In addition, fans noted the fact that the fewer feats with other artists in the album, the more successful it is.
Since 2011, Smokey Mo has been cooperating with Gazgolder, which is managed by Basta (Vasily Vakulenko). For Tsikhov himself, this was a very responsible step. He decided for a long time whether or not to become a part of the Gas Holder. However, judging by the rating of the singer, it was the right decision. Sasha managed to conquer new horizons and significantly expand the audience of his fans.
Cooperation with "Gazgolder" made it possible to light up on one of the major federal channels in Russia. In addition, the rapper was seen in collaboration with Triagrutrika, performing "To Work", and then in "Evening Urgant" with Glucose, performing "Butterflies". Smokey Mo also presented another album, which he named "Junior". This album was recorded this time in a fully professional recording studio.
Basta persuaded Smokey Mo to re-record the previously recorded albums. So, his fans could hear the album “Kara-Te. 10 years later" in a completely new format. Old tracks got a new sound, and also got guest verses.
Another year will pass and Smokey Mo, together with the rapper and part-time with his friend Basta, will present the album "Basta / Smokey Mo". The most juicy tracks of this disc were "Stone Flowers" with Elena Vaenga, "Ice" with Scryptonite, "Live with dignity", "Vera" and "Slumdog Millionaire".
Smokey Mo now
In 2017, the rapper will present another album, Day Three. In the same year, along with Kizaru, a representative of the new school of rap, Smokey Mo released the musical composition Just do it.
In 2018, the presentation of the album took place - "Day One". For Smokey Mo, this is the first full-fledged solo album. The rapper recorded all 15 works solo, for which he received thousands of positive responses from rap fans.
Fans left laudatory reviews regarding the quality of Smokey Mo's work. The main thing, according to Smokey Mo fans, is that over the long career of a singer, he has not lost his individual taste.
In 2019, Smokey Mo shares another album with fans. The record was called "White Blues". For almost 40 minutes, music lovers can enjoy the quality tracks of the White Blues album.
