MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT TRENDSETTER MIKE SMITH
INTRODUCES NEW ONE-OF-A-KIND HIP HOP REALITY TV SERIES
“ONE SHOT”
Multi-Talented Producer, Songwriter, Vocalist & Instrumentalist Announces Series on BET
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 10, 2016) – 22 Records country recording artist, Mike Smith, has announced his alliance with BET (Black Entertainment Television) to introduce the nation’s first hip hop reality entertainment television series— “One Shot.” The one-of-a-kind competition will showcase contestants who will perform before a panel of celebrity judges for the ultimate shot at becoming hip hop’s next big star.
As executive producer, record label owner and main judge on the show, Smith has tapped MTV and Sirius XM personality, Sway, to join him in the endeavor. Sway will host the panel of hip hop veterans (including TI, DJ Khaled, RZA, Tech N9NE and Smith) in a nationwide quest to discover the next explosive emcee as a stage commander, must-see performer and hot new hit maker in the format.
The early live auditions were held in four major cities (Charlotte, Atlanta, Chicago and Miami) with more than 30,000 hopefuls registering to compete. Six candidates from each city have been narrowed down to compete as America’s “Best On-The-Mic” talent before the panel of judges [encompassing Smith, Kxng Crooked, King Tech, and the celebrity judge from each city (RZA/Charlotte, TI and DJ Drama/ Atlanta, Tech N9NE and Twista/Chicago and DJ Khaled in Miami)]. Finalists from each city will compete for a chance to win a grand prize of $100,000 and a recording contract. The winner will be selected based on artistic skill.
“One Shot’ stands apart from ‘The Voice’ and ‘American Idol’ in that it is the first nationally-televised competition specific to hip hop. We’re looking for the emcee to take charge of the music composition as a lyricist and engaging performer,” said show producer Mike Smith. “I’m sure folks are wondering what a country music singer is doing sitting alongside Kxng Crooked, King Tech, TI, DJ Khaled and RZA. I’ve written with a lot of these guys for a number of years. What I bring to the panel is songwriting knowledge and how to string lyrics and music composition together so that the rapper can easily jump in. We’re looking for a performer that has the natural talent to do just that and connect with mainstream America.”
The “One Shot” Rounds
In search of the next great emcee, “One Shot” producers and judges spent three days in each city.
Day One: Rappers performed in preliminary auditions before the Horseshoe Gang (the pre-judges in the first round).
Day Two: The top 50 selected for the second round performed in front of Mike Smith, Kxng Crooked and King Tech. The final six selected went into the studio to work with an artist mentor and write a song.
On Day Three, the final six performed his/her new song before a live audience, Sway, and the judges seated (Smith, Crooked and Tech). The winner will move on to perform as national finalist.
The “One Shot” announcement continues the momentum of Smith’s decorated career in the music and entertainment sector. Over the last ten years, Smith has lent a hand to pen numerous songs for artists, with more than 10 sweeping the Top 10 on the charts. He’s produced, written and performed with revolutionary hip hop artists including Slaughterhouse, Dizzy Wright, Cyhi the Prynce, Nappy Roots, Inspectah Deck of Wu-Tang Clan, Justice League, DJ Revolution, Royce Da 5’9, Kool G Rap, Twista, Kxng Crooked and Troy Ave. Mike heads up three record labels including SMH Entertainment, Razor Sharp Records (in partnership with RZA of Wu Tang Clan) and 22 Records (Nashville). Making introductions to the country music sector as an independent solo artist, Smith released his self-penned “Little Bit Of Us” (from the CD titled ALWAYS YOU AND ME slated for a late June 2016 release). The track made its debut as one of the “most added songs” on the Music Row Breakout chart (entering at No. 81 and currently in the Top 40) and has enjoyed more than 150,000 streams on Spotify.
“One Shot” was among the
BET /
Centric new programming slate announced earlier this month at the broadcasters’
Upfront presentation in New York; the series is scheduled to launch on BET in August 2016. Production services will be provided by executive producers, Julie Insogna Jarrett and Seth Jarrett of Jarett Creative. For more information, visit
http://myoneshot.tv.
