Meet Soblanc and BSmith, they have been applying a lot of pressure, bringing old school R&B/Soul, Pop/HipHop, and New School R&B together. The Brockton Bred group is on a well defined path to dominate the New England music scene, and their latest release "Luv U" undoubtedly amplifies the year of success that they’ve been having. Soblanc has been singing since the age of 2, has performed for the state senators, president George W. Bush, Boston Mayor Menino and even the former President of Haiti Jean Aristide. She's also opened up shows for Wyclef Jean. BSmith, Boston born artist spends most of his time coding, producing beats and keeping up with technology. He has an upcoming Single hosted by Ne-Yo featuring Brian Angel. Make sure to subscribe to this Youtube Channel, Spotify and Apple Music. and Abstract Rain on Instagram. In this exclusive Q&A we were able to get a sense of their aspirations, mentality, goals, influences and much more!
Boston Culture: Where did you grow up? When did you guys meet?
Bruce Smith: I grew up in Boston. Music is what brought Soph and I together
SoBlanc: I grew up in Boston but was born in port au prince Haiti. Boston is so full of history, if you take the time and do tourist things you will see how amazing Boston is. Bruce and I met through music actually lol. A mutual friend introduced us and from there it was magic.
Boston Culture: Talk to us about the vision for Soblanc/ Abstract Rain, how did you come up with the name?
SoBlanc: Soblanc is short for Sophonie Blanc my name.Abstract Rain is my baby, my band family. It's a movement and my business. Bruce actually came up with the name because my vision was to bring a different vibe to the world by colliding all genera's and creating something amazing for the world to hear. So far we have succeed. We are open for hire lol
Boston Culture: Talk to us about “Luv U” - from its inception stages to the creative visual recording process. How did you come up with the initial concept? How did Ne-Yo get his ear on it?
SoBlanc: "Luv U" was created while in the shower. I made a melody and I loved it. So I picked up the pen and viola! Neyo heard the song and loved it. From there he hosted our song and put us on the mixtape and we are now in conversation of joining his writing team compound ent. When he gave us his personal contact and started to follow me on social media I felt like... Wow this is so surreal.
Boston Culture: Talk to us about your collaboration with Brian Angel Bruce Smith: Brian Angel is the Man! I can go on and on. The most Humble/ Talented person that you can meet. I can’t wait for the world to hear the track that we have together.
SoBlanc: Brian Angel is such a humble person. A cool dude for real. He heard a song i wrote and said I have to jump on that. He said " you guys have something. You are celebrities and don't know it yet".
Boston Culture: What was the best advice you got early in your career? Bruce Smith: I’m a shy person, I was always told that I need to keep going, open up and let the world see my talent. I remember that I almost quit making music. I’m glad that I didn’t. If I did, I would have never had a song with Brian Angel, hosted by Neyo
SoBlanc: To keep going. What God has for you will be for you.
I was offered a record deal at a young age and my dad being a minister wasn't ready to let me step into the industry. Fast forward a few years later I was approach by an AnR again but God knew I wasn't ready yet. But I'm more than ready now. So doors are opening and I'm walking in with my gift and prayed up.
Boston Culture: Walk us through the first time you ever made a song. Bruce Smith: My parents bought me a Casio piano and I remember being able to record and layer tracks on it. I would record and sequence a whole song on that Casio. I loved it and spent most of my time on it. Eventually I got a computer and started to record on Cool Edit Pro . Then I was on Fruity Loops and Reason. The sky was the limit!
SoBlanc: The first song I wrote was actually a gospel song. Being a preachers kid I was instructing a children's choir at the age of 14 and wanted to have them sing something no one heard before for a concert we were having. I fell in love with being able to create from there. Honestly, I didn't really start listening to secular music until I joined a girl group and we called our selves NAJ. I was a freshman in high school. We performed every where! Venues, school events, parks etc
Boston Culture: What do you dislike about the art world/music industry?
SoBlanc: The industry is tough as times. It's hard to trust who's really in your corner and who has your best interest. People have hidden agendas and not always trustworthy. But all in all people has shown us love so far. Boston Culture: Who or what are some of your biggest influences? Talk to us about your Haitian cultural roots. Bruce Smith: My Favorite artist is Michael Jackson / Neyo. My favorite group is Dru Hill / New Edition
SoBlanc: My influences are my parents ( especially my dad), India arie, etta james, temptations, Jill scott, Micheal jackson, mary j blige, Chrisette Michelle and I can go on and on. Being haitian in the era I grew up in was kind of difficult. No one understood us ( haitians) so people had all types of haitian jokes and off the boat jokes. I never gave negative attention the time of day. I believe people only power is your reaction so I try not to give them one.
Boston Culture: Talks to us about your younger mentality.
SoBlanc: My dad is a singer and a musician. He was also offered a record deal at the age of 12. He said no because he wanted to go into the ministry instead. But he always said I was a super star. Which is crazy for a haitian family to feel. In a haitian household you are either a doctor, lawyer, nurse or engineer. for him to say he saw my name in lights and on T.V. is something amazing and out the box. My parents had my siblings and I in all kinds of music activity. my siblings also sing and play instruments. Actually, my mother and father put me in New England Conservatory of Music where I completed my education. My background is in classical music. My parents also had me take piano and cello lessons. But I haven't touched an instrument in years! Only my voice. I always dreamed of singing or being in entertainment. Interesting enough my dad also had me co host a radio show for 3 years. And I also hosted with another pk on a haitian television show for a year. The entertainment industry was breed in me. Outside of music Currently, Im in digital marketing and will be graduating in May from Yale University school of management.
Boston Culture: What do you think of the music scene in the State? Are there any other Boston producers or artists you'd potentially like to collab with in the future? Bruce Smith: I’m already working with a few. I would definitely love to work with Jyshoun / Joyner Lucas / MillYz / Cousin Stizz / New Edition...etc
SoBlanc: There's always that dark shadow that your city doesn't support you until they see others do. But we haven't experienced that. We have been shown love from everyone we encountered. So thank you Boston culture for showing us love and many others, thank you. I'm always open to a collab. There are some dope artist and producers out here in Massachusetts. Let's work! Boston Culture: Tell us about your goals for 2021. Where will you be by the end of the year. Let's start manifesting that now. Bruce Smith: I’m hoping to have a song that everyone loves. SoBlanc: My goal is to continue to grow and hopefully this time next year our conversation is about bruce and I being nominated for a Grammy or being in a lead role for a movie etc and official signed to compound ent. I'm trying to build generational wealth for my family. So I'm out here working and praying. By the end of the year we hope to be where God wants us to be. Doing what we love the most! Music and entertainment....I also see more growth with my band Abstract Rain.
Boston Culture: Did the pandemic affect any of your plans? Bruce Smith: The pandemic has giving me an opportunity to talk to / work with some of my favorite artist (Brian Angel, Neyo, Pleasure P ...etc). It also gave me the opportunity to be a student of MIT (programming)
SoBlanc: The pandemic definitely affected a lot! My band Abstract Rain was booked for months and it all was cancelled. I had plans on touring and working on our album a little sooner. But God had other plans for us. We met Brain angel, Neyo and some other industry artist we cant mention yet. All these wonderful things happened in the mist of these challenging times and now we have these amazing opportunities. The world needs to get ready for what we are about to bring them!
Boston Culture : What brands should sponsor you? Bruce Smith: I would love to make commercials/ jingles and advertisement for the major tech companies (Microsoft, Apple, Google, Amazon, Samsung, Nura, RedHat, Tesla, LG, Sony, Canon ....etc) and be endorsed by them.
SoBlanc: I would love to be sponsored by some local businesses and companies ( because our community comes first and needs to be acknowledge) and eventually move up to companies like Nike, Adidas, Valentino etc Boston Culture: Anything else we missed you want to tell your fans? Bruce Smith: Soph and I love our fans! Everything that we do is for you!
SoBlanc: Always stay encouraged, create many legal avenues of income and go cope our music! We love you all and please continue to Support SoBlanc, Bsmith and Abstract Rain, as well as all local artist! We have to put us on the map.
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