By: Sindy
Scooter Smiff (real name Jermaine Smith) is a 13-year-old triple threat—rapping, dancing, acting—he does it all! Scooter talks to Kidzworld about his hot new single, Head of My Class featuring Chris Brown, his respect for The Jonas Brothers, and how he got his big break at such a young age.
Sindy:: How did you get into rapping?
Scooter: When I was five years old, I listened to artists like DMX, Lil’ Romeo, and Bow Wow and I just started vibing to the music—then my mom put me in Showtime at the Apollo and I won.
Sindy:: What other artists are you into?
Scooter: Lil Wayne, Jay-Z—of course Lupe Fiasco, because those are the most real artists out there.
Sindy:: Did you hear Lupe might retire soon?
SS: He can NOT retire!
Sindy:: Well you’ve got to take his place if he does.
Scooter: I gotta be lyrical like he is, for sure.
Sindy:: Tell me how you met B2K.
Scooter: They were the special guests at Showtime at the Apollo, and we just started talking and hanging out—then J-Boog wanted to take me out to California and start my rapping career, so I was like, “okay!” They’re all really great guys.
Sindy:: You just dropped your single, Head of My Class feat. Chris Brown, how did you meet him?
Scooter: My friend, Miles, is a great dancer, and when he was younger, like seven or eight, he had backstage passes and got to meet Chris. Miles danced for him, then after that, Chris wanted to take him on tour. When the tour was over, they were told they were going to do the Grammy Awards, and they needed more kids to dance with Miles, so they called me and asked if I wanted to do it—and of course I said yes, it’s the Grammy’s!
Sindy:: What was it like playing on such a huge stage in front of so many people?
Scooter: It was scary at first, but then I started getting used to it—it’s what I do.
Sindy:: Do you have plans to tour?
Scooter: Yeah, to try and get my name out—you know I’m doing my promo tour now, but next year I’m going to try and be like Chris and get a lot of fans—maybe even try to fill out arenas.
Sindy:: I saw that hilarious YouTube video of you impersonating the Jonas Brothers. Do you like them?
Scooter: (Laughs) Yeah, I’m a BIG fan of the Jonas Brothers, I would love to work with them.
Sindy:: I liked when you put on the hat.
Scooter: That’s my little Jonas Brothers hat right there.
Sindy:: Nice. So you also played Daniel on the hit TV series, Lost. What was that like?
Scooter: Oh it was fun ‘cause you know it was my first time in Hawaii. I got to meet Adewale (Akinnuoye-Agbaje who plays Mr. Eko) and hang out with most of the cast—walking the strip, just having fun. That was only my second acting job, and it was for one of the biggest series ever, so I felt really blessed.
Sindy:: Do you want to do more TV work?
Scooter: Yes, hopefully, I’d like to.
Sindy:: And you have a movie coming out?
Scooter: Yeah, it’s called Gardens Of The Night (also starring Michelle Rodriguez) and it’s playing out in Berlin right now and should be coming here soon.
Sindy:: Which do you like more—acting or rapping?
Scooter: Both are fun and let you meet people, so I’d say both.
Sindy:: You’ve got your ,b>hot single out, so when does the album drop?
Scooter: February, I believe, but I’m not too sure.
Sindy:: I’ll definitely keep an eye out for it—thanks Scooter!
Scooter: Thanks a lot!
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