Spenser Smith's 'FATAL FURY': A Modern Homage to 90s East Coast Boom Bap

Spenser Smith, a multifaceted artist hailing from Queens, NY, is set to make waves in the music industry with the upcoming release of his much-anticipated album in early 2024. Born in Queens and raised in Valley Stream, Spenser‘s musical journey began in his childhood, where he fostered a deep love for music, participating in band class from elementary school through high school.

In the 9th grade, Spenser started crafting poetry, marking the early stages of his creative expression. The turning point came in 2013 when he decided to commit to a career in music. In 2016, Spenser released his first full-length mixtape, “The Lone Star Fatal Beginnings,” which, despite mixed reviews, led him to his first mentor and producer, Grant Klinger.

Following the release of his mixtape, Grant emphasized the importance of understanding every facet of the music industry. This inspired Spenser to delve into music production, prompting him to enroll in Full Sail University’s Music Production Program in 2018 after a conversation with his girlfriend. During the program, he secured an internship with the renowned R&B group, “The Force MD‘s,” where Khalil Lundy became his second mentor, guiding him as an audio engineer and music producer.

After a brief hiatus from releasing music, Spenser immersed himself in the art of audio production, taking time to study and improve his skills behind closed doors. In 2020, he secured a position at a recording studio in Brooklyn, NY, only to face an unforeseen obstacle when wrongfully terminated. This setback, however, allowed Spenser to invest more time in beatmaking and refining his skills as an artist and music producer.

In 2021, Spenser was offered the position of recording studio manager at “The Force MD‘s” studio. Utilizing the pandemic as an opportunity for growth, he trained and improved his skills, leading to the release of his EP, “The Foreshadow,” in 2022, featuring collaborations with AnthonyxJohn and Gendi. Spenser continued his momentum with the release of his single “Who You Laying With (Freestyle)” featuring TOKA in 2023, preparing fans for the next chapter in his musical journey.

As the year concluded, Spenser capped off 2023 with the release of his latest single, “FATAL FURY.” Drawing inspiration from video games such as Capcom vs. SNK 2, Marvel Vs. Capcom 2, and Street Fighter 3, the track delivers a 4:23-minute freestyle with hard-hitting bars reminiscent of the 90s East Coast boom bap, infused with a modern feel.

Spenser‘s musical influences include iconic figures like Notorious BIG, JAY Z, Nas, Raekwon/Ghostface Killah, Big Pun, MF DOOM, DMX, Drake, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Nipsey Hussle, Tyler The Creator, Kanye West, Michael Jackson, and New Edition, reflecting the rich tapestry of his artistic inspiration.

As Spenser gears up for the release of his new album in early 2024, he is also working on his next business venture—a music production studio in his area, providing a creative space for artists to record and produce music.