This weekend I had the pleasure of attending The Smashfest Summit in Nashville, TN. My wife and daughters were vendors at the event, so my original plan was simple: support them, enjoy the experience, and spend some quality family time.
But if you’ve been following my journey lately, you know things are a little different these days.
I recently became a member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), and not long ago I graduated with my Master of Arts in New Media Journalism. Before leaving home, I tossed my school media badge and NABJ membership card into my backpack with a simple thought in the back of my mind:
“Maybe there’s a story waiting for me.”
I didn’t know what that story would be. I didn’t have an assignment. No press credentials had been requested. No interviews had been scheduled. I simply packed those items because something told me to.
Once I arrived at Smashfest (which partly took place at NMAAM), I began taking in the atmosphere. Music was everywhere. Creatives filled the halls. Artists, producers, songwriters, executives, entrepreneurs, and dreamers all gathered under one roof chasing opportunities and building connections.
Then boom.
The story found me.
What started as a weekend supporting my family quickly turned into a front-row seat to something much bigger.
After getting settled in, my family and I spent some time walking through the venue, taking in everything Smashfest had to offer. Vendors lined the halls, conversations filled the air, and creatives from all walks of life gathered under one roof.
As we made our way through the summit, we stumbled across the auditorium of the building with a sign on the front door that said, “Pass the Aux”. Curiosity led us inside.
The room was packed.
Artists, producers, songwriters, and supporters filled the room. The energy was undeniable. At the front of the room sat five industry professionals on a panel, ready to share their knowledge and experiences with a crowd eager to learn.
It didn’t take long to realize that I had just found my story.
What is The Smashfest Summit?
Smashfest is a three-day music summit founded by Grammy Award-Winning Songwriter, Vocal Producer, and Entrepreneur Makeba Woods. Known for her work alongside global superstars, including Beyoncé, Woods created The Smashfest Summit as a space where creatives can connect, learn, and grow within the music industry.
The event brings together artists, songwriters, producers, A&R executives, technology professionals, and a multitude of vendors for networking opportunities, educational sessions, and live showcases. This year’s event is highlighted by a main-stage performance from “The Voice” winner Alexia Jayy.
For many attendees, however, the “Pass the Aux” session may be one of the most impactful experiences of the entire weekend.
Pass the Aux:
From the back of the room, a name is called. An artist rises from their seat, walks confidently toward the stage, and introduces themselves before sharing a piece of music they’ve poured their heart into. One by one, the process repeats itself.
This was the scene during the morning “Pass the Aux” session at the Smashfest Summit, where approximately 5 artists, @alexa.givens, @nxckrxse, @slyvierocks, @rzshahidx, @sui0nline, were given an opportunity that many musicians spend years chasing: direct feedback from some of the music industry’s most respected professionals.
Have you ever witnessed the moment when an artist gets that one opportunity they believe could change everything? The chance to be heard by the right people. The chance to receive validation, direction, or even discover a door opening that they always believed existed.
Today, I had the opportunity to witness it happen.
Inside the auditorium, these artists waited anxiously as their names were called. The stage featured a panel of industry veterans to include, the founder of Smashfest and Grammy-Winning Songwriter Makeba Woods, Platinum-Certified Producer Troy Taylor of Songbook Entertainment/TTU, A&R + Multi-platinum Producer Clayton Williams, Songwriter + Producer Paul-Devon Lewow, and Multi-Platnum Producer Wyshmaster seated just feet away from the artists, creating an environment that felt equal parts showcase, audition, and mentorship session. Every artist knew that once their music began playing, they would have the undivided attention of professionals whose opinions could potentially influence the next chapter of their careers.
Not Your Average “Pass the Aux:
Artists selected for the session submit original music to be reviewed live by a panel of industry professionals. While the audience hears the songs, the panel provides honest feedback, professional insight, and guidance designed to help artists sharpen their craft and better navigate the music business.
Make no mistake, this wasn’t your typical “Pass the Aux.”
This wasn’t a room filled with empty praise or participation trophies. The panelists weren’t there to tell artists what they wanted to hear. They were there to tell them what they needed to hear.
Every critique was delivered with professionalism and purpose. Some artists were challenged on songwriting. Others received feedback on production choices, vocal delivery, branding, marketability, and overall artistic direction. The goal wasn’t to discourage anyone. It was to help them become better.
In an era where social media often rewards instant validation, Smashfest provided something much more valuable: honest evaluation from people who have helped shape successful careers.
Vulnerability Meets Opportunity: @RZShahidx Earns Praise from Industry Veterans:
One of the most memorable moments of the morning session came when Minneapolis hip-hop artist @RZShahidx stepped onto the stage to introduce his song, TOMO, an acronym for “Take Our Mask Off”.
Before the music even started, Shahid explained:
the record is about allowing yourself to be free and vulnerable.
What followed was a thoughtful blend of hip-hop and R&B that immediately captured the attention of both the audience and the panel.
As the song played, listeners were introduced to lyrics centered around authenticity, emotional honesty, and navigating life’s challenges without hiding behind a facade. The message resonated deeply with the panelists, who repeatedly praised both the concept and execution of the record.
One panelist compared Shahid’s sound to a blend of J. Cole and contemporary R&B while applauding his willingness to blur genre lines. Another praised the songwriting and flow while offering technical suggestions to strengthen the production. Multiple panelists pointed to the song’s sync licensing potential, suggesting it could find success in television, film, or commercial placements (Sync).
Legendary producer Troy Taylor offered detailed feedback on the mix, encouraging Shahid to create more separation between the bassline and vocals so listeners could better connect with the lyrics. It was the type of professional critique that artists often spend years trying to access.
Perhaps most importantly, the panel connected with the song’s message. Several members highlighted how refreshing it was to hear a male artist openly discuss vulnerability and authenticity. By the end of the conversation, panelists were requesting contact information and expressing interest in hearing more music from Shahid.
Watch Full Video Below:
Why Opportunities Like The Smashfest Summit Matter:
For many people watching from the audience, it would be easy to assume that success in music is simply about talent.
But the reality is far more complicated.
Today’s music industry is more accessible than ever before. Artists can record songs at home, distribute music worldwide with a few clicks, and build audiences through social media without ever signing a record deal. Yet despite those advantages, turning music into a sustainable career remains incredibly difficult.
Industry research suggests that roughly 95% of today’s artists operate independently, with only a small fraction ever signing with a major label. Some estimates suggest that less than 1% of artists are signed to major labels at any given time.
Even among artists who are actively releasing music, success is far from guaranteed. One recent study found that 76% of aspiring artists believe a career in music is financially unsustainable.
The numbers become even more sobering when examining career growth. Research analyzing artist development found that while some musicians move from emerging status to mid-level success, only a tiny percentage make the leap into mainstream recognition. One analysis found that just 0.25% of developing artists advanced into mainstream or superstar-level categories.
The challenge isn’t always talent:
Sometimes it’s access.
Access to the right producer.
Access to the right A&R executive.
Access to the right mentor.
Access to the right room.
That’s what made the “Pass the Aux” session feel different.
For a few hours, artists weren’t trying to get someone’s attention through social media algorithms, email submissions, or unanswered direct messages. They were standing face-to-face with people who have written hit records, developed artists, secured placements, and helped shape careers.
In most cases, those conversations never happen.
At Smashfest, they’re built into the experience.
That’s why moments like the feedback received by @RZShahidx were so significant. The value wasn’t simply hearing industry professionals say a song was good. The value was receiving direct guidance from people who understood exactly what needed to happen next.
In an industry where millions are trying to be discovered, access can be just as valuable as talent.
And for many artists in the room, Smashfest provided both.
The Real Value of Smashfest:
The artists who stepped onto that stage represented a level of preparation and dedication that was impossible to ignore. Their performances reflected countless hours spent writing lyrics, recording tracks, refining vocals, and perfecting their sound.
But what makes Smashfest special isn’t simply the feedback.
It’s the opportunity.
Throughout the session, artists received direct access to producers, A&R executives, songwriters, and industry professionals who have worked on some of the biggest stages in music. The conversations happening in the room weren’t theoretical. They were real discussions about how artists could improve their records, position themselves in the marketplace, and potentially reach audiences around the world.
One of the clearest examples came when artist “Afro(Zambia) CaliAtlantian” @Sylvierocks performed her inspirational Afro Beats anthem, “One Day”. While the panel offered constructive feedback regarding the mix, production, and arrangement, the discussion quickly evolved into something much bigger.
As panelists listened to the record’s uplifting hook and global appeal, one industry Paul-Devon compared it to the type of anthem that could be featured during the FIFA World Cup. He described hearing the song during broadcasts opening ceremony/before major international matches and encouraged Sylvie to immediately revisit the production and prepare new versions of the song.
The message from the panel was clear: this wasn’t just a good song. This was a song with global potential.
Several panelists encouraged Sylvie to connect with producers and industry professionals attending Smashfest to elevate the record even further. They emphasized that the difference between a demo sitting on a hard drive and a worldwide hit often comes down to intentionality, collaboration, and execution. They even offered direct assistance, industry connections, and guidance to help move the record forward.
Watch the Full Moment Below:
Think about that for a moment.
An artist walks into a room hoping to receive feedback on a song. Minutes later, respected music powerhouses are discussing how that same record could potentially reach a global audience through one of the largest sporting events in the world.
That’s what Smashfest is about.
It’s about creating moments where preparation meets opportunity.
It’s about artists receiving more than applause. It’s about receiving access, mentorship, connections, and actionable guidance from people who have helped shape successful careers.
For some artists, the feedback provides confirmation that they’re moving in the right direction. For others, it becomes a roadmap for what comes next.
Regardless of the outcome, every artist who walked onto that stage left with something many aspiring musicians never receive: an opportunity to be seen, heard, challenged, connected, and encouraged by people who understand exactly what it takes to succeed.
And sometimes, all it takes is one song, one conversation, and one opportunity to change everything.
Passing the Aux or should we say Passing the Torch:
At first glance, the concept seems simple.
An artist walks onto a stage, introduces themselves, and plays a song for a room full of strangers.
“Pass the aux”.
But after spending the morning inside one of Smashfest’s signature session, it became clear that something much bigger was taking place.
This wasn’t just about passing the aux cord.
It was about passing the torch.
Throughout the session, industry veterans willingly shared decades of knowledge, experience, relationships, successes, and failures with the next generation of artists. They weren’t protecting trade secrets. They weren’t creating barriers. They were opening doors.
Every critique became a lesson.
Every connection became a possibility.
Every piece of advice became an opportunity.
You could hear it when panelists challenged artists to tighten their mixes, strengthen their songwriting, and think beyond the music itself. You could see it when producers and A&R executives offered direct feedback that many artists spend years trying to access. And you could feel it when conversations shifted from critique to opportunity.
For RZ Shahid, the panel recognized a refreshing level of vulnerability and authenticity in his music. What began as a review of a song evolved into discussions about future collaborations, commercial opportunities, and continued artist development.
For Sylvie, the conversation became even larger. A song that began as a personal testimony about faith, perseverance, and overcoming life’s challenges suddenly found itself being discussed as a potential global anthem, one that panelists believed could resonate with audiences during the FIFA World Cup. The feedback wasn’t simply, “Great job.” It was, “Go back, improve it, connect with the right people, and let’s see how far this record can go.”
That’s what Smashfest is about.
It’s not simply creating opportunities for artists to be heard.
It’s creating opportunities for artists to grow.
In an industry where access is often limited and mentorship can be difficult to find, Smashfest places emerging creatives in the same room as the people who have already traveled the road they’re hoping to walk.
For a few hours, the gap between a dream and a destination becomes a little smaller.
As the final artist stepped away from the stage and the session came to a close, one thing became abundantly clear:
The future of music was sitting quietly in the audience.
And thanks to Smashfest, a new generation of artists left carrying more than feedback.
They left carrying the torch.
And perhaps most importantly, they left carrying the aux.
SOURCES:
Musictech: 76% of Aspiring Artist say a Career in Music is Unsustainable
Catapult: Indies on the rise: How independent music is changing the industry landscape.
Leave a Reply