Meet LaMar Smoktagous77″ Johnson | Drummer

Hi LaMar “Smoktagous77”, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
What up doe VoyageATL. Thank you for this awesome opportunity. As for deciding to pursue a creative path – to be totally honest, looking back at it all, I didn’t pursue a creative path, it just naturally happened. I was born with a musical gift given to me by my Creator, and throughout my journey, I was placed in front of unique individuals who took me under their wings and put me on stages that opened many doors. Those doors are what made me the musician I am today. What started as that little chubby kid patiently waiting his turn to play drums in church, blossomed into an internationally known drummer with a career that has continued now for 30 years. With that experience, other opportunities presented themselves; not only as a drummer but now as an artist, audio engineer & CEO of Tis I…Entertainment, LLC. I’ve been blessed to achieve goals one can only imagine. A good friend once said to me, “Another man’s Dreams are your Reality!” I’m incredibly humbled and thankful and owe all Thanks to my Supreme Creator.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What keeps me busy is playing around town, working at my drum school – “Smok’s Woodshed Drum School”, and staying in the studio engineering and/or producing for some of the dopest hip hop artist that have come across my way; all while writing & producing my own music for my 1st EP being released under Dreams Distribution. I currently have 2 self-released singles entitled, “17 Years” & “Booboos is my Friend” which is one of my most proudest moments as an artist & hearing my music over the airways is still the greatest highlight I can ever imagine in my new journey as an Artist. It hits different because you know the story behind what you wrote. Not only as a drummer on a major or local record that you were given an opportunity to perform on but something you actually wrote, played, produced, & engineered with your name and face on the cover – For example, remember that scene from “The Five Heartbeats” when Duck and his siblings were sleeping and awakened by hearing their name & music being played on the radio…? Well as my good friend & Comedian Bill Hills says, #THATPART!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Local spots in Atlanta??? Whew!! OK, let’s see… I am NOT a club person but more of an adventurous, big kid, let’s have a good time, type of guy, so either Six Flag or Andretti’s will ALWAYS be #1. It’s a fun center with video games, bowling, laser tag & of course some super fast go-karts. Don’t be surprised if you see me there with my family. Around Halloween, if you’re into spooks & giggles, Netherworld! Depending on who’s visiting, an itinerary is needed LOL. Monday we chilling LOL. That’s the musicians’ “Holy Sabbath” LOL. Tuesday night tacos and drinks are definitely @ Tacos & Tequila on Ponce. Wednesday, this cool hole in the wall called Northside Tavern – IYKYK. Thursday night is Kats Kafe for the weekly jam session, Friday – we’re at the Studio, (well that’s a Monday-Sunday sort of deal) Saturday (all day) – The Zoo, The Aquarium, Ferris Wheel, MLK Memorial, Edgewood, when my dad was in town he wanted to go to the Tyler Perry Studios, so let’s include that as well, Slutty Vegan, etc etc etc…

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
#1 ALL Thanks to GOD & my guardian Angels! Next is my wife, Keisha Johnson, my 2 amazing children – Ariel & LaMar Jr, my mother, Rosie Johnson. my dad & stepmom, Joseph & Cynthia Williams, my siblings Chyna (Smurf), LaSara, Jonathan, Laurence (Tenecia), & Steve (Monique), my entire tribe of cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, & nephews. My praying Grandmother, Sarah Johnson, my big bros James Shelton, Marcus Devine & Turhan Terrell. Smok wouldn’t be Smok without you brothers.

Much love & respect to my Arrested Development family (Speech, Yolanda, Free, JJ Boogie, 1 Love, Za, TJ & Eric) Thank you for a lifetime of memories. ‘Til we meet again. To all the other major & local artists I was fortunate to work with throughout my career, Thank You as well. My hometown of Detroit, MI “Whuddup Doe”!! My ATL family, AMS family, G. Fields, Alvin Mays, The Smoktagous77 Band, Lil Booboos, Almoni, Lacy, KeKe, Lennex Stephens, Bishop Kent & Cynthia Stephens, Vicki & James Grant, Kai, LaRon & KeKe Williams, Gate City Lodge 42, The 10,000 Fearless, and everyone else who has been a part of my journey. There are so many more to mention.

Website: https://smoktagousweb.wixsite.com/smoktagous77

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smoktagous77/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smoktagous77/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SmokTagous77

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smoktagous77

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/smoktagous77

Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/smoktagous77/1527156611 https://open.spotify.com/artist/73T95xgnOcPIsFWRpSAzYb?si=zuNs-HNjSyWRVGoCBwmTmA https://music.amazon.com/artists/B08FTH5GWY/smoktagous77?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_gYGZnRSLzv25tClx3K2iQdBjl

Image Credits
Keisha Johnson
Arrested Development
Joshua Mose
Gregory Fields