Meet Solomon Smith | Liberia International Musician Friday the Legend

We had the good fortune of connecting with Solomon Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Solomon, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Focus, determination and love for my people has played a major role in my success. For example, when I first started, I was culture dancing in 1991 to 1999; I wasn’t a musician yet. I used to practice four days a week, eight hours each day. I was the best traditional culture dancer in Liberia, so a lot of people came to my practices on the providence island just to watch me from different backgrounds and counties. After a while, I began singing in the year 2000. I was already popular, so my music spread fast after making Biggest Mistake, Monrovia Young Girls, Simple Mistake, Belle, Teldeweane, amongst other timeless songs. My music and dancing are a huge part of Liberia entertainment, and it made a huge impact to the Liberian people, simply because it took part in the peace process of the Liberian civil war. I used to go to all the counties in Liberia, including refugee camps to take their mind off the war by using my musical talents. By never giving up, my music began spreading to other parts of the world and eventually allowed me to travel to the Western World.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
If Michael Jackson had a twin, it would be me. Believe it or not, they call me “Liberian Michael Jackson” in my country, simply because I am a one-man soldier that has zero competition when it comes to musical talent. No one is in my league. When they say legends are born, it’s true. The talent that I have was given to me by God. I didn’t have to practice getting good at it, I was simply born with it. Honestly, can you name an artist that sing, dance, and does acrobatics and magic on stage? Knowing this about myself is what excites me about my career. The lane that I am in is simply scarce, and nobody can compare themselves to me.

Growing up wasn’t easy by any means. My father had ten wives and 40 kids. I was born in Maryland, Liberia to a poor family. I lost my father at a young age and my mother abandoned me. As a sickly child, I was physically and mentally abused by my step father. The major challenges deep rooted from not having a place called home as a kid and living in poverty. People used to laugh at me and mock me saying that I’d amount to nothing. The Liberia Civil War came and traumatized the entire country. Nevertheless, my faith in God and my talent is what truly helped me break my family generational curse by allowing a single child out of 40 kids to have travel and a career. “Giving up is not an option” is one lesson that I’ve learned. I want the world to know and understand the gratitude in my heart stems from going through all the obstacles that could’ve broken me, instead, lifted me up and changed my story to a happy one. I am grateful to God and all my fans for helping me become the person I am today.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had to plan a week adventure in Atlanta with a friend, this is what we would do: Day 1: Welcome to Atlanta!
Morning:
•Start the day with brunch at First Watch.
Afternoon:
•2 hour culture tour in Helen
Evening:
•Have dinner at Montaluce Winery & Restaurant and experience a picturesque vineyard setting

Day 2: Exploring Downtown
Morning:
•Visit the Georgia Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world.
Afternoon:
•Have lunch at Der Biergarten
Evening:
•Private Stranger Things “The Upside Down” Film Locations Tour in Atlanta

Day 3: Arts and Culture Day
Morning:
•Visit the High Museum of Art in Midtown.
Afternoon:
•Enjoy lunch at Ponce City Market, a historic building turned into a vibrant mixed-use space.
Evening:
•Catch a performance at the Fox Theater.

Day 4: Nature and Relaxation
Full Day:
•Spend the day at Sunburst Adventures horseback riding, ziplining and boat tour
•Have a picnic lunch or grab a bite at Park Tavern.
*Relax at the St Regis Atlanta Spa

Day 5: Liberian Foodie Adventure
Morning:
•Start the day with breakfast at the famous Liberian restaurant World Taste.
Afternoon:
•Head over to Ike’s Café and Grill for some Fufu & Soup or Cassava Leaf
Evening:
• Head over to the farmers market in Decatur to explore different nationalities food for an hour
Dinner:
•Shop at the African market to cook real home cooked Liberian Tobbigi

Day 6: Hip Neighborhoods and Nightlife
Morning/Afternoon:
•Explore the trendy neighborhoods of Little Five Points and East Atlanta Village.
Evening:
•Dinner at Two Urban Licks for a lively atmosphere and wood-fired cuisine.
•Experience Atlanta’s nightlife in Buckhead or at Eden Lounge or Crowne Sports Bar.

Day 7: Historic and Cultural Farewell
Morning:
•Visit the Atlanta History Center for a comprehensive look at the city’s past.
Afternoon:
•Have lunch at The Colonnade, a historic Southern restaurant.
Evening:
•Farewell dinner at Canoe, a riverside restaurant with a beautiful garden setting.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh yes! Shout out to KK Kamara. He is the one that discovered me and encouraged me physically and spiritually in my career. My manager Saytue Saye pushes me every day to become a bigger musician in the Western World. My dancers have been a part of my career since day one. My children mothers and my kids are extremely supportive in everything that I do. Last but not least, I want to give a huge shoutout to Emory University Hospital and Dr. Vora for always helping me stay on top of my health.

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Other: Friday the Legend Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/fridaythelegendstore/?etsrc=sdt