Meet Kent Smith | Writing/Recording Artist, Brand Owner/Creator, Podcast Host, Leader and Influencer

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

Hi Kent, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
My name is Kent Smith aka LockWest and I’m from Lynwood California. Being a proud native of Los Angeles and the inner city areas around LA, it plays a huge part in upbringing, psyche and nature versus nurture. The city of Lynwood was the most intricate and vital space I knew. Being a smaller city in LA county, everyone knows everyone. Grandparents and elders know each other, parents know other parents and young people either know each other or are quickly becoming familiar with their peers and surroundings. That type of environment shapes you to be able to cope in a place that always had lots of energy around you that you had to balance because you had so many people watching. Most not more than 3 degrees of separation from directly knowing you or a family member. A perfect learning tool for life that only a place like Lynwood could give you. What I’ve come to find is that the entertainment and branding industry is a similar environment to the one I grew up in. Allowing me to feel comfortable when expectations are high, eyes are upon me, pressure is applied and I must deliver. Allowing me to be comfortable responding and not reacting because I’ve had so much LIFE practice that my background and upbringing gave me.

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.
Take Ice Cube, Nas, J. Cole, Nipsey, sprinkle a tad of Tupac and combine them in one person. You got The LockWest Monster himself! My music and style is a complete hybrid of the new wave of hiphop (flow, feel and style) , coupled with an appreciation for the roots of the culture!
To get to where I am was and is a long road of writing, recording, learning, failing, getting it right, getting it wrong, building, fighting, studying, executing, practicing and putting myself and others in positions to help ourselves be successful.
Challenges arise for all of us. Each one unique with circumstances. It’s important to never get too high or low with the triumphs or the failures. Instead I try to always learn the lessons necessary to not make the same mistakes. That’s far easier said than done, but yet it’s something I work towards constantly.
As a creative, I’ve learned that nothing is static in nature. Everything changes and evolves. To maintain success, you not only must be willing to fail, but also be willing to change! And sometimes change is more difficult than flat out failing.

My brand represents the true high frequency vibe and wave of the people who stand for what is RIGHTeous to themselves. We represent the natural feel and high frequency of life unapologetically. We represent freedom of energy expressed without judgment of any kind… race, class, religious practice, gender, creed or background.

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.
I would take them straight to the night life! Hollywood, DTLA, Santa Monica etc… greatest place in the country by a landslide!! We’re eating at all the fly vegan restaurants: Pura Vita, Crossroads, Mustard Seed, Craig’s (vegan options), Little Pine, The butcher’s daughter, Vegan Castle, El Cocinero to name a hand full. Take them by the “Cookies” dispensary store and Cannabis Café. Catch a show or 2 at the Hollywood bowl, catch a Laker and/or Dodger game, hike Runyon Canyon and end it off by catching a vibe at Venice beach. Couple studio visits to places like “Salami studios” and Play Haus (A creative must always have a place and space to create)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
– The One and ONLY true universal God… Master, Creator and Architect of all life to whom I am eternal grateful and thankful!
– The greatest and most wonderful mom in the world, My Mom Yvonne Mason.
– The Honorable Ministers Malcolm X and Louis Farrakhan who through their example taught me so much
– My homie for 20+ years and brother from another mother AJ (Ajian Diaz) and all my homies and brothers that hold me accountable
– My family (auntie Shelia, godmother Felecia and all my sisters and brothers and cousins)
– My Pops
– And everyone that is around me every day helping me hold it down, personally and professionally!

Instagram: @thereallockwest

Twitter: @thelockwest

Facebook: The LockWest

Youtube: Vybe Junkiiz TV

Image Credits
Alexus Diaz, Alex Lutt