Darrick Smith and Friends

My Story

I'm Darrick Smith—a single father, independent artist, survivor, and dream chaser. My life has been a journey through pain and purpose, and every lyric, every beat, and every word I share comes straight from a place most people never see.

I grew up on the tough side of St. Louis, raised by my grandmother after losing my cousin and aunt in a tragedy that changed me forever. I know the sound of sirens at night and the ache of longing for love that always felt out of reach. My mother fought her own battles, and I grew up fast, sometimes making choices that led me down hard roads. But I turned it around—fighting to survive the streets, beat the odds, and build something real for my kids.

I'm a Black father, raising two beautiful kids on my own—homeschooling them, loving them, and showing them every day that we don't have to be what the world expects. I fought for custody. I fought for a home. I fought to break cycles, and I'm still fighting—every single day.

Music saved me. Creating, writing, and using AI tools, I found my voice in the chaos. I built a massive catalog—over 250 songs in a single year—using pain as fuel and hope as my guide. I'm not just here to make noise; I'm here to touch souls. I use my story to remind others that you can lose everything and still rise.

I know struggle. I've been homeless. I've seen doors slam in my face. But I refuse to let my kids see me quit. I push forward for them, for me, and for anyone who's ever felt invisible. Every view, every listen, every comment means the world, because it's more than music—it's survival, it's therapy, it's a legacy.

If you're reading this, I hope you feel my heart in these words. I hope you know that no matter where you start, it's about how you fight, how you love, and how you keep going—even when nobody's watching.

Welcome to my world. This is bigger than music. This is my life.