Mr. Len – Author Biography
Mr. Len (Leonard Smythe) is a hip-hop DJ from the Bronx, New York. He was a member of the underground hip-hop group Company Flow, with El-P and Bigg Jus. Upon Company Flow’s disbanding, Mr. Len pursued a solo career with the album “Pity the Fool: Experiments in Therapy Behind the Mask of Music While Handing Out Dummy Smacks” on Matador Records in 2001. The album featured cameos by Chubb Rock, Jean Grae, The Juggaknots, Lord Sear and others. Mr. Len continued to work with rapper Jean Grae, produced tracks on her 2002 debut album “Attack of the Attacking Things” and toured with Jean Grae as her performance DJ. By 2003, Mr. Len made the decision to launch his own label.
Mr. Len’s label – Smacks Records – kicked off with the single release “Take Yo Ass To The Store” feat. Mr. Len and Living Legends Crew member Murs. Later that year, Len joined Kimani Rodgers of The Masterminds to form the group Roosevelt Franklin. They released their debut album “Something’s Got to Give” (Third Earth Music) and their humor-charged live performances garnered them an underground following and unexpected acceptance from the critics.
Mr. Len followed up with “Class X: A Tribute To Company Flow”, the first full-length release on Smacks Records in 2004. The Smacks roster quickly grew to include R&B/hip-hop hybrid The Dix (with members Prince Paul, Mr. Dead, Don Newkirk, Don Richardson, MC Paul Barman and others) as well as Mr. Len’s discoveries: Bully Mouth, Kice Of Course, Mental Case, and Eff Radio.
While Mr. Len continues to serve as a DJ, producer and radio personality, he appeared as a guest blogger for The Atlantic (www.theatlantic.com) in August 2010.
Mr. Len joins blacker inkwells as the co-author of the upcoming book series “classic pages.”