He was the godfather of the "iz" and "shizzle", and would heavily influence rap arts of the 80's and beyond.
Through Frankie Smith went to college for a degree in elementary school teaching, he minored in music, which would lead him to becoming a writer for such groups as The Spinners, and O'Jays. This provided him the opportunity in 1972 to record the single, Double Dutch for Paramount. However, the track would fail to garner any attention.
Though little is known about the artist for the next several years, Smith would reemerge in 1981 on WMOT Records with his debut album, Children Of Tomorrow. While the artist wouldn't necessarily turn heads, his overall style of music, explained in the song, Slang Thang, would become a staple way of talking, as well as performing music in the black and rap communities.
Fo shizzle my nizzle? Though it became a popular term by Snoop Dog, this was all brought to the forefront of slang by Smith, who popularized it by frequently adding "iz" and "shizzle" into his lyrics. As noted above, this was all explained in his song, Slang Thang. Of course, there are references to these terms being used prior to Smith's music, such as in children's board games. However, he was definitely the main influence in its usage today.
Children Of Tomorrow would be renamed to Double Dutch Bus for its much later CD release, and this is where we land for today's Retro Spin. Smith's raspy, yet somehow smooth at the same time, voice, delivers on thirty seven minutes of funk. All of this is led by a bass line that wants to grab your attention, whether you like it or not.
As for me, I dug it big time, and I was all aboard for my trip on the double dutch bus.
Then track four, the original title track, came out of nowhere. Gone was the bass line. Gone was the rasp. In its place was a heartfelt ballad, dedicated to the future of the children. A song of sorrow for the mess the world had become, but at the same time, a hope that the current generation did all they could to make sure that the children's future would be better.
PASS!
Back in the swing of the groove, things picked up again with The Auction. This funk lasted the remainder of the album, finishing off with the mostly instrumental, Triple Dutch...Man, what is this guys obsession with buses and or jump roping?
Honestly, I didn't expect to like this album. It was an awesome surprise to get pulled into it the way I did, and I really am glad I found some great new tunes to add to my shuffle list.
Unfortunately, it wouldn't be until 2006 that his second album would be released, which would also be his last. Smith passed away in 2019 at the age of 79.
Though he may have only had two albums, his legacy and impact is far greater than most people know or give him credit for. He inspired generations of future artists, and ushered in the popularization and use of slang in the music industry. Not that these things didn't exist prior to him, but perhaps that they wouldn't have become so mainstream without him.
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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
March 11, 1989
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