June 28, 2024—Emerging singer, songwriter and musician Kevin Smiley’s new song, “Heart to Break,” is debuting today via Rebel Music/gamma. Listen to the song, produced by Andrew Baylis (Jelly Roll, etc) and written by Smiley, Dallas Wilson (Lainey Wilson, Teddy Swims) and Connor Matthews, HERE.
Reflecting on the track, Smiley shares, “I personally love collaboration, and this song provided the opportunity for me to do just that with Dallas, Andrew and Connor. Hope you enjoy our love song that isn’t a love song.”
“Heart to Break” follows Smiley’s debut single, “Paralyzed,” which was released earlier this spring to critical acclaim. Of the track, which Rolling Stone selected as a “Song You Need to Know,” All Country News praises, “a testament to the power of music as a medium for self-expression and healing…As Smiley continues to carve his own path in the music industry, one thing remains clear: his voice is one that demands to be heard.”
With the new music, Smiley shares his unique creative voice as he combines traditional country sounds with the perspective of a 20-year-old black man living in today’s world. Poised for a breakout year, Smiley continues to gain significant attention across platforms, garnering 20 million cumulative views to date.
Raised in the small town of Okeechobee, FL, Smiley is the youngest of six children and has been homeschooled by his mother his whole life. Learning to sing and play guitar at church (where his father was a pastor and his mother played piano), Smiley’s musical interests shifted in 2020 when he began listening to country music after his parents forbid him from listening to rap while playing video games during the pandemic. It was then that Smiley heard George Strait’s classic hit, “Amarillo By Morning,” which led him to discover 80s and 90s country music and legendary artists such as Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney and Brad Paisley. These influences can be heard throughout Smiley’s work, both sonically and in his storytelling-focused songwriting. Smiley is currently working on more new music, additional details to come soon.
