Artist & Drummer, LaMar “Smoktagous77” Johnson was born with a unique gift from God to be a drummer. Given the nickname Smok (Smoke) for his precise power and speed behind the kit. As an infant, Smok would sit on the lap of his grandmother and play along with the beat as the choir sang at his childhood church in Detroit, MI. As years would later pass he found himself being the lead drummer out of a line of 7 or more young inspiring drummers playing for that same choir at his church. Seeing the vast variety outside the church scene, Smok sought to further his skill by playing for most of Detroit's premier local gospel artists at an early age and also became a part of his high school jazz and marching band where learning to read music was a requirement! With music being a focal point in young Smok's life and wanting to excel even more; a great opportunity gave LaMar the chance to not only work for but also be taught by Sun-Ra's own, Francisco Mora as he learned different styles and cultures of World Drumming.

 

 To this date Smok has played, recorded, and toured with great influential artists ranging from gospel premier artist, Tramaine Hawkins to the soulful r&b vibes of Chico Debarge, just to name a couple. Now currently residing in Atlanta, GA Smok has worked with some of ATL's finest hip hop artists including 2x Hip Hop Grammy Award winners, Arrested Development. But it did not stop there. Soon after his departure from Arrested Development in 2018, Smok has continued to play for multi Atlanta artists of different music genres ranging from hip hop, rock, jazz, fusion, blues, country, alternative, pop, greek, gospel, in addition to becoming a bandleader for his own band, The Smoktagous77 Band.

 

Smok is a firm believer that the skies are the limit and to never limit yourself to just 1 style of music. Lastly, make your own voice behind the kit!

 

 After earning his B.S. in Audio Production from Full Sail University (2020), Smok has composed, produced & engineered 2 singles, 17 Years feat. Kuipiio Livingston & Booboos Is My Friend feat. Adrienne Woods.

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 Smoktagous77's debut EP, "The Smoktagous77 Project" is coming soon.