LIL SHANK

Ronreco Smith, better known by his stage name Lil Shank, began his career as a rapper at the young age of 10 in Memphis, Tennessee. He wrote his first rap, "Drop Dead To Your Knees," in second grade for a school talent show. His mentor was rapper So Serious the Warrior. Lil Shank grew up in North Memphis's Scutter-field community and attended Manassas High School. During his time at Kingsbury for a vocational-technical class, he met Debright "Lil Chrome" Parnell, and the two formed the duo known as "Baby Gangstas” that came as a result of their small statue and youthful faces. Despite their juvenile appearance, they captured the attention and ears of others and quickly gained notoriety for their hardcore rapping. While working at Folk's Folly, Lil Shank and Parnell found themselves writing raps during their breaks. The duo together wrote "Better Days," which was later featured on the Lootchasers Records album "Lootchasers A Million Ain't Enough," released in August 2000.

The duo's debut album, "Shank & Chrome Daily Living," was released in May 2000 and received recognition globally. The album included songs such as “Young Niggaz Don’t Live Long,” which featured Memphis rap legends Playa Fly and Kingpin Skinny Pimp.

Lil Shank met Leo Williams, founder, and CEO of Lepo Entertainment, while rapping on a corner in his neighborhood. Leo encountered Lil Shank while promoting records for Tru Game Record. It would be at this moment that Lil Shank and Parnell would take a chance and rap one of their songs, “Feel This,” on the spot in front of Leo. This stunned Mr. Leo, and was amazed at their talent. “He stated, they could possibly be the next MJG & Eightball from Memphis. Lil Shank and Parnell would later sign with Lepo Entertainment Record Label company for Mr. Leo to manage their career.

It was in July 2003 that Lil Shank’s career would be placed on hold. After a recording session, Lil Shank was hanging out in his neighborhood; he felt good about the next chapter in his rap career when the unexpected happened. An altercation occurred that resulted in Lil Shank being arrested and sentenced to 12 years in prison. In 2015 Lil Shank was released from prison. Not feeling certain about his rap career anymore, Lil Shank took a hiatus from writing and rapping and focused on rebuilding and being a father to his son. Lil Shank acknowledged and knew that he had lost too much time with his son already, and if it meant him putting off his dream to make up for lost time with his son, he would do just that.

Things began to turn in Lil Shank’s favor in October 2021. He got the urge to give rapping another shot. While in prison, Lil Shank would write, and over time, he had a mass collection of songs that he had written, hoping that one day he would get to put them out for the world to hear. Lil Shank decided to get back in contact with his manager, Mr. Leo, and long-time friend, Chris Hines, CEO of Same Circle Entertainment.

In December 2021, they began working on Lil Shank’s project, and his time had come again. They started outsourcing tracks from a few local producers. In February 2022, Lil Shank was officially back in the studio recording songs from his prison folder that would ultimately become a finished album that he’s releasing in spring 2023. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, Lil Shank remains determined to succeed and has used his experiences to fuel his passion for music.

He has come back stronger than ever, like he never left. His sound and delivery still have that touch that his fans admired. It’s his focus, ambition, and unparalleled talent that still makes him relevant today. His album titled “Still Relevant” will be released in spring 2023 on Lepo Entertainment/Same Circle Entertainment/Ear IV Sound Productions.