Born in 1984 like anyll the basic stuff and not to put everything in his mouth.
Axl’s mother was a little bit on the nutty side, so she put him into “little kid” music classes at the age of three. The madness did not stop here. At the age of 4 she put Axl into ballet lessons and made him wear tights. (This must be why he likes the 70’s spandex stuff) During this time one of his dancing instructors recommended that Axl should move to more mainstream dance. And, at the age of 5 he did he’s first Moonwalk in front of an audience.
In elementary school it was discovered that Axl had an aptitude for music. Therefore, it was necessary to select an instrument. The first instrument selected was the flute. This didn’t last long, (two weeks), yet again a magnificent idea of Axl’s mother. With the doom of the flute, mother and son reached an agreement over the saxophone which was influenced by Axl’s grandfather, a great jazz fan. This Axl studied fastidiously and finally was awarded a spot at the honored Helsinki Pop and Jazz Conservatorium. But at the end of the day – jazz was not Axl’s thing, he detested school and after these endeavors he decided that performing arts was his calling in life.
From performing in musicals and theater to ghostwriting and songwriting for numerous international projects, it was a tape sent to MTV that was about to change things. MTV Europe was searching for a new VJ and Axl’s version of Outkast’ ‘Hey Ya’ beat over 4000 applicants for the job. After hosting international events (e.g. Europe Music Awards Warm-Up Week ’06) and the weekends on MTV, Axl started combining the VJing with producing. One thing left to another and soon Axl was hosting and producing ‘Axl Meets’, the only locally produced MTV show that has Pan-European coverage. (Guests in ‘Axl Meets’: Snoop Dogg, Muse, Diddy, My Chemical Romance, Lenny Kravitz, Chemical Brothers,..)
In 2009 – at the age of 25, Axl was promoted to Head of Music & Artists, being the youngest ever music programmer & manager in MTV history.
After MTV was “on lock” it was time to get back to the music – as an artist. 3 years in the making – Axl was finally ready with his debut album. Tracks from ‘People Come First’ were played to radio stations in Paris and reviews started popping: “the album sounds like Michael Jackson and Prince would’ve met in the hip-hop world” (ALLHIPHOP) “
“Axl Smith is not following the trends, but at the same time getting it SO right.” (METRO)
This hip-hop funkateer comes with the whole package; Not only does Axl bring the house down with this flamboyant stage presence, but he’s showmanship works in so many levels. And whatever he does – he somehow reminds you of the time when entertainment was still electric, energetic – and most of all – entertaining!
MUSIC
- Debut album “People Come First” released in Scandinavia April 2010.
- Opening act for Whitney Houston (Nothing But Love Tour 2010) and 50 Cent (Before I Self Destruct Tour 2009).
- Featuring artist (A2:A2 (2006), Q-Continuum: This Is The Marienhof (2006), Osmo Ikonen: Stories From Within (2008), Higher Ground Movement: Forever Mine (2010).
“I cannot hype up Axl Smith too much. I strongly believe that he will be the next big music export from Finland” (Vesa Sytelä, Head Of Production, International Pori Jazz Festival)
“Sound like Michael Jackson and Prince if they would have met in the hip-hop world” (ALLHIPHOP)
TV & RADIO
MTV Networks, VJ (2004 -)
- Host for numerous MTV Nordic & Europe productions.
- Host for MTV Weekends from 2004 to 2005.
- Host for MTV Europe Music Awards Pre Show in 2006 (900 mil. viewers).
- Host and main interviewer for MTV International at MTV Europe Music Awards International Press Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark 2006 (Participants: NY Times, Rolling Stones, Herald Tribune, CNN and NBC).
- MTV Nordic Correspondant for MTV Video Music Awards 2004 (Miami), 2006 (New York) and 2007 (Las Vegas).
MTV Networks, Producer (2006 -)
- Producer and Host for MTV Networks’ music based shows: Spanking New & MTV Fahrenheit.
- Creator, Producer and Host for Pan-Nordic & Europe music documentary series ‘Axl Meets’.
(3, complete series’ with guests including Snoop Dogg, Lenny Kravitz, Korn, 30 Seconds To Mars, Muse, My Chemical Romance,..) locations: Japan, Israel, India, Scandinavia, USA, Europe.
MTV Networks, Head Of Music (2009 -)
- Head of Music, Talent and Artist Coordinator for MTV in Finland.
Spin FM (2009-)
- Host and creator of “SOULMATES” (weekly soul, funk, R&B and hip-hop radio show and live lounge concept).
Nelonen (Finnish TV4), Host (2010-)
- Host for SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Finland.
Radio Aalto (2011-)
- Host and creator of “Thank God It’s Friday Weekend Show”.
UNICEF GOODWILL AMBASSADOR (2005-)
- numerous projects and events for schools around Finland.
