[1] Smith was born in Chesapeake, Virginia, and started playing drums at age 11, initially influenced by rock and funk music.

Smith studied media art and design at James Madison University.

[2][3] While at James Madison, he performed at the Conference of the International Association for Jazz Education in Atlanta, where he met Betty Carter, who invited him to joint performances at the Blue Note in New York City.

[5] In 2017, he released his first album as leader, Kinfolk: Postcards from Everywhere on Ropeadope Records.

[3] With Robin Eubanks With Dave Holland With Brittany Howard With Jose James With Chris Potter With others Smith endorses Zildjian cymbals, Ludwig drums, Vic firths sticks/mallets/beaters,[8] and Evans drumheads.