Celebrity Info
Let’s talk about the Minnesota-based rapper who really started turning heads after dropping his first EP back in 2010. Yeah, that’s right—Mod has had quite the journey. His second studio album, Movie, came out in 2017 and showed just how much he’d grown as an artist. But before all the spotlight, Mod—whose real name is Derek Smith—was deep in the music scene long before hip-hop became his main thing. In fact, he actually began his career as a drummer, playing for heavy metal bands like Four Letter Lie, which was based in Minnesota, and later with Scary Kids Scaring Kids from Arizona. Pretty wild shift, huh?
By 2009, Mod was ready to step into a new lane. That year, he recorded his debut hip-hop mixtape titled Let Ya Teeth Show, marking the start of his transition into rap. It wasn’t long before things started gaining momentum. Born in Bloomington, Minnesota, Mod’s early life was shaped by moving between two coasts—spending time with his dad in Long Beach, California, and living with his mom back home in Minnesota. His parents split when he was young, so balancing life between those two places definitely influenced his perspective.
Now, when it comes to his personal life, Mod made headlines beyond music too. He was linked to actress Bella Thorne from 2018 to 2019, and fans were definitely watching. Then came his relationship with pop-rock icon Avril Lavigne. The two seemed to really connect, and in April 2022, they excitedly announced their engagement—talk about a major moment! But, as sometimes happens, the couple decided to go their separate ways. In February 2023, Mod and Avril shared the news that they had parted ways, closing one chapter and likely opening another. Through music, love, and life changes, Mod continues to evolve—both as an artist and as a person.
He came up with the term “hippy hop” to capture the essence of his unique musical style—a fresh blend of hippie vibes and hip hop beats. He really embraced that sound, making it clear that his approach was all about merging peace-and-love energy with urban rhythm. Over time, he became closely associated with “hippy hop,” using the phrase not just as a label but as a statement of identity. As he continued to evolve as an artist, he kept refining what “hippy hop” meant, always staying true to its roots while pushing boundaries. In interviews, he often reflected on how he first coined “hippy hop,” highlighting the moment as a turning point in his creative journey.
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