Press:

“Anthony “Wordsmith” Parker’s goal of uplifting the masses through positive hip-hop took him abroad to Haiti (where widespread unrest cut his tour and youth songwriting workshops short), the Baltic states, Angola and Ukraine this year. The rapper also dropped both the Baltimore club-inspired “Baltimore Revisited” EP and “Rewind the Mixtape (2006-2018),” which compiled “a bunch of records from early on in my career that just were on a bunch of different mixtapes floating around on the internet," he said. His four-on-the-floor-hitting “Energy" even appeared on ESPN’s “First Take.””
Sameer Rao - Baltimore Sun

“Check out our First Take Spotify playlist to hear music from this month's featured artists: KB, 24kGoldn and Wordsmith!”
Kevin Wilson - ESPN Music

“Cassidy puts on the doctor's clothes and headphones, then tasks the elevator to the front door bumping Wordsmith's "Talking to the Most High"”
AMC TV - Preacher

“The musician stressed that a well interpreted work can help in the pacification of minds, social disagreements and unity, as well as creates space for reflection for citizens.”
ANGOP

“With the performance of American hip-hop artist Wordsmith, the open-air concert season has opened with one of Riga's most vibrant cultural venues - the Kalnciema Street Quarter, which promises a variety of styles this summer, including jazz, rock and even experimental music. Linda”
ITV Panorama

“These days, Valmiera, Riga, Jelgava and Rezekne host musical masterclasses for young people by a rapper from the United States - Wordsmith and his accompanying band. And the artist joined us in the studio to tell us more.”
Rita Panorama - Latvian National Television

“During the May 13-18 visit to Latvia, Wordsmith will perform in Valmiera, Riga, Jelgava and Rezekne. The Baltimore based rapper will also provide master classes for the students in Riga, Valmiera, Jelgava and Rezekne. The concerts are organized in partnership with the local culture centers in Valmiera, Jelgava and Rezekne, as well as with local youth center in Riga.”
TBT Staff - The Baltic Times

“And would hepster Manhattanites really be playing a Nilsson song from 1971 at a party, alongside the modernist 21st century likes of the rapper Wordsmith, Cass McCombs, the EDM act Vaffamix and Pussy Riot? “I do think that was on point,” says music supervisor Rose. “I can definitely see them playing Nilsson at that party.” Possibly forever.”
Chris Wilman - Variety

“The initiative “Beethoven 2020” celebrates the 250th anniversary of the German composer’s birth, and will close the 2020 season. The shows include Baltimore-based rapper Wordsmith performing Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” and a piece by Indian-American composer Reena Esmail.”
Charlie Wright - Bethesda Magazine

“Wordsmith, his real name Anthony Parker, rapper and American entrepreneur, went to Haiti for a stay of one week. Objective: to meet, from February 3 to 9, youth groups in different neighborhoods of the capital, promote non-violence and encourage young people to set goals in their lives.”
Raoul Lorfils - Loop Haiti

“The series of concerts, slated to begin in December, will include Alsop conducting the BSO June 11-14, 2020. Those performances will feature a new translation of “Ode to Joy” by Baltimore-based rapper Wordsmith, along with a new work by Indian-American composer Reena Esmail and additional music from other Baltimore artists.”
Chris Kaltenbach - The Baltimore Sun

“This unique rapper and his band will perform in Azerbaijan for the first time through the US Department of State’s Arts Envoy Program, which brings prominent American musicians to countries throughout the world to foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.”
Trend News - Trend News Agency

““The Year’s Most Exceptional Music Projects Nominated In The 16th annual Independent Music Awards Reeve Carney, Harriet, Death Valley High, Eh440, Jane Siberry, Jackknife Stiletto, Dan Zanes, Fiona Joy, Next To None, Taylor Grey, Esprit d’Air, Wordsmith, Rozina Pátkai, Karim Baggili, Air Traffic Controller, Ganda Boys, Amiss O.mega (featuring Snoop Dogg) and The Bankesters Among The 16th IMA Nominees””
Martin Folkman - Independent Music Awards

“A Baltimore hip-hop artist brings his rhymes to Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland. Through hip-hop and classical music, Wordsmith uses his talents to bring a unique musical mash-up.”
Barbara Harrison - NBC 4 Washington

“Classical music institutions routinely get charged with being stuck in ruts, overly focused on repeating old repertoire over and over, skittish about stretching boundaries. The latest Baltimore Symphony Orchestra program, full of rapping and pounding, practically shouts, “What ruts? What boundaries?””
Tim Smith - The Baltimore Sun

“Baltimore musician Wordsmith had a banner year in 2017, and he shows no signs of slowing down for 2018. In July, he released his new album, Perspective Jukebox, which features the single “The Statement.” In the coming days, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will also feature his hip-hop narration for Camille Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of Animals.”
John Soltes - Hollywood Soapbox

“Marin Alsop, the BSO’s music director, brings the piece into the 21st century by collaborating with Baltimore hip-hop artist Wordsmith. The rapper and entrepreneur makes music from a place of purpose, working to offer audiences a strong motivational message free from profanity and geared toward listeners of all ages. His style and his intended meaning are a spot-on complement to “Carnival of the Animals.” Rounding out the program, the symphony turns to two crowd favorites–Debussy’s “La Mer” and Ravel’s “La Valse.” By mixing French classics with modern American musical masters like Glass and Wordsmith, “It’s one of the best programs I’ve seen at the BSO,” Wyman said.”
Vanessa Mallory Kotz - The Culture Spot

“Words that come to mind for 2016 are enlightening, humbling and full of purpose. I didn’t release an album in 2016 as I spent most of the year touring domestically/internationally. The word preparation comes to mind in regards to 2017 as I look forward to releasing my new album “Perspective Jukebox” on July 21st.”
Leah Brungardt - All Access Music

“At the Morgan State University Sound Off Live! Stage (Mount Royal Avenue near Lafayette), check out Wordsmith (Saturday 2-3 p.m.), a rapper and musician who will perform with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra next season, and Super City (Sunday, 1-2 p.m.) a indie quintet made up of Towson University grads.”
Gabriella Souza - Baltimore Magazine

“This dude does not get the recognition he deserves, but he has definitely been putting his fair share of work in. Whether or not you follow Wordsmith, you’ll notice here that he has been all about finding peace and centering himself recently. This new project helps translate all of that energy into something extraordinary, as he reminds us ‘to follow through with the promises we make to family and friends’, on the album’s lead single, “The Promise”.”
Buddy Nelson - Jamsphere

“This rap artist isn’t what you would find all over the radio. His raps are not filled with drugs, sex, and foul language. His songs are substantial and about things most people deal with from time to time.”
Bruce Maxwell - Skope Magazine

“Outstanding Achievement In Songwriting Hip Hop/R&B Category”
Steve Cahill - The Great American Contest

“Under the theme 'The Power of Self Love', Wordsmith and Uncle GEP will deliver live music and messages to address the issue of gender-based violence (GBV). The group is also expected to give interactive master classes to Namibian art students and other local artists at Swakopmund and at the College of the Arts in Windhoek.”
Staff Reporter - Namibian Sun

“As part of The Baltimore Sun's Fall Arts Guide, reporters and critics picked 10 up-and-comers whose names you should get to know. See the full list here. Wordsmith, 36, rapper When Wordsmith, the Mount Vernon-based artist born Anthony Parker, began writing rhymes, they were filled with four-letter...”
Wesley Case - Baltimore Sun Newspaper

“HOLLIDAYSBURG is a coming-of-age comedy about finding love, and the thrilling first moments of adulthood. When high school friends reunite over their first holiday break during college, they discover just how much they have changed while their town of Hollidaysburg has stayed the same. Within hours of his return, former prom king Scott (Tobin Mitnick) is dumped by his miserable girlfriend, discovers his parents have sold his childhood home, and has to prepare to say goodbye to Hollidaysburg forever. Meanwhile Scott's friend and quasi "kid sister" Tori (Rachel Keller) is in agony after spending unending hours with her embarrassing family. But when Scott and Tori reunite, an unlikely romance blossoms. (C) Starz”
Starz Network - Holidaysburg

““Not a lot of artists truly embrace being a role model, I love it and I am willing to help bring a positive word, message and vibe. I know my purpose and I am living my dream.” —Wordsmith If the riots taught us anything, it’s that the city needs new leadership and a younger voice that relates to what the younger generation is going through and can speak their language. “These kids are really looking for something that really speaks to them and not forced fed to them like today’s music. My music, my words are about positivity [with] a message of hope and dreams. We need to let people know it’s okay to dream [and not allow] anyone tell you, you can’t,” said Wordsmith.”
Phinesse Demps - The Baltimore Times

“This is perhaps the first hip hop concept album I’ve ever heard—each song is supposed to represent a moment in the day in the life a blue-collar American worker, from “It’s 5am Smell The Roses,” to “Traffic Jammin.” Rapping about working hard for not enough pay (“Living Life Check to Check”) and hustlin’ through an unfair world (“When Your Faith is Tested”), the relatability through lyrics is the foundation of The Blue Collar Recital.”
Kia McGinnis - Slug Magazine

“Wordsmith's last album was a refreshingly positive rap album inspired by the birth of his son Kingston. He's been moving further in that direction for a while now, progressively getting closer to the kind of unitarian love exhibited by rap singers like Michael Franti. "The Blue Collar Recital" is no exception to that rule. There are plenty of things in the world that anger him, frustrated him or upset him in this world, but as "When Your Faith Is Tested" illustrates, he's even able to find meaning in senseless tragedies like the Newtown massacre:”
Steve 'Flash' Juon - Rap Reviews

“Wordsmith is a very skilled rapper. He has a nice flow, an aggressive delivery, introspective subject matter, solid lyricism and raps over pretty good production for the most part. He reminds me a little bit of a young Talib Kweli, and definitely could develop a solid underground hip-hop following, but tracks like “Never Be the Same” and “On My Job” even show flashes of mainstream potential. The posse cut, “Generation X,” for instance, features a pretty memorable hook as well as a pretty dope verse from fellow Maryland emcee Substantial.”
Zach Gase - Okayplayer

“Wordsmith's latest release, "King Noah", serves as a musical time capsule for his one year old son Kingston Noah Parker...”
Samantha Ward - Performer Magazine

“In the vein of hip-hop greats like Gang Starr and Talib Kweli, Wordsmith is an MC with a social message to deliver. A breathe of fresh air in these days where most hip hop lyrics celebrate material excess, Wordsmith’s endeavor to promote social values is commendable.”
Will Durkin - MP3.com

“This is a storyteller concerned with other things than violence and degrading women. There’s varied guitar moments, there’s a lot of narration, but mostly there’s a continued commitment to an aesthetic that ties the whole thing together.”
Steven Spoerl - Pop Matters

“With his new album, King Noah, Baltimore MC Wordsmith has set out to erase any resemblance of an average Rap album with his boom-bap beats meeting acoustic, alternative, and pop instrumentation. It’s an interesting gamble to take on your second solo release, but Wordsmith is all about gambling and taking chances on what he enthusiastically calls “blue collar music.””
JP - AllHiphop.com

“This album is literally a dedication to Wordsmith's recently born song Kingston Noah, with an intro before the title track explaining that numerological coincidences abounded when he was brought forth on the Earth. Even without those coincidences, any father will tell you that bringing a son or daughter into the world is a life changing event, putting all of your priorities into a totally different focus. It hasn't changed Wordsmith's focus on being a musician though - it just enhanced it. Wordsmith is already an unconventional emcee who purposefully decided to ignore modern day trends, "Bridging the Gap" to days gone by to record an album with hip-hop legend Chubb Rock. There's nothing nihilistic or excessively indulgent about Wordsmith - he's all about the "Essence of Life"”
Steve Juon - Rap Reviews