Interviews

Published on August 30th, 2014 | by Jameelah "Just Jay" Wilkerson

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Shank: “Pretty Soon I’ll Be Famous…”

How did you discover your musical talent?

I discovered my talent for music at a very young age. My mom was a huge part of that influence. Music was first introduced to me in traditional Indian style, movies with songs and a lot of classical music as well. As I grew up, I was introduced to Hip-Hop in elementary school…I don’t think I’ll ever forget the day! We were in art class and we were using magazine clippings to create a project. I was flipping through a Time Magazine when I saw an article on Eminem, and the problems he was having with his mother. This sparked my interest and I quickly accumulated CDs, and ever since then Hip-Hop has influenced my life.

Who have been your greatest inspirations musically and why?

My greatest inspirations musically would have to be Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and Drake. I feel like they have love for the music and the way it sounds more than the rewards they get for making that music, and that is very admirable.

What do you feel you offer the music industry that we don’t already have in other performers?

From a business standpoint, I offer you an untapped “market.” I am an “Indian Rapper!” How many of those do you know? And out of the ones you know, how many of them spit like me? Not only are Indians they’re eager to be more “American,” but I also give all the Indian people here in America someone to relate to, someone to look up to (and/or) someone to listen to. I also offer you “real” music, not the same repetitive garbage we hear on the radio! I’m bringing a new sound and new energy, that I think is vital for the game, and could honestly even change it.

Have you encountered any problems in getting to this point in your career?

Yes, of course! But, I feel like you’re supposed to have problems, nothing easy is ever worth it. When we do come across a problem we do not back down, and that’s something I can say about myself as well as the rest of my team. We learn from our mistakes and try to perfect this art.

What do you want people to get from your music?

I want people to get that Hip-Hop is very much alive. I am walking proof of it! I was born in India, I moved here at the age of 2 and Hip-Hop raised me. I want people to get that there aren’t any barriers that you can’t break. If I can get the world to love me like they loved the greats before me, I feel like it gives this generation of immigrants, as well as children that don’t fit in, something to look up to.

When can we expect some new music from you?

I am currently working on my EP; Controlled Substance. I want to drop it in the next month or two, but I really want this project to be perfect and I’m taking my time with it. I also have a mix-tape in the works, and will be releasing tracks from it periodically over the next few weeks on my SoundCloud.

What has been your greatest achievement so far?

My greatest achievement so far would have to be performing at South By Southwest (SXSW). The atmosphere was unreal, and to be able to say that I was able to perform at such a prestigious music festival is something I really hold high.

If you could collaborate with one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Right now, I would have to say Biggie Smalls! The man was just too smooth on the instrumentals. I feel like me and BIggie could make some heat that the streets would love.

If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?

(The) Coachella (Valley Music And Arts Festival), because it’s COACHELLA! It would be unreal to be able to perform at Coachella, growing up and hearing about it but not being able to even go yet — That would definitely be the venue I would choose the most!

One track of yours that you think defines you and why?

The track I think that defines me the most would be “My Name Is,” the Ty Fyffe produced single [http://youtu.be/bQMLSzj2E-w] I recently released. In the three verses, I give you a different side of me in each one. If you listened to that track, you would completely understand the type of person I am.

Is there anything I left out that you’d like to mention? And finally, any parting “message(s)” for our readers?

Please go follow me on Twitter: @shankranga!

Interviewed By: Hype Staff



About the Author

Publisher and CEO of The Hype Magazine. Follow me on Twitter @HypeJustJay


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