IN DEPTH with Rapper ShayJToday - SMART CHAT series - LV CONVERSATIONS.
This conversation is one of many that has truly confirmed for me that our so-called ‘Millennials’ are anything but prey to bad habits and a short attention span. If anything, perhaps the exposure to tech has encouraged them to evolve at a much faster pace creatively (and personally/professionally) in terms of insight and self awareness.
ShayJToday was born in St. Mary's Georgia (small city outside of Savannah Georgia) and raised in Riviera Beach Florida (aka Palm Beach County). He now currently lives in ATLANTA, Georgia. This in depth conversation took place on an Insta chat - the first in a series of ‘Smart Chats'. Why not.
Why did you choose a philosophical approach to rap and music?
I would have to say my influences played a great role musically. At the same time, my family and the culture where I'm from plays a role too. One of the first music videos I came across was Scarface's “never seen a man cry" and it blew my mind! I was also a part of a club in high school under a civil rights organization in the past where I witnessed Congressman John Lewis speak. He talked about having a voice and using it to make a difference. Back then I used to just rap for fun and attention. But that made me realise I can truly reach people through what I do and that it is a gift.
In high school I had a couple of direct inspirations. First was my older brother. He was known in school for rapping and was very popular to the point I was overshadowed as "Kario's little brother”. But he quit pursuing rap which hurt me because I believed in him so much (and I still believe in him). But I started to take it seriously back then just to show him where it could go, and in time I ended up falling deeper in love with the craft.
My rapping became popular in high school and the old clips you see of me in 'Ghetto Geppetto' are actually from that time. I had a vision way back then that I would use the footage in the future for something related to music. Being into TV production since elementary school, I would check out a camera on a random friday and record myself freestyling during lunch with friends.
How did you fit in amongst your peers?
As far as my peers go, I have had conflicts with that growing up all the time. I used to try to fit in with friends and family but it never worked out for me. By the time I was in high school I gave up on trying to fit in and focused more on standing out or being the best me I can be. Sure, I had my moments where I compared myself to others, and I've even been envious of people too...but that was when I did not know my worth. So I compared myself to evaluate where I thought I stood. In the end I learned that none of that matters. It's all about being the best me I can be. I believe in actions, and that's what I use to inspire others to be great. By focusing on being the best version of myself.
Where do you see yourself fitting into in terms of a 'genre' of rap? Is there a style you identify with more than any other? And can you also name a few of those artists who are your biggest current influencers?
I personally don't care much about fitting in when it comes to rap groups, however I am honoured when my name is mentioned amongst or in comparison to great MC's in my eyes. I say this because even if I relate to an artist via similar sounds (lyrical, etc.) I may not relate or share the same views as those rappers personally.
Before I go on, I have to mention that musically at first all I knew was down south/west coast music. I have musical influences and I have rap heroes too. But currently I would say… OutKast, The Pharcyde, Scarface, Common, ATCQ, Slum Village, Erykah Badu, Lil Wayne, Devin the Dude...just to name a few lol. My top 3 influences of all time would have to be Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, and 2Pac. All of these people had a common thread; plenty of heart. It shined from each and every one of them in their own way. Allen Iverson is an honorable mention lol!
In your opinion, where does influence end, and individual creativity begin? Or do they overlap and appear in concert with one another? How is it possible for an artist to separate artistic influence from their own expression?
Everyone starts off as a skeleton of their direct influence, however once you find your own identity, I believe one is able to find their true voice in their artistic expression. I live by something that Lauryn Hill said in an interview once. She said that there is a time to Live, and them there's a time to create. It's a great big cycle. It's more about an artists preference and ability to make it happen. Like Lauryn, I prefer to take in my experiences and let them come to me in time. To separate artistic influence from our own expression can be tough starting off unless you're Bobby McFerrin, lol (that man is pure individuality).
I suppose I'm curious about identity and influence and how they converge continually and what separates them. How do you feel about it being said / argued that hip hop or a culture is appropriated by people who have no 'reference' to it? A theme I'm looking at is cultural influence and cultural appropriation.
This is why paying dues is so important. I think cultural appropriation is only thrown at people when people use customs from another culture yet don't know the history of the culture itself. That to me is the common thread of any problem when it comes to appropriation of any culture. On the other hand, some people just get mad and throw terms out just to have a fit. But I can see how it insults people who lived the culture (and that applies to anything).
It's a two way street. I can be wrong but I tend to see the grey areas more these days. People get mad over the simplest s#!t nowadays, yet I see how not respecting the cultural customs can actually be offensive. But to me it takes both ends to be flexible for it not to become a problem. From older people who are culturally inclined, to loosen up on their views, and people new to the culture to respect what came before them, even if there is a lack of knowledge.
Fabulous answer. LV is all about the grey area. There's so much more to the clear cut positions put forth. I am curious about how we can meander around these. Negotiate such strict ways of being and thinking. How do you want your music to influence? Your art? What kind of change or impact do you want it to engender?
I just had a talk with someone today on this same topic. They said that strict cultural values are like the titanic; it takes a long time to change direction. So it will take a while but eventually they'll get there. It's just that sometimes we forget about the journey (especially in hip-hop). I touch on this a bit in the trailer I released for my next album. My music is solely to inspire people to grow. For now that is my focus. It won't always be. Different projects may represent different facets of my life in the moment. I may make a party album after this. Who knows. But I can only speak for here and now. How I want it to inspire? In a good way, I hope! (lol) but how It inspires people doesn't matter to me. Just to be inspiring is the most important thing. I've come to realise, that is my purpose in this world. To inspire. Hopefully it prompts people to focus more on themselves. To become a better version of themselves. We often call out problems in the world but we can only control ourselves in the end. So why not focus on "YOU?”. It's the most important thing towards making the world a better place.
Not everyone learns how to focus on themselves early on. You were lucky to get that bolt of lightening. Self realisation is very powerful right?
Self realization is so important. There is a quote that my moms (I gotta say "moms," forgive me lol) lives by. She says to "Define yourself, before the world tries to define you.” I never forgot it after she mentioned that. Before I chose to attempt to really step out into rap I spent a lot of time focusing on who I really am. I did not want to take any major full steps in this game without that realisation because I've heard and seen so many stories of people trying to find themselves after the success/fame etc. It’s scary. I love evolution. Was I lucky? I don’t know. Blessed I guess. I grew up around a grandmother (Alice Rolle - I swear I say her name in almost every song) who was very clairvoyant and full of wisdom. So was my dad and many others in my family.
Paradoxically the world does help to define us. With all its influences. But I get what she's saying. Your ‘Moms' is wise! It is such a useful insight - to know yourself before putting out the work. You can at times learn about yourself whilst putting your work out there. What's next for ShayJToday?
For me, it's all about my next album. It's titled "val{you}." planned for release in 2017.
How do you see content and your brand engagement in the midst of all this capacity to influence?
The thing about my album is that it's bigger than music. I'm actually pushing an idea. That will be explained more once the album drops and is heard. Just from releasing "Ghetto Geppetto" I've had complete strangers reach out to me like never before. And it is still happening now and the song has barely been out a few weeks. Young kids have poured their hearts out to me saying how much they relate to the song alone. And this is just the tip of the iceberg - musically speaking. Social media can be positive but I also see how it can be almost detrimental. Like a necessary evil that is also a helpful tool. That movie “Her" pops into my mind every time I think of social media.
Thanks for taking the time. Before we finish … I'm on episode 8 of 'Atlanta’. I adore it. No spoilers! What did you think of it?
That's awesome. Atlanta is a direct representation of Atlanta and the writing was on point. Some of the things in the show are direct depictions of people.
All photos by Tyler Bertram.
