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- » Location: BROOKLYN, New York
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- » Hotter Than July (Rhyme & Reason)
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- » The Secret: Rhyme & Reason
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9/11 • best lyricist • brooklyn • deal music • distraction music • dreams • entertainment industry • hip hop • hotter than july • mixtape • n-word • papoose • racism • rap • saigon • say something • sha stimuli • stack bundles • stevie wonder • stimuli • the clipse • the juice crew • the underground music awards • the wire • tip • uma • wrap up
Legalize Stimuli
Is Hip Hop Influential or Entertaining?
I wrote one of these bloggy things last week talking about my experience at the Million DJ March in DC. My entry seemed a little too one-sided with bitterness for me to put it out so I will just say that I was there, I performed and the footage is available somewhere online. Thanks to PMP worldwide for helping me out and showing me love on the site and thanks to my team as well. DJ Victorious and I are almost finished the “Election Edition” of March on Washington and if we can get it done by the end of this week then it will be available October 21st. I honestly don't know if I can do it but I'm having a miserably fun time trying.
Anyway tonight I am opening up for Kardinal Offishall at SOBs in NYC. It should be a good one, come support if you can. 2 days ago I was privileged enough to be a featured guest on Lisa Evers radio show on Hot 97 FM, Street Soldiers. The topic was concerning the youth of today and who's responsible for their lack of education. The candidates were hip-hop, parents, the streets, movies, etc. I didn't do too bad considering I was next to a Pulitzer Prize winning author and school teacher and another teacher from Jersey. Hip-hop was of course the #1 target and I didn't come there to defend it. I came to explore what we can do to fix the problem rather than battle with opinionated people that would rather point to a genre of music and blame it as the cancer of our society. Music is more of a symptom than it is a disease.
The environments that the artists grow up in cause them to pen their experiences and the listeners who haven't lived it have a choice to be influenced or simply entertained. The truth is there are so many negative images out there from reality TV to violent video games to movies and of course there are rap songs that degrade women and praise negativity. There are also parents that don't know what their children are doing; teachers that only desire a paycheck, neighbors that turn their head to wrongdoings and siblings and peers that guide decisions of our youth everyday. We can all look inside ourselves and see what our influences were and still are today. Rap music put me in a mood when I was younger depending on what I listened to. And yes we did have a phase of Malcolm X paraphernalia and African medallions that was inspired by hip-hop and Spike Lee's movement but it is so far removed today that these kids wouldn't accept anything close to that now. Who's to blame for radio not pushing the artists with a message in the same light they push the ignorance. I've said it before but this time I'm done focusing on what hip-hop is doing and what radio or the labels are not doing. If the kids of today are not learning and the parents of today do not care or are clueless in how to raise their children then it is foolish to blame an actor or an entertainer or a culture. Someone has to take responsibility for their actions.
For every negative verse I spew out there I can guarantee I put out 5 records with depth or meaning that can inspire or change a life. As an artist without a deal you're encouraged to make a hit. As an artist with a deal you're pressured to make a hit. As a human with a purpose and a voice you are fortunate to be able to reach people and that is something I do not take for granted.
While I was on the air someone called up and said that his boy got 20 years in prison because of a robbery inspired by D-Block's music. Luckily Styles P was listening and called up to defend himself. He stated that he knows his music is violent but he also pointed out that when he did the record "I'm Black" which was a crazy joint that he couldn't get any spins. For some reason his record "I Get High" was probably his biggest single. It makes me think there's a conspiracy to destroy this genre altogether. That's a whole ‘nother story but Styles became very passionate speaking about the world many artists grow up in and the influences surrounding today's youth that have nothing to do with a D-Block record. He pointed out the fact that artists like Talib Kweli, Common and Dead Prez don't get the same amount of airplay as some of the music that is considered harmful. And he's right. I posed the question to Lisa about the last record Hot 97 spun that was saying something. She mentioned Kanye and it seems he may be alone in that realm. Artists have made attempts but the rotation that sinks into our brains and becomes second nature is what these kids are reciting. I think T-pain and Lil Wayne are phenomenal artists but I also think there are more voices out there that need to be heard. I guess we could go on all day on this topic.
I could blab a bunch of points but the real issue is coming up with something helpful. As my popularity grows look for me to do what I can. I'm no angel or preachy rap guy, I'm not even a parent but I know how much rap music shaped me as a kid so I would like to help make a change...or die trying.
Verses the World may be out before the new March on Washington or it may not. I love controlling my own destiny. 6 more CDs to go and in my mind I may not be able to top the cohesiveness and emotion of the Stevie CD but I'm gonna continue on because I do have more to say. Stay tuned.
We Did It Again!
Well we did it folks! On Sunday night I brought home my 2nd underground music award. This time I won Best Male Rapper; last year I won Best Lyricist. Thank you to everyone that voted for me, I appreciate the love and support. It feels wonderful because I didn't do the same push that I did last year but I was still able to win. I feel truly blessed to be awarded for giving out so much music this year, I’m very fortunate. I'd like to shout some of the other winners, Skyzoo, The League, Donny Goines, RU1, Nikki Minaj, Rain, Drawzilla, Nikal Fieldz, Amadeus and everyone even nominated. My team has changed a little bit in a year and as an artist I feel like I've grown more, learned a lot but still with every accolade or mixtape released people ask what's next. I ask myself that as well.
I mentioned being drained last time. I believe mentally the Stevie CD took a lot out of me. I expected something like that to go very far and show folks I may be the "best male rapper" but I'm also an artist that does music. I guess what I'm saying is it was hard to find motivation to do 6 more CDs without feeling like people are calling for it or appreciating it. For example, I hosted AZ's mixtape release party last Thursday. It was a crazy event, lots of folks came out, all the performers did their thing and as I introduced the acts I warmed the crowd up and kept them entertained. Although they came to see AZ and Sadat they still yelled for me to spit something. After about 6 performers I decided to do 3 songs for them real quick and with the feeling of desire from the audience it got me excited in a supply-demand sort of way. AZ and I kicked it for awhile, Sadat and myself share the same alma mater so we built on that (niggas go to school and it’s ok) and most importantly I made some new fans.
I celebrated my born day last Saturday mostly on some family shit. I was human for like 24 hours, shout to LG, Bonsu Thompson and my brother Lord Digga, oh and my nephew too. I partied a tad bit, good lookin’ out to Mister Fame, Musaic management, Vic, The Carnegie group and Liquid for helping me celebrate and holding me down this year. Not only did I get a cake on stage during hosting Thursday which made me feel all weird inside but I got another one at the party with my logo on it. Through it all I kept the thug face ‘cause that's what it’s all about people.
I think I was making a point about demand for product before I drifted off and saying that I wasn't sure where I stood in that regards. I do get emails and messages and random humans in the street asking what's next and I have been writing a bunch of stuff in preparation. But I have to be honest, with finishing up this EP, still working on Cinderella Man, possibly re-releasing March on Washington with new songs and features and still wanting people to actually BUY Thee Emotion Picture I think I may have lost my mind in the process. On the flipside though, I have a bunch to say and with Bernie Mac passing and Isaac Hayes' death once again my fear of leaving kicked in and what was going to be a break turned into what maybe 2 CDs in the next few weeks since I'm supposedly behind. I'm not going to disclose too much but Verses the World is how I'm feeling today (I know it’s versus). Victorious and I are back in the lab working on March so if any of my cohorts heard any song on the 1st March on Washington that you would like to spit a verse on feel free to hit me up.
Speaking of Marches, at the Million DJ March in Washington DC on august 30th, Sha Stimuli will be performing and I'm honestly happy about that. Shout to Esso and A Shaw. Come see me do what I do as we march for I don't know turntable rights or something but the DJs are the backbone of this industry and in one season they can change the whole climate. If I can be a part of that change because I do miss records with substance on the radio then God help me. Check for new interviews on PMP Worldwide and Loud.com…can I say that? And don’t forget Hotter Than July is still available on myspace if you would like a hard copy for your collection. I’m still trying to get to Stevie himself.
-The Present
WWW.MYSPACE.COM/SHASTIMULI
Hotter Than July (Rhyme & Reason)
When I finished recording Hotter Than July I was hoping that I had made something people could identify with as humans dealing with experience or as lovers of lyrics and concepts and thirdly as fans of Stevie Wonder's sound. DJ Victorious and I came up with different ways to attack each beat and in the end came out pretty crazy. It was like making an album in less than 2 months. Clams Casino is my hero. I never imagined most of the backdrop for a Stevie CD would come from a kid not old enough to get in my release parties and of a whole nother persuasion than the artist he was sampling from. I guess that's my prejudice huh? I need to listen to March On Washington again.
The idea to do this Steveland CD was one I had years ago and actually made an attempt at. Unfortunately my team wasn't where it is today and my focus wasn't there. Two close friends reinforced the idea; one of them even came up with the title. I was still skeptical since that was late May that I decided to do it but after alerting Clams and Vic of the plan things just started to fall into place. The word "masterpiece" is one I'm hearing in regards to the CD and usually I take credit away from myself but this time I would have to agree with folks. I mean I poured my heart for 14 tracks ranging from domestic abuse, drug use and depression to Christianity, infidelity and love. And I did it without profanity. I guess that's why I'm poppin shit a little bit today.
I've gotten messages from the thuggiest of thugs and the toughest of critics saying they enjoyed this CD and knowing we slipped in a few slow Stevie songs that's saying a lot. Of course I feel like we could’ve used better selections to sample from and some beats did not get used although they were hot. Some Stevie songs also didn't get touched because…well honestly Clams was the main producer and if he didn't do it then most of them just didn't match up. I was sending this kid songs to sample and hours later he was throwing back powerful sounding tracks and 2 versions sometimes. He freaked "Isn't she lovely?” and “Sir Duke” but the songs I wrote were a little too happy for this disc.
-Lately
Not that happy is bad because I got a few calls after people heard my version of “Lately” produced by J.Cardim thinking I should be on suicide watch. I thought that was funny. I wanted to just sound as if I was really a person at a place in life where you're ready for the next level in your career but you’re not really sure what that level is. Like if I blow up does it matter? Was all of this time I worked and went without what people call success worth what's in front of me? Or should I just go start my family now and stop trying to make a top ten emcee list when the words I'm putting out now pretty much crush who's on there anyway. This is where I'm sure other emcees are at some point in their life so I just jot it down and spit it out.
-Ribbon in the sky
Being compared to others comes with the territory in this business and ever since I started making mixtapes I've been grouped with others doing what I do. Some have gone on to stardom, some have disappeared and everyday it feels like there's some new rap guys peeping the formula for notoriety outside of radio or a major label and pushing the envelope to get more buzz. And if they have a punchline in their body someone will probably compare them to what I've been doing and I'm cool with that. Well maybe I'm not. For the most part I think they are some great rappers, lyricists, marketing geniuses whatever you want to call it that get more press and exposure than I do for whatever reason. I take nothing away from them but when interviewers ask "why aren't you as far as this guy?" Or "why don't you do a song with him?" it bugs me sometimes. What's even more annoying is having people call you and point out similarities from some other artist as if they’re influenced by me when they know I can't accept that nor do I have enough ego to admit that. So with all that said there was a day when you felt an emcee had a purpose, whether it was to educate, stay out of jail, feed his family, be the best, get money, say something or if you're like me you combine all those add a fear of dying early and you know why I feel like a different class of artist. Today I feel like a lot of folks are just doing it ‘cause they can or to get hot or ‘cause they can get beats or whatever their reason is I don't care. What I do care about is that I let it be known. I'm a venter, sue me.
-Redemption
I use the same voice to brag and say some things to move people any chance I get. I wanted “Redemption” to be my way of painting a picture of what goes on around us. A child using his pen to get out his frustration, a locked up father using his writing to try to get his son to change and a young girl putting all her pain from her stepfather's abuse in her diary to help her get through every day. I thought about releasing all the things we endure in life and how fortunate I am to have a talent to write and even better to be heard. I wanted to let the world know I don't take that for granted and that anyone can get their feelings out with their words.
-These 3 Words
I think this was the most complex record on here for me. I sent the original song to Clams but I had no clue what he would come back with. After I heard the up-tempo joint he pulled off I figured I could spew some crap about telling your loved ones how you feel about them. Victorious heard the beat and said I should be a funny heartbreaker on it. He wanted me to tell girlfriends and friends that I couldn’t say the L word and keep it light. I was going to shut him down but I instantly got this image in my head of a girl wanting me to say the words "I love you" and a story developed and soon thereafter I transitioned the song into a deeper more meaningful record and I wrote the hook in the booth which is really backwards for me but I think it tied everything together. My mother's favorite song by the way.
-Knocks Me Off…
Victorious thought we needed a straight up love song in typical Stevie Wonder fashion but I just can't do straight up predictable records. Clams however did a crazy rendition of “Knocks me off my Feet” that was a little too fast so I asked him to slow it down. As soon as he did I came up with 2 verses about a single mother I was considering going further with and an ex that needed to leave me alone. It’s my announcement that I can say the 3 words successfully.
It’s still not that easy actually, but I'm learning. I really do think about losing those close to me or leaving the earth and not saying what I feel. I also think about where we go afterwards and Heaven was born.
-Heaven
Roland Dice did this beat and he will get mad if I divulge his true identity, maybe because he hasn't learned drum programming or he fears backlash but let's just say this beat was an inside job. It automatically made me reflect on all the places I thought heaven could be and I evaluated my views on Christianity and spirituality and most importantly what I call "heaven on earth". I feel like I try to acknowledge heaven every day and my 3rd verse embodies what I mean. Heaven is probably my favorite song lyrically, it’s pretty thought provoking. It makes me think about all Stevie has done musically and if he would trade all his success and talent for a chance to see. Would that be heaven for him or is he already living it?
As for me, 6 discs in and I’m honestly exhausted, I was working on that EP in July and I’m not sure when I’m dropping it or what disc is actually next. I do know I need Hotter Than July to live for a minute because it drained my inspiration and I think it deserves room to breathe. People are concerned if I’m going to continue and I appreciate the concern, I didn’t know what I was capable until I pushed myself. Stay tuned because this is a rare occurrence that you see something like this go down. I’ve blabbed enough; on the 7th I host AZ’s mixtape release at Knitting Factory in NYC. My born day is on the 9th, I may party, I might not and on the 10th are the Underground Music Awards; if I win you win.
myspace.com/shastimuli
Hotter Than July, Stevie Wonder!
I honestly started writing this entry about 3 weeks ago, I never finished and I kept coming back to it and changing it because the things I was talking about didn’t make any sense after awhile. I finally decided to finish today regardless of what the hell I ramble about. I was supposed to talk about my video, a show I did, Young Buck’s phone call, G-Unit’s sales compared to Lil Wayne’s, Jesse Jackson’s haterism and a whole bunch of other crap but I don’t even have the attention span to write it so I don’t expect anyone to sit and read it. This will be part one of my Hotter Than July entry, next time I’ll go more into depth about the CD.
I just signed a deal to do a digital EP, which is a six song release for those that don’t know. That is supposed to serve as one of my joints for this year so I have to map that out because I will need y'all to support for real…like buying it. I have a few labels urging me to stop the mixtape run for fear that if they sign me that consumers will be confused and feel like I'm too accessible. Wayne was able to create enough anticipation for his album to sell "A Millie" in the 1st week all because people believe in him and respect his talent. He overexposed himself and actually became a better rapper then made hot records. He even did a song that made 700 other rappers jump on the beat to attempt to outdo him and each other. Who killed the Millie beat the most? That's what I've been hearing the last few weeks. I don't know how I managed to stay away from it. In one sense, hip-hop isn't dead, Wayne sold records! Yay! In another sense the rest of the game is trying to sound like each other, the labels are losing money and artists such as myself have been deemed "up and coming" for like forever. Congrats to Maino for breaking through with a record that is catchy and relevant.
I think there are too many rules for rap guys nowadays. I hear the phrase "you gotta do" a little too much. I heard a Joe Budden song called "Who" and he's really goin’ in about what killed hip-hop. I think it’s a crazy introspective record that captures a lot of what we talk about when a bunch of us former hip-hop lovers get together. The only crazy thing is that I'm so exhausted talking about what's wrong I don't know if it’s wrong anymore. When I did the song, “Is it me?” (see NY State of Mine) I did the same thing. I spoke on the ills and blatant flaws in the industry, called names and made light of it all. The term hater has made anyone with an opinion feel like...well...a hater.
I've said this before, if you don't like Kobe Bryant then that's your opinion but if you say he's wack then that's just not factual. The same doesn't really work for music. I can put words together, switch flows, make records that move people and still be considered wack whether I sell records or not.
I heard Fab was on the radio calling out NY rappers or saying NY fell off or something like that. Every interview they ask about the state of hip-hop and I'm supposed to give some profound answer about what we need to do to get back to ‘94 or ‘96 or even ‘99. The most frightening thing is that my time machine is broken and I did a mixtape called NY State of Mine 2 years ago that touched on all of that stuff. What I mean is we can't go backwards and as much as I miss the days when I anticipated albums and radio had diversity and labels weren't focused on selling records fast and hit singles, the reality is things are just different. We are a very complex genre based on authenticity and street credibility yet we praise exaggeration on records and unrealistic portrayal of life in videos. Was it ever all good? Did we not know we were in Eden when we could choose between NWA, Public Enemy, 2 Live Crew and MC Hammer? When DMX went platinum crying on stage bareback with no jewelry barking and toured with the jersey rocking, flossing Jay-Z was that a paradise we will never be graced with again? What's the difference between "It Takes Two" and "This is Why I'm Hot" or Soulja boy and the Humpty Dance? And here we are again, another blog about what's wrong or maybe not. Maybe I'm confused with trying not to be a hater so badly that I can't even enjoy what's right with the game. I can't even appreciate the fact that I can email label execs and send 6 records or reach out to DJs from my computer and give out my myspace page info like it’s a demo in 2008. myspace.com/shastimuli for Hotter Than July my tribute to Stevie Wonder by the way.
Some people are asking me what happened to the June release and I started to feel like folks were getting real comfy with this CD dropping thing like they either want to see me fail or they think it’s simple. Although most of those questions sounded like the former than the latter I'm not mad at people for being concerned. I am taking my time with this Stevie CD, I kind of wanted to do a double CD but I don’t like too many of those double things. So I may do another volume if some producers want to submit Stevie joints to flatbushbk@gmail.com. Or if you have ideas for another project let me know. Technically if I sign another deal and they try to halt the releases I will still do what I have to do to keep my word. Oh and stop worrying about what CD goes with what month, you will get 12 before the year is over and I will never do another mixtape again. Vote for the best male rapper at the Underground Music Awards at www.hiphoppalace.ning.com but don’t go unless you vote for me, you can vote every day and if I win, you win money. That’s not true but the Lord will shine on you…for real, I spoke to Him, go vote…now.
The Secret: Rhyme & Reason
Today I am in Miami, Florida writing this entry. For the last few days I've been “Sherod” hanging out with my family. For those of you that don't know I was born and raised in New York but my entire family is in Georgia and Florida. On May 14th, I was in the middle of shooting a video for my song "Left Lane" off The Secret [click to listen] when my mother called me crying telling me that her mother passed. I tried to continue to shoot but I eventually just sat down in a reflective, confused mode for the rest of the evening. My brother spent most of his childhood out there in Miami and neither of us saw this coming.
I'm not writing this to be a downer or make an excuse for not having a new CD out yet but I always said I would use words to vent and I wouldn't fear vulnerability as an artist so here I am. I got a lot from this trip that is hard to put in words. I focus so much on “Stimuli” sometimes that I forget there's a whole bunch of people related to me that couldn't care less about my superhero persona but they just want to see me succeed. I often feel like family members will be here forever. I think about losing a grandmother but my mother lost a mother. People always say they don't enjoy funerals but I don't think any of us do the dance of joy while throwing on that black gear to celebrate someone's home going. I guess it’s sort of like the opposite of going to a comedy show. You know you're going to laugh at some point, at a funeral you know you're bound to cry. I don't think anyone welcomes that feeling.
When I wrote "Live like I'm Dying" I thought about the end of it all. I wanted to yell to people the same way the dude from the movie Saw tried to get his point across. Appreciate life, live every day like your last because you never know. I think it came off more like I'm better than you but I referenced things like skydiving, hand gliding, sitting front row or first class and just living and imagining your last days doing things you would never do if you knew you had all the time in the world. I wanted The Secret to be a mix between uplifting verses and egotistical banter. I don't think I achieved the balance but songs like "Bentley" featuring Torae [click to listen] are a good mixture of both. I used cars as a metaphor for making it. I talked to the youth on "We Can Make It" after visiting schools and seeing how far we have to go with out next generation. It’s not that kids today aren’t smart it’s just they have a bunch of obstacles that we didn’t have. Reality TV, the internet and advanced communication technology are beautiful things but in some instances it makes kids a lot lazier from what I’ve seen. I’m sure the generation before us said the same thing about cable, beepers and call waiting but who knows? I just speak from what I see.
I wanted The Secret to let folks know that not only are there people out there that have it worse than you but if you expect good things then they will come to you. I never imagined I would be in this place I am in now until I started to claim it. For the first time ever I spoke about my situation with Virgin and Def Jam on record in the song “Right Now.” Other times I beat around the bush but I never said Jay’s name or let folks know what really happened. I’m kind of at peace with it all now and I have called forth success after going thru a political bind. Some of you may not know what I’m talking about but I was on one label, was supposed to go to another and ended up being stuck in limbo for 2 years. Ironically "Not Gon Cry" is one of those joints where I proclaim that no matter what I'm going thru it isn't bad enough to bring me to tears. I'll try to remember that. That song was supposed to go on an album of mine because I thought the pictures I painted needed to be seen by the masses. "Life throws a lot of curves that you really don't expect/like you facing incarceration a tumor made your mother a patient/you shot somebody now they want you erased and you go to church thinking that you in the sacredest place but you still afraid if you die maybe Satan'll take you."
It amazes how the people at church really fear hell. I often wonder if their praise is really a Love of God or a fear of eternal damnation. That’s another story though. So May is winding down, I am truthfully drained and my fans and haters are looking at me asking what’s next? DJ Victorious and I both decided that March’s CD had such an impact that it could’ve rode out for the year. The Secret features some records on there that can knock out some people’s LPs for real. With that said we decided to give your ears and our brains a concept break and deliver verses from songs that I have done with other formidable emcees. Some things you may have heard, some are brand new, most are fire, some are just good, the important thing is I’ve done a lot and I have a catalog most may not be aware of. Here’s your chance to catch up. I want to call it While you were Sleeping, Victorious wants to call it Featuring Sha Stimuli, one of us will win and next week you’ll have it someway or another. Please check out my video for “LOOK AT YOU” directed by Tee Smif [click to watch]. There are more videos to come so please stay tuned. And we also have a surprise for June dedicated to a legend. Stay with me.
March on Washington...
I wrote this whole entry a few days ago before the verdict came in on the NYPD officers that murdered Sean Bell. For those of you that don’t know, three of the detectives involved in the 50 shot slaying of the groom to be on November 25th, 2006 were acquitted on all charges. This kind of messed up my mood this morning and has me feeling like we need another “March on…” something CD or some riot music maybe. I’m still going to send what I wrote but keep in mind I feel like ranting about police brutality and the fact that we can lock people up for abusing dogs and evading taxes but you can kill an unarmed man and walk away with being demoted to a desk job. At least I touched on that on my last disc, check out “Murder Me” featuring A-Alikes, Immortal Technique and Steele if you haven’t already or if you’re in a “f--k the police” mood. Oh well, I guess I still owe y'all some explanation to some of the March songs anyway.
Here’s a bright side though, if you pick up the latest issue of Essence magazine with Laila Ali on the cover you may see one of your favorite rappers in there talking about relationships and crap like that. I guess when you drop a CD entitled Love Jones folks think you're an expert. Let's move on...with April almost done I decided to ride out this March on Washington CD until the wheels fell off. I think I pushed myself to a place I didn't know I could go. I listened to “Back of the Bus” the other day and I remembered I really wrote that song on the bus. I wasn't in the back but I was in the middle and I don't remember what sparked it but I wrote it without a beat and I just started thinking about being on the bus during the civil rights movement in the 60s. I was wondering if I would’ve had enough heart to get arrested for breaking an unjust law. We'll never know but I did end up being enlightened in that song and acknowledging my growth by the time I got off the bus. I went from not giving a damn about Rosa Parks on the song to watching the movie "Boycott" and seeing how foolish I sounded. I still don't know if I'm voting but I got a lot of folks talking since hearing "My Life" and "Say Something".
“My Life” touches on the North American Union and Obama's chances of winning and surviving. People ask me for more info about some of things I spoke on and I tell them to research it. I just throw the words out there and let others take their stance on it. I owe some of my supporters of the Say Something project that I started last year. I will still put that CD out but first before I put others on I had to establish myself as an artist who says something. On that record, which has about 60 more bars that didn't make it; I talk about radio not allowing a balance with messages we hear, the unfair judicial system, the fact that rap artists are afraid to be themselves and most importantly the school system.
I went to Mahalia Jackson junior high school in Brooklyn a few weeks ago to speak to kids for career day and it was a surreal experience. I went from class to class giving them my story, telling them I went to college, trying to get them to figure out percentages of recording budgets and giving them insight on being an artist on and off of a major label. Mostly they wanted to know if I knew Chris Brown, if I would rap for them and if you had to be hard to be a rapper. With all that said I enjoyed being able to speak to the 7th and 8th graders but I just wish I was more popular so that my words might’ve stuck. I foreshadowed this whole trip on "To Whom It May Concern" from the March on Washington CD. In my 1st verse I read a letter from a kid at a school I visited that was affected by my words. I actually got one of those messages on myspace and it let me know I'm moving in the right direction. I tried to cover so much on this CD that I had to do a verse about what I couldn't cover. I assumed the role of a critic and confronted myself on the 3rd verse of that same record "You got these online bloggers/hit me wit a message that my music was nonsense/He said Sha u pretend that u conscious/then you make songs about killing’ and being heartless/Then you try to spit for the chicks/now you wanna drop every month like a bitch/how about talking bout real life shit? /March on Washington? You better touch topics nigga talk about the unfair healthcare that we get/speak about the poor getting poorer to help the rich/police brutality, the foster care system/the civil rights movement, the overcrowded prisons"
So what I quoted myself, you get the idea. I know it’s hard to please all listeners and that gave me the idea to explore the politics of rap when I made "Oh Yeah" produced by Astronote from France. I sit around and listen to people telling me what I need to do all the time. Its kind of funny to hear folks say I need to get into beef or I need one hot single or one crazy beat or to slow my flow down but still spit crazy then make something for the clubs but don't make it sound like its for the clubs....I would go crazy if I really tried to please the world. I know there's plenty of artists that go through the issue of trying to breakthrough to radio or mainstream and are misguided. I however am done trying to do anything so all I do is make music about what I see and hear. I keep thinking about those kids and wishing I could’ve made a better impression than just rapping and promoting myself or sounding like some old head rap has been that's trying to deter them from chasing their dream. Luckily MTV2's sucka freestyle gave me some validity. The reality is that a bunch of them wanted to become artists or producers but had no clue about what it takes or what they need to know.
I honestly feel like stopping this CD run after this month. Maybe because I have so many ideas, I don't know what's next or probably because business wise I have to make some major decisions real soon about a label to call home or whether I'm just gonna ride these CD releases into retirement. All of the mixed emotions keep me writing so I will continue. For hard copies, my supporters can go to myspace.com/shastimuli. Check out my new page, leave a comment, buy some music, download some music, bootleg it, whatever. April 29th The Secret is supposed to drop hopefully. Stay tuned for The Séance, The Present, something dedicated to Stevie; an EP and maybe a 21 Questions joint oh I think imma do part 2 to the Love Jones called The Breakup. I'm just having fun with this shit. Sue me
-The Present
WWW.MYSPACE.COM/SHASTIMULI
The Clipse, The Wire, Black Presidents and ... Sha Stimuli!
So this monthly CD thing I'm doing is getting more and more interesting. I was out in Atlanta for the A3C festival, well I was really just in ATL and happened to have a VIP pass so I went to the festival. The correlation between those 2 sentences is I was out there and my artwork wasn't finished yet so I was kind of worried I wouldn't have the “March on Washington" out before March ended. But it all worked out, thanks Precise and Victorious, wait let me rewind a little bit.
I had a show in New York on March 18th at SOBs for the Hot 97FM who's next showcase hosted by Peter Rosenberg with Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Consequence and Teyana Taylor too. For those that don't know I got in this game thru Masta Ace waaaaay back in the days on his Slaughtahouse album with my brother Lord Digga. I was the little kid voice on “Ain't U da Masta” and “Crazy Drunken Style” and so what you don't care but it meant something to me. So yea I rapped at SOBs and stuff and people kinda dug it. Some songs went over gooder than others…yea gooder. Block McCloud joined me for the “My Life” song and we killed that one. A bunch of folks came up to me and said I was hot and they enjoyed the show and they could’ve been lying but that's a good lie. Like if someone plays u a song and asks u if it’s hot and u say "yea" but in a high pitched voice that's a good lie. And it might even be true 'cause some songs are hot, just not to anyone that knows music. Where was I again? Oh yea Hot 97 showcase, good turnout, program director liked me, radio rotation on the way, or another good lie maybe.
So yea fast forward to ATL and I'm at the Loft watching the Juice Crew. Shout to Don DiNapoli for getting me in and I finally got to meet Shake aka Joel Zela from this little website hiphopdx.com. They're pretty cool, they play my stuff and let me blab on my blog and what's even bigger than that, they gave me a free t-shirt. HipHopDXx rules. So I got to see the Juice Crew, Craig G, another dude I used to be around when I was a kid, Roxanne Shanté, who apparently still has battle rhymes dissing Queen Latifah (I think we know who won that war), MC Shan who still looks like 1987 (that's neither good nor bad) and Biz Markie who taught me the most valuable stage show lesson: if u forget your words just say blah blah blah, ask the crowd to help and say "I wrote this 15 years ago". So next time I have a show and I forget a word I'm gonna try that. And if someone hates on me or says I'm unprofessional I'll say "I wrote that 15 years ago man."
The next night The Clipse performed and I'm a fan so I went to check em out. Before they got on I went to J Hatch's beat battle in the other room and my dude called me to the stage to do my joint "Look at U" acapella. I was surprised and excited that people knew me and felt me enough to let me get away with that. Thanks Hatch! Then I asked my dude Torae for his backstage pass to holla at The Clipse because he was one of the performers out there(Torae's hollywood now), he said “naaah man I don't want u to bug the artists that are here to get on. Do you know The Clipse?” I said "Well I heard Pusha likes my music." Torae said "word?" but like a sarcastic “word?” Then a few minutes later The Clipse are on stage and Pusha T sees me in the front and sorta like pauses the show to shout me out and give me a pound. He said something like "Stimuli in the building, u be spittin' that shit my nigga" or something like that. It wasn't as big as when Janet Jackson said "excuse me" to me in a crowded room at a club when I stepped on her foot but it was close. I'm going backwards.
Did I ever mention The Wire finale show? Damn I miss that show, best show ever. I could write a whole thesis paper on that shit but yea I'm drifting.
So umm “March on Washington” is available on the net [click to listen...], hopefully some of y’all downloaded it and checked it out. If you're wondering why I did it I'm not sure if it was when I did “The N Word song” that sparked it or all this talk about thee election this year. It may have been the fact I feel like I have a responsibility to talk about what's going on in the world. No I remember now, this started way back when I had an argument about voting and I was adamant about saying I didn't know if my vote counted, how it factored in what goes on in the world and if one elected official makes a difference in this nation or my life. At that time I couldn't conceive a Black president in my lifetime and I have to say it has switched my position slightly. I still believe my vote has little to do with what happens with our government because I don't know much about popular votes in relation to the Electoral College. And our government doesn't have much to do with how I govern my life. Maybe because I don't pay taxes and crap, but that's neither here nor there. I have taken somewhat of an interest in the policies of the candidates and what relates to me and those around me.
The idea of a Black president represents a lot of change and shit too. I thought seeing one on the show “24” was the closest we would get. Anyway what kind of emcee would I be if I didn't touch on some things going on in our country? Long story short, I did this "March on Washington" CD not as some preachy, militant, beat you in the head music. But for those of you that don't know me I love provoking thought, and that’s what this disc is all about. It’s a little late since we’re already in April but I got another one coming. I may sound contradictory on a record because I'm representing my own ignorance and enlightenment within 3 verses. If you can't follow that listen to “The N Word song” and you can hear me dis Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement in one verse. I criticize White Americans for using the word and defend them at the same time and in the 3rd verse I actually stickup for the word myself and ask Jay-Z to help us all get rid of it. So yea I'm all over the place but like I said before I feel like I represent those folks out there that know what's going on in terms of social issues and thee election and the war but if you place a microphone in front of them they're going to tell you what affects them personally and they may really have no in depth knowledge of the truth unless they are avid CNN watchers.
I think I'm gonna save the rhyme and reason for next time and give a more in-depth breakdown ‘cause I'm starting to bore myself. I got some shows coming up at the Bowery Poetry club on Sunday April 13th, I think I'm gonna open up for KRS at Vassar college on the 19th but don't quote me on that. I also did a video for “The N Word song” in ATL with director Liquid Sunshine and I saw someone did one on youtube using The Boondocks with my song. Stuff like that is always hot to me. Download "March on Washington" and if u want hard copies go to myspace.com/shastimuli. Beats and features, flatbushbk@gmail.com. The Secret is next I believe…Maybe…I told u this stuff is interesting.
Rhyme and Reason
At the top of the year I put it out there that I was going to drop a CD every month for 2008. I didn’t factor in the fact that I was working on a major release and an independent because when you’re on a roll and you have so much built up music and thoughts you just tend to want to get it all out. So I challenged myself with something that seems sort of insane to most folks. So far, it’s been pretty fun writing and recording songs to a particular theme or mood and getting it out there to the people. 3 weeks ago I released the 2nd CD for the year entitled Love Jones with DJ Victorious, inspired by the film and things going on in my life in the past and present. The release party was a success, shout to everyone that came out and supported and those that helped make it go down beautifully. Musaic management, The Carnegie Group, Mister Fame, DJ Kaos and the press people that came out Spate magazine, Bronxrap.com, Protégé magazine…my dude Esso and of course all the lovely ladies that showed up…I have to thank you all.
So I have to admit that I was hesitant to throw this CD on websites, not only because I’m selling it on my myspace page but I have to say that music targeted towards females or simply about relationships didn’t seem like what hardcore online hip-hop fans would be interested in downloading and analyzing. However the responses I’ve been getting from males and females have been very encouraging. People ask me where I get the inspiration for a lot of these songs and if I went through all of this stuff I’m speaking on. Well I don’t normally do the rhyme and reason thing but I’m guessing that since I’m dropping every month I want you all to know that this isn’t some fly by night bunched together recordings. So if you haven’t been fortunate enough to hear this disc but you’re wondering what the hell would the 2007 UMA best lyricist award winner have to say about love without compromising his image I can give you a brief over view. This disc can be broken up into 3 categories: 1. Trying to get her. 2. Going thru it with her 3. Staying with her?
I think we’ve all been in situations where we see someone we may want to get at whether it be for a one night stand or for eternity. So I remixed Anthony Hamilton’s “Since I Seent U” and added a sincere verse about wanting to be everything to a young lady. Then on “Bounce” I’m in another scenario where I simply ask a woman I just met if I can take her home for the evening, crack a Guinness stout and break a Guinness record. We’ve all been there. Of course my braggadocios side comes out as I explain what I can do to her attacking “Every Angle” and I even sprinkle hate on a girl who already has a significant other on “Do What It Do”
The songs I get the most questions about are the ones that deal with the core of the relationships though. “My Only Girl” produced by Just Blaze talks about the thirst to be with one woman but having the feeling that the grass may be greener on the other side. This song speaks to a woman in a situation with a man that is trying his hardest to make her “the one” although she’s not what he sees as his perfect woman. Instead of letting her go though, he holds on just because he doesn’t want to see her go somewhere else and he thinks he can keep her as “wifey” because she’s been so loyal. He leads her on all the way to the altar, well almost. These are the everyday dealings that pushed me to put this music out. “Tight Ones” deals with a variation of that same topic of having a main girl but being faced with the temptation of different women and “Up and Down” touches on an obsession with the strip club and is familiar to any dude that has ever wished he had a lady in the streets and a freak in the sheets. This is real shit ladies and gentleman. From a dude faced with getting money in the streets hustling to a dude hustling in the booth with his love waiting at home are all real instances in life.
I even break down to my current girl (hypothetically) why it’s so hard for me to commit and that explanation contains blow by blow details about someone that hurt me in the past on “I Tried.” If you haven’t copped this CD yet but you identify with the things I’m saying maybe you should check it out, no pressure. Of course after all that mushy shit there had to be a paradigm shift for the month of March. So after recording my N Word song I guess the political bug bit me a little bit. Maybe it was doing a song for KRS-1’s Stop the Violence Movement CD and actually dropping a verse on one of the new versions of Self-Destruction that got me going in this direction. That was a monumental experience by the way to even be asked to be a part of a recreation of that record. So anyway I’ve never been concerned with elections, I mentioned that before. I still am not preachy about this whole politic thing or about social issues but I’ve been given this microphone thing for a reason and before I’m done rapping as a whole I wanted to let some things out. I felt like this CD every month thing is the perfect opportunity to say something. So prepare for a disc that isn’t militant or browbeating but I would label it moving and thought-provoking. I’ll break it down more next time about my inspiration for the records and why I thought this music is coming at a perfect time.
I know I'm forgetting to plug some things. Oh I’m performing at Clara Barton high school in New York City March 14th. Check out my article in the Urban Post newspaper, I think my mtv2 freestyle is officially a commercial now. Don’t be afraid to hit me on myspace and to all those producers that want to b heard and don’t mind getting some exposure that will turn into something big down the line, holla at me. Clams Casino, I got u! Congrats to my brother and his new addition to the family, I guess that’s my family too huh?
Black History Month, the Election, NY Giants, Mixtapes...
It’s black history month, the election is bigger than ever and the Giants just won the Superbowl. With all that said I will still find a way to plug my career and my new CD within this entry. For those fellow Giant fans out there, congrats. It’s been a long time coming for them and even if you’re not a fan you may still be able to identify with being an underdog in any situation. I must say I feel sorry for the Patriots after almost completing a perfect season. I don't think almost will ever have the same meaning to them. How do you regroup after a season like that? I know the feeling of coming close and I also know what its like to be an underdog.
The day after Super Tuesday I have to admit I have never been one to be too involved with politics. I know enough to consider myself informed and I remain ignorant enough to never feel dependent on an elected official to shape my life. That does not take away the importance of this election. I remember watching the TV series 24 and seeing an African-American president on the show and thinking we were decades away from America accepting such a drastic move. Here we are in 2008 and America is in a place where we have the power to elect Barack Obama as our next president. On one hand I listen to his speeches and can see that change is his motive and I actually believe him. On the other hand, I don't have enough of an opinion on the issues at hand to look to one man to affect my day-to-day life. I am aware that healthcare is big, teachers’ salaries should go up, college education is expensive as all hell, war is stupid and oil is a necessity but what I have no clue about is who really makes these decisions and will one human's occupation affect my path. All of this inspired my release in March which is entitled March On Washington. I will save this topic for next time.
I don't want to skip February so to briefly sum it up, I was inspired by relationships around me, past, present and those I hear about to bring you a CD mixed by DJ Victorious and starring me entitled Love Jones. We took clips from the film, some of my unofficial R&B remixes and songs that show some of the ups and downs of male-female relations. If you're a lady and you want to know why men cheat or what makes dudes not want to commit or why we're afraid to be hurt then take a listen. Well honestly, I've taken my personal experiences and those I've witnessed to bring you a well-rounded disc that may surprise a lot of listeners. If I do say so myself not many emcees at this level in my career would do something as daring to release music dedicated to...well I guess you would call it love. Love of women, love of myself, love of money and success. We all go through this shit but very few hip-hop artists are bold enough to venture into doing this type of vulnerable music. I’ve always used rap music as a tool and over the years I’ve recorded songs that captured my true feelings over beats. Sometimes it’s my story, other times I used the lives of those around me. Either way it is a very entertaining collection of joints. Listening to it, I reflected back to what I was going through during penning a lot of these songs. I’m sure people out there can identify with being hurt, hurting someone or helping another person through it.
I've already been receiving scrutiny and doubt since I staked my claim to drop 12 CDs this year. It’s nothing new to me though; I enjoy being doubted in this game.
I would like to thank all of you that supported The Wire mixtape and special thanks to Julito aka Namond Brice from the cast for jumping on and hosting the CD. We got a lot of love at the official Wire party at BB Kings.
For the Love Jones CD I will have a release party on February 14th at Nest on 28th street between 7th and 8th avenue in New York, NY, doors open at 530pm everyone free before 7pm, ladies $1 after and men $5 for the rest of the night. It will be a very eventful night with free giveaways, food and music. So if you have a date or you do the love thing bring your peoples with you or come through after or before you handle your bizness. 2 days before that I'm at Don Hills for a very big concert series held by DJ Bedtyme 357 featuring myself, Torae, Nina B, Skyzoo, Sic Osyrus and some other notable artists. I think it costs $1, if you're in New York you should be in attendance on February 12th. February 29th I will be performing with King Magnetic in Pennsylvania at 3rd & Walnut. I also just signed on to speak on a panel on February 26th at Brooklyn College, details to come.
-The Present
myspace.com/shastimuli
12 Mixtapes in 12 Months?
Salutations, Happy New Year and White History Month and all that. If you don’t know me my name is Sha Stimuli and in 2007 to just run thru and sum it up I became a free agent again, dropped a few CDs, started this journal, got some magazine and DVD features, appeared on MTV and BET doing the freestyle thing, jumped in a few movies, got some hot 97 radio spins and won an award for Best Lyricist. Of course I’m leaving out a few things but I can never remember everything and I sound pompous.
Anyway it’s a new year and with it brings new things. So I decided to drop a CD every month this year and I’ve been getting a lot of questions about that whole idea and I’ll get to that a little later on. The 1st installment is a CD dedicated to and inspired by the hit HBO series The Wire. DJ Victorious and I put it together after discussing and anticipating the final season. I recognize the show’s influence and authenticity and decided to put out music that mirrored the program. I’ve received some slack for not including Baltimore artists on the CD and I understand that totally, I also know some of the songs were previously released. 1st of all we put together the concept from the point of view of a New York dude in that area trying to get money. We all know a lot of the cast members are from Brooklyn but that’s neither here nor there. I did reach out to some Maryland artists but time became a factor, Kingpin Slim, my dude from DC is on there and I did a song with my boy Panama from B-more who is on the actual show but the joint didn’t really fit. The finished product is available online (http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/mixtape/id.322) and it includes an unofficial remix to Scarface’s "Never," "Don’t Come Outside" featuring Cashmere and some other powerful music and show clips that pay homage to one of the most dramatic scripted shows of our time. Shout to Jaime Hector and Julito for offering services, we’ll get y’all involved next time. As far as the previously released stuff, we used joints that had a vibe that captured the essence of The Wire but for the rest of the CDs this year, don’t expect too much dated material. If a song is old it’s only included because it fits. It sounds like I’m coppin’ a plea but I’m not, leave me alone.
My 1st performance of the year went down on Friday the 11th celebrating the release of Torae’s new mixtape/album entitled Daily Conversation. He received a lot of support from the fans and artists that are a part of the joint. He put together an incredible CD, I wish him much success with it. Chaundon, Skyzoo, The Away team, Kil, Kel Spencer, Torae and I all blessed the stage at The Knitting Factory. It was an epic night; we took a slew of pictures, did interviews and most importantly showed that New York hip-hop still has a pulse. My set wasn’t too long but I had enough time to give anyone who had never heard of me a nice display of what I do and why I was born. One of the biggest things for me was being able to perform in front of Masta Ace who had me on his album when I was in junior high school and actually helped get my earliest inspiration and fuel to begin writing rhymes. He never saw me rap until that night so to impress him meant a lot to me. It’s like your 1st basketball coach coming to your game in the NBA and you get busy…well maybe the NBDL but you get the picture. Pete Rock was also in the building and he was the 1st to congratulate me for doing my thing in front of the crowd.
Somewhere in between the mainstream hip-hop artist and the unknown rapper is a level that some refer to as the underground. Sometimes it’s because of content, other times it’s due to exposure. There are days when I wonder what it will take to go from internet buzz or street notoriety to national recognition. Some say it’s a hit single on the radio, others may argue that a hot video will do it. Most people feel like once you get a record deal you’re good but I think in the last 3 or 4 years that theory is gone out the window. So what’s the answer? It’s obviously not talent because the most talented are hardly the most successful. Is it marketing combined with luck and opportunity? Kanye had the biggest selling rap album last year and it was also celebrated by critics for its simplicity and consistency. But without the 50 Cent 1st week feud would he have sold as much? Is controversy the answer? Maybe there is no one solution to the puzzle. Maybe we as artists need to go back to the days when music didn’t necessarily equate with wealth. Wouldn’t that change our minds when we create songs if we weren’t focused on selling millions? Wouldn’t that change the labels’ strategies if they were content with reaching every artist’s target audience and keeping the budgets lower? That might even deter some of the people that have no business rapping from picking up a mic.
Maybe I’m bugging but with that said I vowed at the end of last year to drop a CD every month this year. It didn’t seem like a big deal at the time but it got some people talking. They wonder can I keep it up. Will I drop mad old songs? Will it be quantity over quality? Didn’t Papoose and Lil Wayne already do that? Who cares what Stimuli does anyway? I’m not sure but when they ask why I ask why not. I have a bunch of material that I record when I’m feeling moved and music serves as a release and I'm tired of holding it in while I wait for promo and marketing dollars. My mission is challenging but doesn’t everyone need a challenge once in awhile? I feel alive again, almost like I have a job that I’m not getting paid for but I’m rich so I don’t need the money. Since the latter of that statement is untrue I have quite a bit of work to do. No gimmick, no real goal in mind, just good music for folks to identify with and enjoy. Thanks to Big Ray we’re also adding some visuals to the music as time progresses so stay tuned.
I’m not gonna beat y'all in the head with this but for those that doubt me or hate on me thank you because you are part of why I’m still here. I have some surprises for Cinderella Man and Thee Emotion Picture, yes they are still on the way this year but don’t worry about me running out of material…good material I should say. Check me out in the new Connex List magazine and thanks to BET for showing me rapping on back to back days. I got more bars if y’all need em by the way.
R.I.P Malaika Bermiss, hold ya head Sek. I’m out.