• » Name: Stimuli
• » Location: BROOKLYN, New York
• » Member Since: 04/23/07
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• » Hotter Than July, Stevie Wonder!
• » The Secret: Rhyme & Reason
• » March on Washington...

	August 2008
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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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You Thought I Was Done?

I know y'all thought I stopped these journal things but I'm back at it. I promise not to disappear again for too long. I missed a lot of good topics too, mall shootings, Kanye's mother and Stephon’s father passing, I had a lot of plugs like me getting called back for the Terrence Howard film "Fighting" but I guess I'll have to fill you guys in briefly on this one. I must say the acting stuff I've been doing is taking up a lot of time in a good way. On the set for 13hrs shooting outside in the cold gave me a new respect for film. I began shooting the independent film “Gotta Get Mine” in Brooklyn. We've been shooting every weekend for the past month and although we’re there for long hours it definitely is a learning experience and it’s also enjoyable. It’s another way to express myself other than the stage. Pain in Da Ass is one of the funniest humans ever created by the way. I would never have imagined how much goes into shooting one scene of a film. I’ve gone from doing background acting to an actual lead in a short amount of time but I can tell you whether it is a major or independent movie, or if you have a significant or extra role, the process is still time consuming and difficult. I believe the reward with music and film is different though. You’re not judged by a flick the way you are by an album. The director has more on the line than the actors and the way you earn a living is slightly different. However the main similarity is that if you don’t put in the work, there’s no payoff. So consider these my paying due days. Stay tuned.

I also spoke at the Schomburg(is that how it’s spelled?) on a panel to a group of 100 kids ranging from ages 11-17 about the entertainment industry with super engineer Ken Lewis, promoter J Hatch, DJ Reg West, Amanda Precise and some other notable industry folks. It was amazing just to see kids come out on a Saturday to get some information and they asked some serious questions. What had me even more open was the fact that some of them knew me and shouted me out. I rapped a little bit and they really felt it. I signed autographs and took pictures for a half hour and headed right back to the movie set. I'm telling you all of this because putting words together has opened up a few doors for me. I let kids know that I went to school, I interned, I studied the art and I'm not depending on rap to be the only thing to make me whole. I haven't spent a hip-hop dollar in a few years and I'm not bragging all I'm saying is that I don't do this for money and as much as I try not to sound negative about this music thing it is an up and down career choice.

What else did I miss out on? I heard Papoose got beat up, no comment on that one but I hope he's fine. I performed at Sputnik last weekend with Nina B, Famoso and Tools. We had to compete with the Mayweather fight but some folks came out to support and you can check out the show as soon as I get the footage on my myspace.com/shastimuli page.

I was also supposed to promote my live audio concert for jamnow.com. I don't want to promote other sites but I'm sure we can work something out since they're not competition and they feature artists performing at there spot for a 30 minute set and the audio goes out live over the net along with an in-depth interview. This may be a wave of the future although it was very weird performing for no audience on a soundstage because after I felt like I killed a song there was only the soundman and the interview guy to clap. I still fed off the energy of my own music and it came out hot. Fame youtube that right away.

I'm going to try my hardest to not say or email any of the "let's get it this year" or "we're about to take over" for the New Year. So if you get one of those from me it’s probably laced with sarcasm. But truthfully there will be some changes this year as far as me dropping a mixtape every month with DJ Victorious. Don't steal that please. And I'm ending the year with a feature on BET's Rapcity on December 14th at 5pm. I just filmed a cipher for BET and Rockme TV yesterday that I will have more details on soon.

I can't remember what else is going on with the world right now so I may have to have a year end review entry next time. Oh yea my man Saigon decided to call it quits. Someone asked me if I thought this was a publicity stunt and I had to go back to the night I met the dude at a show. Ironically it was at SOB’s, he was hosting I was performing and he set it on someone in the crowd for acting like they wanted to boo me as he gave me a grandiose intro. He’s always been real from day one and I think he expected the industry to be real as well. Going on radio and disrespecting hostesses and threatening rappers is one thing but the media making a big deal about it and ignoring any positive comments made is another. I haven't heard enough about Sai's video or single but him punching Prodigy in the face was everywhere on the net. It puzzles me a little bit sometimes. I really feel like there is a dumb down conspiracy going on. The last few years we've seen a shift from a focus on talent to a concentration on buzz, street credibility and of course controversy. All in all I haven’t heard the latest but I’m sure my dude will keep going.

Buy Freeway’s album, that’s my boy and the album is fire, he deserved a much better 1st week. Thank you Def Jam, I see why I didn’t fit. Anway “The Rehab” is getting love in the streets and on the net. “The Séance” is next along with a CD dedicated to the greatest show on earth, “The Wire.” DJ Victorious and I are teaming up to really…well kinda like take over this year but I said I wouldn’t say that so insert a catchy phrase right there. Oh yea I’m on the new Real Talk DVD with my dudes, The Hometown Heroes as well as The Source with Nas on the cover in the Tale Of the Tape section. “The Best Of Me” is about to hit the net next week and the hood real soon. This is turning into an update isn’t it? Well anyway Friday, December 14th BET’s Rapcity, 5pm catch Sha Stimuli before his head gets big. MTV2 is still showing me love by the way. Lastly, on December 22nd I'll be giving out toys for kids at a hot 97 Street soldiers event with Lisa Evers in New Jersey. Ok I’m done. Next time. Cinderella Man’s on its way 2008…ok for real I’m out.

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I Haven't Dissapeared Just Yet

It almost feels like I disappeared from the world of journalism but I'm still here venting and rambling about everything going on in my career. To be honest I have so many things brewing and on the verge that I was trying to wait it out until they became real news. However that may take longer than expected so I might as well give a brief update and blab at the same time. I want to thank everyone that voted for me for The Underground Music Awards. It really was a big deal to even be nominated so I have to appreciate that. August 12th I'll be at the award show at BBKings hopefully with some type of new cd to give away. DJ Dame Hustle put together a B.O.S.S. (Best Of Sha Stimuli) CD, which I was featuring as a free download on myspace.com/shastimuli. I just completed another one called "The Best of Me" with DJ Ease that will be available very soon. It’s a compilation of freestyles and songs from my past CDs "Let Me Show You The Way," "Follow My Lead" and "Switch Sides." It’s pretty good, if you've never heard me before it’s definitely a strong representation of lyrics and flow diversity. I'm not saying that because it’s me...well not totally.

Anyway MTV2 has shown me so much love that I got the call to do another sucker freestyle. I think I've reached the most people ever in my whole time doing this with that verse. Imagine if I had a video on MTV. The next few months will be very big for me in terms of decision making. I'm officially severing ties with Virgin, I'm working on a few digital EPs, meeting with majors while working on an independent album and what's been most fun although in the developmental stage is the sitcom I'm writing. I don't like to mention stuff like that but its taking up a lot of time and generating interest so be on the lookout. The Cinderella Man album with J. Cardim is really sounding classic but if all goes according to plan Thee Emotion Picture LP may be right after that. Like I said I have so much in the works that I sound like a big bag of hope. I guess in this industry you have to dream big and go after the things you claim. I have to admit I've been feeling less and less like the same hungry rapper that started attacking the streets almost 5 yrs ago but I still get flashes of that guy and he's not dead yet.

I recently read and listened to Calvin Klein's interview with Kay Slay talking about Jay-Z not being there for him after promising him some type of assistance when he came home. For those of you unfamiliar Calvin was a successful drug dealer who went to prison for 14 yrs and was released in 2005. Jay referred to him in his music and they caught a case together in '89. Long story short Calvin comes home and hears words from Jay that resemble "I got you, fall back". I have to say I heard those same words from Jay numerous times so the interview instantly struck a nerve for me. Of course there's always 2 sides to a story and I know how Jay operates anyway. He doesn't feel anyone should just be handed anything without working for it or deserving it. He knows he had to fight for what he has and hearing him on Hot 97 speak about his scholarship program, water well construction and the fact that everyone has their hand out makes you think about being a grown man and actually needing help from another grown man. I go into this industry needing airplay and spins from DJs, funds from labels, promotion from record pools, interviews on DVDs, coverage in magazines and anything you can think of that may require no cost but a case of someone feeling me, the music or pressure. The funny thing is unless both parties need each other noone cares about the starving artist trying to gain buzz. This business is a constant reminder that you have to do whatever it takes to get what you want. I'm learning more and more to depend on myself and not wait for anyone else.

I spoke last week at a panel for racism at St. Vincent services for some kids in their group home. It was an interesting experience listening to the dudes speak about their issues with racism and growing up being a black male in nyc. I can't wait until my name rings bells so I can talk to the youth all day and actually make a difference. I also made an appearance at the secret show under the brooklyn bridge on Saturday. I didn't get to perform but it was good to see LL, Black Moon, Special Ed and Brand Nubian do their thing. I did get to do a performance at Black Star store in Harlem for Shield magazine. I have to shout them out for pushing my CD up there. The show was for domestic violence so I had to go show love. Imma keep this light. August 9th I'm celebrating another year of life. I don't know what I'm gonna do but I'll probably be at Crystals in Flatbush on Saturday, Myst on Wednesday and intoxicated in between. New mixtapes coming soon, pick up Skyzoo's Corner store classic too, it’s hot.

-The Present
WWW.MYSPACE.COM/SHASTIMULI

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"Distraction" and "Deal" Music

The last time I spoke to the world I mentioned my Say Something mixtape series that I'm working on. I got quite a few submissions already to sowhatchusaying@gmail.com and I must say I heard some hot shit. I was amazed to hear how many artists out there have music that is not preachy but meaningful. It motivated me to know that I'm not alone when I'm listening to the songs in rotation on the radio and I feel like something's missing. I felt compelled to use this entry to talk about what I'm trying to do and why. I had a conversation with my boy (future music exec) Zack Einhorn and he mentioned something I thought was very interesting. When people are vibing to music a lot of times they want it to distract them from their issues and their lives. Other times they throw on music that helps them deal with what's in front of them. The reason I'm bringing this up is because it made me think about how much of my music is "distraction" and how much is "deal" music. Sometimes I do joints that are more like I’m just venting on a beat and I feel like there are folks out there that can relate to some of the things I’m speaking on. When I do music that serves as a distraction to the real life surrounding me, people identify with that as well because they don’t want to confine themselves to what’s in front of them. I thought about how much of the hit records we listen to fall into these categories.

I know when we're in the club singing "Party Like a Rock Star" or "Ballin" we're seeing ourselves living those words in that moment. When you're singing "let me buy you a drank/I got money in the bank" you're not really absorbing yourself with the thought that you may not have too much money in the bank. It’s distraction music and it serves its purpose, it has done that for years. It’s supposed to be entertainment. Then why is it we long for social commentary at times and complain that hip-hop is dying and music is watered down? Maybe it’s because some of our favorite songs have elements of both distraction and deal.

Maybe the balance we once knew on radio between region and content is gone. If you have no clue what I'm talking about think Biggie's "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems" a song where the hook talked about having doe and seeing more woes while we all sang it playfully in the clubs not even concerning ourselves with the underlying tone and what Big was really saying. From Chamillionaire's "Ridin' Dirty" speaking on his experience with the police to Kanye's "Gold Diggers" touching on his dealings with money-hungry women, hit records don't always have to be fluff. It seems like the best ones walk the line of having a little something to say with a simple chorus and powerful instrumentation. I watched Three Six Mafia's show the other day "Adventures in Hollyhood" and observed how important their choruses are in song creation. I start my construction in a similar way but it seemed like the focus stopped after that hook was nailed. We northern rap guys tend to take a tad bit more time trying to put something profound in the verses. The magical part is making it easy on the listener’s ears and still giving them something worth listening to. It would seem all hope is lost on radio today but that's not true at all. At first listen "Make Me Better" by Fabolous just sounds like a crazy joint. But if you had to dissect it or pitch it to Oprah or something you'd find a man expressing an ode to his better half that goes overlooked when we're rocking to it in parties. That's true entertainment right there. It reminds me of when I heard Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" or "Slap" by Ludacris. Songs about frustration broke into rotation and radio let it go down. I was almost convinced that the powers that be don't want us as artists whether we are black or white to say something to this generation that's positive. Maybe the same people that are bootlegging Trojan magnums in the hood in New York are trying to destroy hip-hop. So with that said I'm going to continue to provide an outlet and bring some type of balance to this music I love. Shout to the Hip-Hop Project, I like what you guys are doing.

My new CD with my crew the Hometown Heroes is in stores and somewhere in your hood right now featuring Flash Da Biskit and Suny Redd, lookout for that. DJ Rhude's Block Music vol. 4 hosted by me is getting love in the streets. June 23rd I'm doing a video for my alcoholic hit record "Leanin.'" I got some shows and interviews that I can't remember right now but my publicist will send out a blast soon, catch me on myspace.com/shastimuli. Cinderella Man coming soon!

-The Present

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