Recently the NASAgang team caught up with music producer/writer Shattastar. Reigning from the streets of Cleveland this multi-talented artist is definitely some you need to be keeping your ear to the streets for. He had a lot to say and according to him “The only artists who cant adapt to the internet are artists who are self motivated”…and NASAgang definitely co-signs that. Check out what else he had to say below.
1. First off we preciate you taking time to chop it up with NASAgang….My first question to you is as a producer how do you redevelop your sound during changing times in hip hop such as now?
Shattastar: No problem man, I appreciate you reaching out. Well as a producer I pride myself on being original and having my own sound. Not trying to mimic whats hot right now. Thats what creates longevity, is establishing your own identity and style. If you focus on being distinctive, you wont have to really worry about the sound changing. Because you already created your own lane that people identify you with. 2. What inspires you as a writer?
Shattastar: Well I always been into magazines since I was a kid. As well as comics. I used to collect the Source magazine, Vibe, and any other hip-hop publication I could get my hands on. I got over 1,000 magazines now chilling in my storage collecting dust. I had an addiction. LOL One of my biggest dreams was to always write for a magazine like The Source, or a XXL mag. But what REALLY inspires me to be a writer is the art of expressing thoughts and generating thought through creative context in written form. I think its a art. I enjoy writing about relationships, dating, sex, hip-hop, sports, media, etc. my purpose as a writer is to attack a LOT of society's standards and stereotypes that causes a lot of us to be mentally programmed and brainwashed. I'm here to wake people up.
3. You currently reside in Cleveland,Ohio. What is the hip hop scene looking like in the city?
Shattastar: To be honest, the hip-hop scene in Cleveland is the same its always been: STAGNANT. And thats the truth. People dont like hearing the truth but thats what I speak. I dont sugar coat nothing. Cleveland has some of the most talented, but at the same time most egotistical local artists you will ever come across. If every artist here in Cleveland would stop trying to look and act like celebrities, and start focusing on making creative music again, and stop copying off what the south is doing, then we wouldve BEEN had a national movement like Atlanta, or a Houston. But these artists in Cleveland wanna rap like Gucci Mane, OJ Da Juiceman, Nicki Minaj, and Jeezy all day, and wonder why the radio dont play their songs. Dont get me wrong, theres a lot of talent here in Cleveland, but very little originality.I sit back and observe a lot, and truthfully, Cleveland is VERY small. If you do music, then you will probably know most of the people who are involved with hip-hop here in the city. and some of the biggest names here are unknown names anywhere else. The reason is because too many people here focus on being local celebrities, instead of focusing on the bigger picture. Every artist, DJ, Producer, etc. who made it on a national level had to leave this city to get on. Look at Kid Cudi and Chip the Ripper. If they was still in Cleveland I doubt they would be as big as they are right now. And back in the day when Bone Thugs was on top, a lot of people in Cleveland felt like they "sold out" because they left the city and focused on the bigger picture, but how can you expect to progress if you dont migrate and expand?
Theres also a LOT of haters in Cleveland too. Cleveland is a LOT like New York right now. If you notice, New York rappers are very competitive with each other, so they wont ever become that force again like in the 90's until they start coming together and stop hating on each other. Same thing with Cleveland. The "best in the city" mentality has haunted Cleveland hip-hop for years, and caused the city to struggle being noticed on a national level. Cleveland has potential to be a national movement, because this city definitely has the talent, but the egos and dick riding the south must stop.
4. Who are some inspirations for you as an artist?
Shattastar: as an artist? hmmm...I gotta start with the oldies man. Im a old soul. I grew up around a lot of soul, blues, funk, rock, and jazz. My grandmother used to drag me with her as a kid when she would perform with Johhnie Taylor and Bobby Bland. My Stepfather was a DJ in the 80s, so he had me listening to all types of shit. Cats like Paul Simon, The Bee Gees, James Brown, Bobby Womack, Michael Jackson of course, all the way to Slayer, Aerosmith, Run DMC, LL Cool J. I was listening to classical composers like Charles Aznavour thanks to my father, who is really deep into jazz and orchestra. So being around different forms of music molded my style of producing. 5. What do you think about the current “Digital Age” of music?
Shattastar: I think its one of the best things that ever happened to music. As well as one of the worst. ten years ago you couldnt control who hears your music, and how. Now you have total control over your own career, instead of being forced to sign with a major label in order to be heard on a national radar. All it takes nowadays is strong internet presence and you can be a star overnight.
Now the bad part about the digital age is how its affected sales. Some of the biggest artists on the planet are barely going platinum now. Also, The CD is the new cassette tape. Not that this is a bad thing, but I think the mp3 era is taking away from the essence of having the total package. When you download a album all you have is the files, and sometimes the album cover. But what about the credits? What about the artwork? Believe it or not, a LOT of people still appreciate that stuff. Im one of them. LOL And the fact that its so easy to get your music out here now, makes the market over saturated with garbage, because a lot of these artists would have no chance if the system was still based on actual talent, and not marketing schemes. 6. as an artist is it difficult to adjust to the digital age?
Shattastar: Not at all. I believe if you serious about your craft then you should be able to adjust to pretty much anything. The digital age is simply a transition. You still have the same role as you did when you was walking around passing out CD's. You still have to promote, you still have to network, you still have to plan and execute. Its just online now. The only artists who cant adapt to the internet is artists who not self motivated. Thats what this game is going back to. Being independent. If you cant handle business independently then you wont make it. These labels not checking for artists who cant grind or generate a fanbase independently.
7. What upcoming projects do you have in works for the people?
The 3rd and final part of the trilogy is Gaveedra 7. Gaveedra 7 is the birth name of Shattastar. It will be a compilation of songs by up and coming local artists from my city, as well as a few major underground artists, instrumental interludes, and spoken word. All produced by me. The concept of this project is the birth and introduction of Shattastar. I structure each project very conceptually, so the song titles will explain the story along with the music. But my goal is to make each project sound like a mini movie. As well as format it totally different from any album ever done in hip-hop. I wanna bring back originality and creativity. So G7 will definitely stand out from the typical norm that we hear everyday. Its definitely a masterpiece. I plan on releasing all three projects within the next month or so. I dont have a actual release date, but all three projects are done. They just have to get final mixed and mastered. Then I will release them for free download. So stay tuned.
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