Chad Thomas Carsten: Define Hip-Hop
Shadow: To me, hip-hop is about expressing your passion and skills within a community of like-minded people to help the culture grow. Hip-hop to me, is a form of escapism where I can be someone, be listened to and express my thoughts through my lyrics.
CTC: How has growing up in the UK influenced you as a recording artist today?
Shadow: Growing up in the UK has helped me in terms of my music, because my fans from outside of the UK love to hear what I have to say. Whether it’s about what is happening over here, or to learn a part of the English culture or just to hear my Northern accent. My supporters from the UK can relate to what I say and find it easier to understand my accent!
CTC: Why The Name “Shadow” and how does it reflect your music?
Shadow: I go by “The Darkest Reflection Of Humans” which is quite self-explanatory in terms of my sound.
CTC: At what age did you decide that the mic was your true destiny?
Shadow: I’ve always been creative, I used to make films on my parents video-tape camcorder when I was like 7-8 years old and always had a soft spot for music. Mainly listening to music with my headphones on and my eyes shut, picturing what the artists are saying and letting the instrumental put me in a mood. I began writing when I was 10, I had a little karaoke machine with a microphone and a tape player and I would write shit like “stuck up in my room with nothing but a mic, grounded for a week cos of a playground fight…” and elaborate on what I’d normally been in trouble for that week.
CTC: What one word best describes the nature of your music:
Shadow: Hmm…one word? Unique. That’s corny as fuck right?! Erm…Cumgasm…
CTC: What song of yours would you say is the most personal to date and why?
Shadow: The most personal to date that’s been released is probably ITSTLICBAS. Which is abbreviation for “If The Sky’s The Limit I Can Be A Star” which I have got tattooed across the top of my back. I wrote that song with my boy Tommo, we was in a place where we felt like no matter how hard we pushed, nothing was happening. A real low point, struggling to find the determination to keep doing what we love, because it became so tiring. So we put into words and made the track.
CTC: What’s the story behind your long artistic break and why it had to happen
Shadow: Woah, a lot of shit really. Me and girlfriend moved in together and got our own place. I had like 8 jobs last year too, these motherfuckers didn’t like. My main computer died (R.I.P). But the main reason was to take a step back after releasing Sour Milk and look at where I am, where I want to be and how I’m gonna get there.
CTC: What was your first initial reaction when you found out you were being sponsored by the UK clothing line Own The Night Clothing and how has the journey with them been thus far?
Shadow: I reached out to Own The Night as I had a few events coming up as well as a video shoot because they have some cool as fuck garms over there, check them out!
CTC: The Sour Milk EP: what is the concept behind its name and will there be a full length LP that ties into Sour Milk?
Shadow: I went with Sour Milk because it’s going off! When I was writing I was pulling a face that only artists know when they really feeling it. It’s like a disgusted face…kinda like tasting sour milk.
CTC: From UK 2 US looks to be a collaborative effort between you and fellow emcee Silenze It has been mentioned here and there as the next upcoming release. What kind of content can Shadow fans expect and how soon until full completion?
Shadow: Me and the homie Silenze have been putting in so much work for this over these past like 2 years. We just keep getting better at what we do so the recorded tracks just sit there. We are taking our time with this album to make sure it is absolutely perfect and not pressuring ourselves with a release date. This album everybody will see a complete different side of me, exposing all my versatility I have to offer.
CTC: Is it possible to leak a few names of the tracks featured on From UK 2 US and what the main focus behind those songs will be?
Shadow: *ZIPS MOUTH SHUT*
CTC: How did you and Silenze meet? And what brought forth the decision to do a record together?
Shadow: Silenze reached out to me online a couple years back and we immediately connected. The guy is my overseas family and we think very much alike. I dropped a verse on a track for one of his older releases and we kinda just played with the idea of putting a full album together, until we one day we just said fuck it let’s get to work. Musically, we work so well together, he’s like my older sensible brother.
CTC: Any music video plans?
Shadow: Yes there is…SURPRISES.
CTC: Will you tour the U.S. soon?
Shadow: Yes, yes, fuck yes. All in due time.
CTC: Top 5 Most influential Hip-Hop artists and why
Shadow: I’m a huge fan of the underground movement. No particular order, in fact too much respect to even number these artists. The Jokerr, he’s my mentor and friend and his music is dope! UK artist by the name of Ghetts, been around for years, a real poet. Silenze, not only my buddy but his music is real inspirational and real. Hopsin, gave me a massive boost when he shared my video and also dope live! And of course, the one and only Eminem. No explanation needed.
CTC: What’s in the future for Shadow
Shadow: All I’m saying is, keep in touch to be involved.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/Ux-B64bPeEk[/youtube]
Interviewer: Chad Thomas Carsten
Interview Date:01/21/15
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