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SHAME INTERVIEW
1/23/07: Check out our interview with Shame. He has a new album out called California and he is giving it away for free on the internet. In this interview we discuss his upbringing, his musical influences, the political nature and tone of not only the album but our country, and much more. So sit back and enjoy the interview. Let me know what you think of the interview by clicking here. Here is the link to download the album.
D- So how did you get started in the game and who are your musical influences?
Shame: I’ve always been a fan of hip-hop and music in general but I didn’t start writing and really trying to create it myself until around 15 or 16. I think anyone who really has music in their heart will tell you that once you make your first song it becomes addicting. I have alot of influences musically but if I had to break it down I would say that Ice-T is probably the biggest. If you listen to all of his early projects like “Rhyme Pays”, “Power”, “O.G.” ect. he had the perfect mix of message, subject matter, emotion, and politics.
D- What are your thoughts on the state of rap on the west coast?
Shame: Being from the Bay we’ve always been considered the underdogs, even though we are still west coast, so when some people say right now the west is in a slump its nothing new to me. I think we really need to stop focusing on regions and start looking at why hip-hop in general is losing. Its sad that kids these days buy albums based on soundscan numbers rather than the “word on the street” type promotion that we used to back in the days.
D- As many people already know, you just dropped your new album, California, for free download on the internet. What has been the response from the album?
Shame: The feedback has been tremendous man. We accomplished over 2000 d/l’s in about 2 weeks with not one negative response. This is before even hitting the streets with the hardcopies. I have had people actually say that it was better than certain platinum selling artists projects. It’s a great feeling.
D- Well I am a big fan of the album. It is in the same vein as a Paris Dead Prez or a P.E. album in the way you talk about the political ways of our government. Will future albums from you address more issues like this?
Shame: I appreciate that man. I will always have something of social relevance in any project I do. That is what hip-hop is missing right now. I grew upon all of those artists that you mentioned so that is a great compliment to be mentioned in that category. Unfortunately its “cool” to be ignorant now days so you have chop that steak up in very small pieces before feeding it to the kids.
D- What are your thoughts on our current government and the way they are handling our country?
Shame: Well, of course this subject is very complicated but it basically breaks down to this in my opinion. Awareness and educating yourself is the key that will free you. The federal reserve is the biggest problem in this country, economically speaking, that keeps people down. If you don’t know how money works you will never be able to understand, completely, why all of these other problems exist. The fed is a private bank not a part of the federal government. If a country creates its own money and is plentiful enough in natural resources there is very little debt., and therefore very little poverty. When a country gives away its monetary sovereignty to a private entity, like the fed., it then has to borrow money, in the form of a bond, with interest. That interest is our national debt. The more debt we have the poorer we get. Many poor folks who lose hope resort to crime and drugs.
D-In What's Gangsta, you talk about the traits that make a person "gangsta". Is it not just the average gang banger on the street, but a single parent trying to make ends meet or a person working multiple jobs. Why do you think these type of hustlers do not get the same respect a gang banger does?
Shame: I think the main reason is because the family structure in this country has be broken apart. Its no secret that kids these days do not have a lot of positive roll models. If a kid is left to be on his own all day because his parents, if both are even there, are working 12 hours a day just to make ends meet then he/or she will become a product of the outside environment. All you have to do is look at that environment now days to see the problem. You turn on BET or MTV and its either bullshit reality shows or ignorant ass rappers running around with no sense. When the TV isn’t on, kids are busy playing videogames like grand theft auto that simulate all kinds of criminal shit. Corporations that could really care less become the parent.
D- I can relate to a song like What's Gangsta and Perfect Man living in the hood but not getting involved with the crime and gangs in the hood but I would see it every day. Along with being in a relationship and having a woman stick by you. Who were your role models growing up?
Shame: My mom and pops were probably the biggest even though I didn’t really see it as a youngster. My father came from a really fucked up situation when he was young and worked his ass off to keep food on the table and clothes on our back. At the same time he had a drinking problem and was a very introverted person most of the time which unfortunately had rubbed off on me when I was younger. My mom was always there and kept our minds right when times were tough. Either way I have nothing but respect for both of them regardless of the past.
D- What advice would you give to the youth for ways to not only better themselves but their environment? The issues you tackle really cross all color and religious barriers and lines.
Shame: The first thing would be to really educate yourself in critical thinking man. Public schools, for the most part, are not going to teach you HOW to think as much as they are going to teach you WHAT to think. Once you can tell the difference between fantasy and reality then your 10 steps ahead of the game. I’ll give you an example. Puff-Daddy did that whole vote or die shit a few years ago before the last presidential election. “Just vote, doesn’t matter for who, just vote”……type of thing and he received praise from both the entertainment and political community for being a good role model in hip-hop. Shameless self promotion.
Shame: I’ve always been a fan of hip-hop and music in general but I didn’t start writing and really trying to create it myself until around 15 or 16. I think anyone who really has music in their heart will tell you that once you make your first song it becomes addicting. I have alot of influences musically but if I had to break it down I would say that Ice-T is probably the biggest. If you listen to all of his early projects like “Rhyme Pays”, “Power”, “O.G.” ect. he had the perfect mix of message, subject matter, emotion, and politics.
D- What are your thoughts on the state of rap on the west coast?
Shame: Being from the Bay we’ve always been considered the underdogs, even though we are still west coast, so when some people say right now the west is in a slump its nothing new to me. I think we really need to stop focusing on regions and start looking at why hip-hop in general is losing. Its sad that kids these days buy albums based on soundscan numbers rather than the “word on the street” type promotion that we used to back in the days.
D- As many people already know, you just dropped your new album, California, for free download on the internet. What has been the response from the album?
Shame: The feedback has been tremendous man. We accomplished over 2000 d/l’s in about 2 weeks with not one negative response. This is before even hitting the streets with the hardcopies. I have had people actually say that it was better than certain platinum selling artists projects. It’s a great feeling.
D- Well I am a big fan of the album. It is in the same vein as a Paris Dead Prez or a P.E. album in the way you talk about the political ways of our government. Will future albums from you address more issues like this?
Shame: I appreciate that man. I will always have something of social relevance in any project I do. That is what hip-hop is missing right now. I grew upon all of those artists that you mentioned so that is a great compliment to be mentioned in that category. Unfortunately its “cool” to be ignorant now days so you have chop that steak up in very small pieces before feeding it to the kids.
D- What are your thoughts on our current government and the way they are handling our country?
Shame: Well, of course this subject is very complicated but it basically breaks down to this in my opinion. Awareness and educating yourself is the key that will free you. The federal reserve is the biggest problem in this country, economically speaking, that keeps people down. If you don’t know how money works you will never be able to understand, completely, why all of these other problems exist. The fed is a private bank not a part of the federal government. If a country creates its own money and is plentiful enough in natural resources there is very little debt., and therefore very little poverty. When a country gives away its monetary sovereignty to a private entity, like the fed., it then has to borrow money, in the form of a bond, with interest. That interest is our national debt. The more debt we have the poorer we get. Many poor folks who lose hope resort to crime and drugs.
D-In What's Gangsta, you talk about the traits that make a person "gangsta". Is it not just the average gang banger on the street, but a single parent trying to make ends meet or a person working multiple jobs. Why do you think these type of hustlers do not get the same respect a gang banger does?
Shame: I think the main reason is because the family structure in this country has be broken apart. Its no secret that kids these days do not have a lot of positive roll models. If a kid is left to be on his own all day because his parents, if both are even there, are working 12 hours a day just to make ends meet then he/or she will become a product of the outside environment. All you have to do is look at that environment now days to see the problem. You turn on BET or MTV and its either bullshit reality shows or ignorant ass rappers running around with no sense. When the TV isn’t on, kids are busy playing videogames like grand theft auto that simulate all kinds of criminal shit. Corporations that could really care less become the parent.
D- I can relate to a song like What's Gangsta and Perfect Man living in the hood but not getting involved with the crime and gangs in the hood but I would see it every day. Along with being in a relationship and having a woman stick by you. Who were your role models growing up?
Shame: My mom and pops were probably the biggest even though I didn’t really see it as a youngster. My father came from a really fucked up situation when he was young and worked his ass off to keep food on the table and clothes on our back. At the same time he had a drinking problem and was a very introverted person most of the time which unfortunately had rubbed off on me when I was younger. My mom was always there and kept our minds right when times were tough. Either way I have nothing but respect for both of them regardless of the past.
D- What advice would you give to the youth for ways to not only better themselves but their environment? The issues you tackle really cross all color and religious barriers and lines.
Shame: The first thing would be to really educate yourself in critical thinking man. Public schools, for the most part, are not going to teach you HOW to think as much as they are going to teach you WHAT to think. Once you can tell the difference between fantasy and reality then your 10 steps ahead of the game. I’ll give you an example. Puff-Daddy did that whole vote or die shit a few years ago before the last presidential election. “Just vote, doesn’t matter for who, just vote”……type of thing and he received praise from both the entertainment and political community for being a good role model in hip-hop. Shameless self promotion.
Why didn’t he explain the issues? Why didn’t he talk about the war? Why didn’t he use his celebrity to educate these young people into actually THINKING and not “just voting”? Maybe being too controversial wouldn’t have been good for Sean John sales. I don’t mean to just pick on Puff cause he might be a good dude at heart but my point is that there are a lot of celebrities out there that have a lot of pull and influence over these kids and hip-hop in general. I know rappers love to say “I'm not a role model..ect.” But fuck that…YOU ARE, whether you like it or not. Just at least try to do the right thing, no body’s perfect.
D- I thank you for taking the time out to do this interview. We will have to do this again. Any shout outs or last words?
Shame: Man, I just have to say that I appreciate all of your support and everyone else out there who's helping to push this project. Of course have to say what's up to all my folks. They all know who they are. Be on the look out for my label mates Savage Life album to drop this summer as well as my 2nd album.
Really the only other thing is to all the young folks out there just tryin to get by… just be yourself and don’t worry about what the next person is doing…just do you and it will all pan out.
Peace.
D- I thank you for taking the time out to do this interview. We will have to do this again. Any shout outs or last words?
Shame: Man, I just have to say that I appreciate all of your support and everyone else out there who's helping to push this project. Of course have to say what's up to all my folks. They all know who they are. Be on the look out for my label mates Savage Life album to drop this summer as well as my 2nd album.
Really the only other thing is to all the young folks out there just tryin to get by… just be yourself and don’t worry about what the next person is doing…just do you and it will all pan out.
Peace.
Shame's album is out right now. My man is talking about some real issues on this album. Give it a listen and let Shame know what you think of it at www.myspace.com/510shame
Again here is the link to download the album:
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