Rap is something you do, Hip-hop is something you live.

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Shaya

30, Male
Santa Rosa, United States

Hometown:

Bay Area

About Me:

“Nowadays, everybody got something to say about what I do. Just lemme do me!” Hailing from the underground hip-hop circuit is Shaya of the Packslangers Crew. With 10 years of paying dues in music, 2007 marks the release of his full length album, Fallen Awake under the iM Records umbrella. At 29 years of age this emcee has had his share of ups and downs in and out of the music industry. Born in Northern California to a local musician, and mother who struggles with multiple sclerosis, Shaya was forced to move from city to city. This proved to be a starting point for his music career. Raised in Indianapolis, Indiana and Sacramento, California among other places, he began to connect with the stories of poverty, crime, and adversity that was spoken in the inner city as well as those he personally endured. As time passed he possessed an uncanny ability to use words as a form of expression. This is evident in his rhymes. “I only speak from experience or what I seen my parents go through first hand.” Over melodic samples and hard hitting drums what this Cali-native writes could spark a riot, or make you shed a tear but still remain relevant. Working alongside of some promising young writers, Shaya has given new meaning to the term emcee. To go with his story of pain and struggle comes some of the most beautifully refreshing music that rap has materialized in a line of misfires and oversaturated offerings. Not one for egotism Shaya hopes to make a mark in hip-hop that will show people that what he has to say is important. “I hope people are as open to my shit, as they are to any other writer coming in the game.” With the first quarter coming to a close this summer should prove to be a level playing field for him. Most notably is his alliance with others like Eyezon, Truthlive, Sunset leagues, etc. That makes you wonder where this piece of poetry by way of rhythm is going to take us. Guess you’ll find out just as I did with a Sony cd walkman and headphones. If what I heard is what is being released all you so called heavy-hitters will be hitting the canvas hard.

Website:

www.myspace.com/shayaisme

Favorite Artist/Music:

Hip-hop, Jazz, 70s Soul

Favorite TV Shows:

Direct Effect, Distortion 2 Static, CMC Music Channel, BET