HHP Exclusive Interview: Sha Stimuli

I had the chance to get up with Sha Stimuli for a quick online interview. From what he wrote dude seems mad cool, check it out…

TravisD: What up Sha Stimuli this is Travis from TheHipHopost.com, for those readers who aren’t familiar with you, could you give us a brief description of you and your musical style?

Sha: Well describing me is kind of tough. I’m not really someone that can be defined too simply but some would say I have a conversational style that sounds more like I’m talking to people rather than rapping. Maybe it’s because I don’t listen to too much rap anymore or maybe it’s because I’m inspired by Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder just as much as Biggie and Big Daddy Kane. I always try to make people feel what I’m saying to them and that is where my name comes from.

TD: What is going on right now in the life of Sha Stimuli?

Sha: Sha’s life is interesting because he only exists part of the time. Mostly in the studio and on stage he appears and right now he just completed Vs. The World, a new cd dropping this week and the election edition of March On Washington dropping November 18th on Traffic records. I am currently writing a script and a book and deciding what moves to make next since I set myself up to drop 12 cds this year. It’s been pretty fun and scary. I’ve been doing a lot of interviews and talking to a few labels but mostly i’ve just been planning. I took a break from recording to focus on how I’m going to market this EP called Never or Now. Other than that just shooting guns, selling drugs and boning chicks like the normal rapper stuff…i’m joking.

TD: I recently learned that you had the honor of being in the studio for the recording of arguably hip hop’s greatest album, Ready To Die, how would you describe that experience?

Sha: It was a great experience for me. I was into being an artist but at the time I just wanted to get better. Hearing and seeing Big work made me comfortable just being a fan of music. Big was amazing to me, his wordplay, his modesty and his work ethic was nuts. I remember him picking out beats for what I thought would be his demo from my brother’s tape. Some of those records really just stuck with me and reminded me that rap was highly influential.

TD: Who are you supporting in this year’s election? Any particular reasons?

Sha: I’m a fan of Obama for his views towards the American family. Well I shouldn’t say I’m a fan but I support him. I think a black president would be wonderful for the country to show its growth but we still have a bunch of hurdles to go before racism is buried. I don’t get caught up in much politics because i’m not the most knowledgeable when it comes to the government policies. But I am a human that believes in God so this election to me isnt as big on a spiritual level. I can get behind a candidate that may fight for some things that will make my life easier but in the grand scheme of things I have to take responsibility for my own actions and deal with whatever life throws me. Obama isnt paying my bills. Unless he wants to then I would gladly become his friend and support him.

TD: I have read a couple of your bios and saw some hints that you play basketball, be real, can you ball?

Sha: Be real? lol. I cannot tell a lie, I was decent in high school, ok in junior college, I went to Delaware state after juco and decided I didn’t love the game anymore. Now I try to play a few times a week and i’m not as good as I was but I can still run and jump and play defense. I’m gonna film some of my hoop dream moments and broadcast em to the world. Let the people decide.

TD: Do you have any projects in the works that we should know about?

Sha: I think I mentioned most of them, just be on the lookout for me. Next year I hope to drop official LPs Cinderella Man and if everything works out Thee Emotion Picture that was supposed to come out when I signed to Virgin records 3 years ago.

TD: Other than Biggie, who were some other artists that were big influences for you when you were growing up?

Sha: Big Daddy Kane, Lauryn Hill, Masta Ace, my brother Lord Digga and Nasir Jones.

TD: Do you have any close friends in the industry?

Sha: Nah I dont have any friends. I’m not even cool with my family. Well DJ Victorious and I work well together on these CDs i’ve been dropping so we’re almost friends now. I’m cool with a few producers, I speak to some rap guys from time to time but all my friends that I do business with end up disappearing if the biz dont work out. I’m not too fond of that. I think i might just get a dog…or a cat. Yea, cats are cool.

TD: What tracks/artists are getting heavy play with you right now?

Sha: T.I, Jazmine Sullivan, I still play Gnarls Barkley and umm my Hotter Than July Stevie Wonder tribute is back in rotation. It just made The Source magazine too.

Thanks Man

Travis D