 "When the world forgets about you and cast you away,
you counter by making yourself relevant and proving them to them that you are absolutely essential"
These were the words of the Amityville native emcee,
Ra Shells, when asked about his thoughts on the ever -changing hip hop scene and his plans to overcome it's obstacles.
"I feel I am relevant to this new generation of hip hop. Only time will tell." Though currently deployed to Iraq for the next 10 months.
Tthe focused rhyme sayer has already put his plan into motion, releasing his first full length mixtape "Marginal Era", which became available for download March 30th 2011.
With earlier hits in the mixtape circuit like: "I hustle Hard, Wut it Do, and Tattoo", it's a mystery that he hasn't signed on the dotted line for an advance and a record deal yet.
Music began to play a major role in Shells' life in 2006 when he brought his first computer and linked up with Tacoma's local rap star, Bandit.
Together they began to craft multiple songs from the confines of a 1 bedroom apartment in Lakewood, Wa. It wasn't until his 1st deployment to Mosul, Iraq that he realized his amazing gift to write about any topic that came across his mind..
In 2009, Shellsboi made his first few features on numerous DJ Ames mixtapes, when the positive feedback came pouring in Shells began writing and recording more and more music in his 2-man room in Baghdad, Iraq.
With over 200 songs recorded and a powerhouse team backing him, there's no telling when he'll reach his peak
Follow RA Shells:
 
 Download Exclusive Media
(Link) Do Work
(Link) Ex Me
(Link) Hot Fire
(Link) Mile Awayl
Tell our readers, where your from.. I was born in Amityville, NY but spent the majority of my teenage years in New Port News, VA (Bad News)
Where did your name originate from? My uncle’s stage name was D Dub so he gave me the name Ra Dub. As I became older I wanted to move from out of his shadow so I changed it to Ra Shells.
What is a typical day like for you? My day is a little different than the average rapper’s day, being that I am in the Army and currently deployed overseas. I get up in the morning, run about 2 miles and then hit the gym. I eat 4 scrambled eggs and 2 strips of bacon with 2 hash browns on the side. Then I go on a 6 hour patrol, return to base, and start writing music. I record every so often if time permits but that’s my day in a nutshell.
Other then music what do you do to make that paper? I’m an Infantry soldier in the US Army. I design web pages on the side. It’s a lucrative hobby.
When did you first become introduced to hip-hop? It’s funny because I really don’t know. For as long as I can remember I’ve had a notebook in my pocket and a pen in my ear. So essentially I think I was just born into hip hop. I had decided that I wanted to be a rapperin 1996 when Jay z came out with Reasonable doubt and my uncle let me hear the “Feelin it” Track.
Coming up who were your influences in music? My uncle, Charlie Mack. He has always had some kind of say so in all of my projects. It’s crazy because my daughter, Amira, actually gives me a lot of the material I use as far as inspiration goes. Last but not least, my wife. Her honesty in her opinions always remind me that I’m far from perfect.
What artists/people in your life intrigued you to get into the business? Honestly, I started taking my hip hop dreams seriously when I realized that lyrically 90% of the music I hear is garbage. To make matters worst, the public actually embraces it. I had to make music that I could actually listen to.
How would you describe your style? In a nutshell my style is like : “It’s ok to party but have an occasion for the celebration.” I like making club songs but they have to have some kind of intelligence to it. I like to put a theme to every song that I write. I’d like to think of myself as unpredictable. Don’t get me wrong, I can give you a club hit today but tomorrow I have to bring you back to reality because that’s how life is. Everyday isn’t a huge party.
What artists are you currently working with? No big names yet. I’m in Iraq right now so networking is pretty hard. I got tracks featuring a lot of people that I expect to come up right behind me.
Who would you enjoy to work with? Drake and J Cole. Both of them have amazing amounts of potential and have figured out how to deliver a message in their music and still remain relevant on the music scene.
What one reason would your fans say separates you from the norm? That’s an easy one. The topics I cover are topics that a lot of people can’t speak on. I can actually talk to you about bombs over Baghdad, war politicians, and literally surviving day by day wondering if that next shot fired is gonna split your skull. But I’v spent my share of time in the hood as well so I can relate to them and bring them to my world.
What shows do you currently have lined up for this summer? Nothing yet. I can’t book anything till may 2011. That’s when my contract with the Army will expire. But as soon as I hit the ground I’ll be running.
What would you say makes you different than the average recording artist... Cause everything I say is true and I have the paperwork to prove it. I’m not trying to convince the fans to believe the contents of my song. I’m trying to warn them not to take the same route that |I did.
What's currently in your CD/MP3 player? Drake feat Alicia Keys “Fireworks
What’s your formula, how do you come up with the concepts for your material? Ok my formula is a perfect example of organized confusion. I write the main topic in the middle of the page in big letters and then I spider web sub categories to the topic and I just let my brain come up with words. Most of the time this method gives me enough information to actually freestyle the song. Most of my concepts come from other’s actions and their expected reactions. If I write a song about politics I know that I have to explain my beliefs compared to theirs (my fans) and then I have to initiate and finish the fight with all the naysayers before they even get to respond.
Where do you see yourself in the industry in the next 5 years? I see myself sitting somewhere close to rappers like Drake is sitting right now. I hope in 5 years I’ll be at my prime.
Where do you see the industry in 5 to 10 years? Legendary. A hip hop veteran that remains relevant to the game.
If you had to choose one track that will have HipHop.Org readers hooked, which track would it be? “Mile Away” from my latest mixtape “Black & White.”
Do you have any final words, shoutouts, etc for our community..? I hope to be to you what rappers like Jay z was to me. I expect the clout and the doubt from the haters and naysayers. To tell you the truth I embrace it. I want to start off hated so that I can make you love me. Shoutouts to Angelique, Helen, Amira, Blucifer, Gusto, Bandit, A dawg and many more….
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed
