Shade Sheist sits down with Raptalk.net - Rap and Hip Hop Music Network

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Shade Sheist sits down with Raptalk.net

Interview by DubMD, newest addition to the Raptalk.net family.

RT: Shade Sheist, What's good?

Everything is good! I just got hired as the Indie Music Director over at SWURV in Las Vegas. It’s a good look yo.. Vegas is like a second home to PYO. Check us out on: www.swurvradio.com. I had to do it!

RT: Give the people a little bit of background on yourself.

Shade Sheist is that young cat who right-hooked the world a few years ago when then first song I ever dropped went #1 on the Billboards. I then did my best impression of Muhammad Ali by backing that up with 4 more singles that made it to the Top 10 and even as high as the Top 5. But what makes my story so interesting is that I was able to do all of this with the assistance of one man and he wasn’t Dr.Dre! When was the last time a virtual unknown stepped out on his own with a brand-new label from jump and then achieved everything (I) have so far? It’s history in the making, whether you want to accept it or not. I’m relevant when it comes to Westcoast Hip Hop.

RT: How did you come up with the name Shade Sheist?

It came up with me, really. My dawgs from my elementary days started calling me Shady because I was the quiet-type. I always used to stand back, just watch and listen to what was goin on. Back then, that’s what we called “Shady”. I changed it to Shade while I was in ATL working with Jermaine Dupri. I just blurted out “Shade Sheist” right before I started my verse. I guess I was tuning in to my alter ego or something. I was getting my Black Ty on! Ha.. But JD was like “yoooo, that’s a hot name son!” and I’ve run with it since. Later on in my career I realized that the “Sheist” in my name actually describes the music industry to a tee! So I’m really feelin my name now.

RT: Coming from L.A., what do you think of the L.A. music scene right now?

It’s crackin… but there’s no support whatsoever. Not from radio, not from too many artists outside this region and definitely not from any major labels! In fact, think of all the Westcoast artists that you heard got a deal in 2006.. Now, other than mixtapes and sh*t they released on the street when do you ever hear about these artists? On radio on anywhere? Very rarely, right? See.. that’s a problem. We got all this talent but the industry likes to ride the bandwagon of whatever is the sh*t at the moment. But everyone gets a turn.. and ours is coming again, sooner than you think. The question is, will the artists over here be ready for it?

RT: You've consistently been dropping mixtapes over the past few years, how important do you feel mixtapes are for indie artists?

I’ve actually been dropping albums to the streets more recently. Folks sometimes get confused because of the packaging of some of our projects.. but we drop Street Albums. But regardless of what you pump to the streets.. any release is as important as your career is to you. This is what truly defines an artist because how you treat your project will give you a clear insight as to what is to come in your career. Oh yeah, and (any) release coming from your camp is a representation of the entire label. Remember that, all you CEOs out there!

RT: You've recently created P.Y.O. Radio and it has become successful rather quickly, tell us a lil about that?

“The PYO Show” is now officially the #1 show on the internet and you can thank yourselves for making that a reality. The support of our loyal audience and the great submissions we receive daily are what make us. Our show caters to all those artists out there who would typically get no support from regional radio. So we offer a worldwide approach. If you can get on the internet.. you can tune-in, simple as that! So tune in to “The PYO Show” every Wednesday @ 6pm (pst) & Saturdays @ 10pm (pst) only on: www.swurvradio.com. If you want to get your music on the show, send a request for info to: pyoradio@aol.com.

RT: Do you have a new album dropping? What is it called & what can your fans expect?

I do have a new solo album coming later on in the year called “Star Quality” but next up for PYO is N.U.N.E. and I on a group Lp called “Movin Units”. We just dropped our first single “Baby We Can Do It” featuring John China and I’m about to hit 100,000 plays of it on my Myspace page! But wait until you hear the next single! That’s all I’m gonna say.. just remember I said that! But as far as “Movin Units” as well as my next solo project, you can expect nothing that you are used to from me. I’ve stepped my songs up like the terror alert! But don’t take it from me, I like to let my music speak for itself. You can get all our new projects on iTunes right now too!

RT: With this new project coming, are you getting with any big-name artists and producers?

We’re trying not to! I have a network of producers that are comparable to some of the big-names doin damage right now. So why go elsewhere? As far as artists.. our label houses some spitters! So it is not really necessary to have too many outside features. Domino and Redrum made it on the album though!

RT: What’s your label situation like right now?

I couldn’t ask for a better situation. There is nothing like true independence. Especially when you get that first check as an independent artist and you know that you did that for yourself. N.U.N.E. and I are out here killin the game: movin nice amounts of units through our popular website: www.putyourselfout.net, now we have the #1 radio show on the internet, and you can catch us on countless videogame and movie soundtrack titles. So I’d say our situation is just fine right now!

RT: Tell us a little about the P.Y.O. movement.

It started a few years ago. Two emcees got fed up with industry politics and instead of complaining, decided to do something about it. PYO Entertainment is the birthchild of that ideology. A label for artists, run by artists with experience in the game. Holla @ us and find out how (you) can “Put Yourself Out!”

RT: Back to the new project, when is it due to be released?

We would like to get “Movin Units” out this quarter. No sense in holding on to good music. We’re in the process of mixing and mastering the entire album as we speak. Look for it on iTunes and major retail chains near you soon!

RT: If you were to describe yourself as an emcee in 4 words, what would they be?

Distinct, Unique, Familiar and Relevant.

RT: Do you have anything you want to say to your fans? Any shout outs?

I got love for all of you who took the time out to read this interview. Your support keeps me creative. Look out for the new albums, the new movie, catch us on Youtube, Myspace, iTunes and all that! Shout out to my dawg N.U.N.E., my dawg Money Bloxx, Pharoah, Dre Stacato, XL Middleton and Bionik of Beat Science. Holla @ Ya Boy!