We were lucky to catch up with Shakeal Peets recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shakeal, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Well music is in my blood. My uncle was a pianist in a band called Jam band back in the Virgin Islands and my father was a singer in a group called XAQ as well, who opened up for Destiny’s child back in the day. So, it’s safe to say music runs in the family. As a kid I would watch my uncle put together melodies for their next project. But I mostly learn from observing others as well as paying attention to little details in different genres of music. But the best way I learn is mostly from trial and error.

Knowing what I know now, the first thing I would have done to speed up the process is learn the business of music as well as build my fan base earlier in life, because those two things I would say are the most important pieces in music. Learning the actual craft of music will come to you depending on ambition and determination.

As an artist you kinda have to educate yourself about the whole music industry, you gotta learn a little bit of everything. Reason being there will be scammers and people taking advantage of your talent in places you’re not educated in, so that’s the biggest obstacle that stood in my way.

Shakeal, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Well, I’m originally from the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas but grew up mostly in Orlando, FL, lived in Florida for most of my life but also bounced around a few states after graduating high school. Went from Florida, to NY to Pennsylvania and ATL. so mostly the east coast. Went to Colonial High school where the passion for Hip Hop all started. My brother and I opened up for 3 6 Mafia back in high school in 2004(that shows you how old I am lol), unfortunately he went on a different career route, but I caught the hip hop bug. I took a break from music to travel the world a little working alongside Carnival Cruise line and Norwegian Cruise Line as a Host. After that chapter closed the passion for Hip Hop and music in general picked up again. I started learning basics of songwriting mostly from YouTube and paying attention to details in some of my favorite songs. My inspiration for writing music comes from artist like Kanye west, Jill Scott, Michael Jackson, Erykah Badu, and Musiq Soulchild.

I don’t have a lot of connection within the music industry so I kinda had to learn the business myself as well as learn where to distribute my music, how to produce, engineer, and how to create beats, how to put together a music video, how to edit and direct etc. I mostly use distrokid as my distributor and to upload my music on platform such as Apple music and Spotify.

What sets me apart from other artist is just the ability to be myself in my music and not be addicted to the new trend or having the perfect sound or the perfect outfit, for me I kinda look for the imperfection in things.

I’m proud of my journey and how I’m able to take emotions and translate them into a song that can relate to people’s everyday situation, the ability to help people get through there day through a song is a gift and a superpower. I just want my fans and followers to know that I go out of my way everyday from the work I do to the many things I create to keep things authentic and real 100%. Regardless of how much money I do or dont make.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

There’re a few things society can do to support local artist. There’s a lot of local artists with great music great ideas and just great art in general. Society should give local and new artist a chance to showcase their talent especially if the creator is amazing. A lot of times local or new creators or artists don’t have the funds or capital to advertise their art. So, society should give the artist a chance to prove themselves or society should seek out new artist. Mainstream artist already have the fanbase and capital to advertise their art.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Top of the goal list is Financial and emotional freedom. To be able to make a living through my art.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4C3NKluan6mrI2KlLjCZun?si=oaa_yomGSga-GdGeTRzvhg
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shakealpeets/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIqqmVRzRUa6oc76TZjtaQw
• Other: