We were lucky to catch up with Shaquan Bivins recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shaquan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

To this day, I say ’99 Camry Music has been my most impactful release. The title was inspired from my car that broke down on the way to my first SXSW performance. February 2020 I got with my producer/engineer to start a new project to suit where we were as a collective. I had just locked in my first show in HollyWood with “LA Unplugged” and wanted to keep the momentum up. It just so happens , the show was the last week before covid really shut the entire world down. So, given the circumstances , we focused on making a concise 5 track project. We released in April and after about 2 months, I was contacted by a rep from a major label, I was asked to come write music for a Warner Brothers movie. Though the music I made wasn’t selected for the film, that opportunity led to 2 films where my music was selected. I always will have a special place for 99 Camry Music, mainly for helping me set a new bar for my music.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started making music for fun in high school like most of us. Just as a way to hang out with friends and meet girls. With time we all started to run our own life courses and I got with some new friends around 21 to try and take music more seriously. That run was pivotal to my learning. That was all about failing forward. We were wide-eyed kids with a dream, but needed a lot more knowledge. Around 2017 I took it upon my self to do music alone and rebuild my team from the ground up. Some choice better than others, but all needed to get ahead if you ask me. After getting my footing back in the music scene, I geared my priority to growing a foundation for my fan base and doing bigger and better shows. I’ve opened for a number of acts from J. Stone of All Money In, to Shady Records top artist Westside Boogie. One thing i pride myself on, is putting together a great show for my fans and those watching who might become fans. I’m recognized as dependable, even being asked to come perform inside a week when tickets for some shows aren’t moving as wished. This was all achieved with focus and laying every brick perfectly as possible. I’ve always worked to get better in my artistry and as a business man to provide the best experience for everyone involved and its only gotten better with time.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I think they have been around & achievable. People are just wrapping their minds around it. I think back in the day when concerts gave exclusive posters and merch, those were NFT’s. Imagine going to see Michael Jackson on the Thriller tour, and you bought a T-shirt. That shirt is a prime example of a NFT. Its so unique and only so many AUTHENTIC shirts were made. Sure you can go buy a Thriller shirt at Walmart or Target, which is the equivalent to screen shooting the famous monkey thats going around in the NFT world. Sure you have something that looks like it, those who actually went the concert or purchased the monkey have a certificate of authenticity. Maurizio Cattelan recently sold a piece of art that was simply a banana taped to the wall, which is something I think we can all do. The difference is the certificate of authenticity. In 2013 Nipsey Hussle released physical units to his Crenshaw mixtape for $100.00, meanwhile the music itself was free online. He recognized back then, if we only have so many of these pressed up, the value is what we decide to make it. NFT’s are something to tape into not only in the metaverse/crypto world, but in real life as well.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I always attribute my victories to lessons I picked up in reading and in life. Right now I’m in the middle of reading 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing. Some other books that impacted my way of moving are 48 Laws of Power, The Art of War, Writing with Power, Public Enemies. I love history and pick up on the decisions people make in controversy. This industry is about remaining consistent. When you keep your nose to the dirt for so long, you can begin to feel unfulfilled. It’s easy to make a choice when things are simple but when our back is against the wall is where our focus and study get exposed. Not every war is meant to be fought. In the heat of the moment, can you keep your cool? Can you protect what you’ve worked to build with those around you? Can you make a decision and properly delegate to those around you? These are the things I focus on.

Contact Info:

• Website: Under Construction
• Instagram: @ShaquanThe28th
• Twitter: @ShaquanThe28th

Image Credits
Ethan Strait