We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shane Kidd. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shane below.
Hi Shane, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?
I exist at an interesting crossroads, being a Hip Hop artist in some music spaces you have to work harder to earn your respect. Because the floor for artistry in Rap has changed, people think it’s just making words rhyme. While some are doing the minimum, some of us feel more responsible for the craft. Those who compose and refine creative cadences, melodies, and literary devices to catch the ear of the listener. I aim to combine these skills with the art of storytelling to create relatable content for the people around me to enjoy.
Another piece of feeling misunderstood is the fact that I am a professing Christian. Christianity and hip-hop have not had the best relationship. When I was a teenager, I remember a preacher perceived Hip-Hop to be this demonic agenda leading the youth astray. In some ways, I can get that perspective–if all you know of hip-hop is violence and misogyny. Those things exist in Hip-Hop; however, they are not the only things that exist in the culture.
Nowadays, it feels awkward, and in most Christian Spaces Hip-Hop is seen as something for the younger generation, especially considering we just celebrated 50 years of Hip-Hop. The culture of Hip-Hop is an expression of freedom for the marginalized so to not be invited into a faith that considers the “least of these” is just weird.
On the other side, you get misconceptions that you’re going to be this overtly gospel, Kirk Franklin-like person. Even with the success of someone like Lecrae, I think being Christian in the Hip-Hop community is still misunderstood. Interestingly enough some people are surprised to find out that I am a Christian. People who have heard my music describe me as conscious or inspirational, rather than Christian. But I understand that because most Christian representation in America is very religious in a “this is how you get to heaven” kind of way.
I believe the Christian faith has more to offer than those things, and we can speak to the human experience. We are all human beings looking to figure out what we are doing with our time in this world. Leading with the Human experience recognizes the desire for self-actualization and the transcendent. I just want to bring honesty to the conversation. We’re all trying to figure out life. For the everyday person, We’re all looking for something or someone to keep us grounded.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I had a passion for music in High school. I learned to rap from with friends while watching artists like Nas and Mos Def. In college, I took my craft seriously and released my first album in 2010 and my second in 2013. Depression happened in 2014 when I started working on my 3rd album. Interestingly enough, I did not know I was depressed. I just good at hiding it from others and myself. Going to therapy in 2019 changed my life and made me realize I wanted to be a therapist, also. In the midst of that, my music creativity returned and I released my 3rd and most recent album in 2022, Good Mourning.
The Hip Hop Artist I’ve grown into has been about connecting with the world through sharing my story. Our stories are power tools for connection. Nobody has the same exact story; however, there are common threads we may share that allow us to relate and empathize with one another. As a Therapist, I strive to support people in re-writing their story. As a Hip Hop artist, I look to model the work of re-writing your story.
As Rapper, I’m a wordsmith and strive to use language to tell intriguing narratives. My flavor of storytelling comes from my influences in Hip Hop like Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, and Outkast. Also, I integrate other cultural ideas with my stories from Black History, Art, Comics, Sci-fi, and Anime. Also through a Christian Rap group named The Cross Movement, I learned how to convey my faith through the artistry of Hip Hop. These references add an additional layer to most of the songs I write and provide gems and Easter eggs for the listener who’s aware. While I still strive for accessibility to the average listener, I still want to provide them with new discoveries with each additional listen.
My artistic style is for people who want to be introspective and desire aspirational anthems as they navigate their journey. Our culture discusses wellness, mental health, and self-care so much that I’m surprised we don’t have more artists attempting to share that in the music. But if you are looking for music that will inspire you on your healing and wellness journey, honestly, I’m your guy.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
The fact that I’m still making music is a story of resilience. I say that because my music is derived from authenticity. I had to choose to show up as the complete version of who I am even when I did not fully understand who I was at the time. I mention this because people hear many artists and do not care about what we’re doing. I chose to return to music after a 5-year hiatus.
The time in between revealed to me that I could overcome rejection. I applied to 4 different Graduate programs and was only accepted by one. At the same time, I was working at Target to make a living. I spent my last year working there amid the 2020 pandemic. Because of those things, I choose to return to music. I’ve proved to myself that I can achieve anything—If I don’t quit. So, I challenged myself not to give up on creating. I don’t do this to be famous. I do this because I want my music to make a difference in the lives of those who hear it. Since then Good Mourning has charted on iTunes and has been included on a few end-of-the-year Hip Hop lists.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Healing does not mean the loss did not happen. A low point of life was having my ex-fiance decide she no longer wanted to get married. I planned a future with a person I did not get to experience. After months of being depressed, I went to therapy seeking to regain the enjoyment for life I once had. It was in confronting how I felt about everything ending that I learned a lot about my self-worth. I not only learned that healing doesn’t mean the loss didn’t happen, but also that loss does not control me either.
There are many myths we believe about healing, another is to believe if we’re still triggered we’re not healed, as well. As a Trauma-informed counselor, I was taught how to support people while learning and unlearning how to respond to their triggers. For example, someone might remember a past experience, but they do not have to remain tied to it. Overall, I’ve learned that healing isn’t about being a perfect person—it’s about being an honest person.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shanekidd86.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shanekidd86/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shanekidd86
- Twitter: https://x.com/ShaneKidd86
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Shanekidd86
Image Credits
Zach Thomas and James L Morgan