We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shaun Harris a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Shaun thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
I think I would not have changed anything. I started rapping out in Tucson as a Jungle MC after a chance meeting with Shock-G of Digital Underground. This meeting led me to an experimental band, “Satori,” the band’s drummer, and a drum and bass DJ named Clay Steele. Who let me Jungle MC with him and the Historic Club Congress in Tucson, Arizona. I was just getting an associate degree in computers from a trade school. At the time, I didn’t think 24 years later; I would still be sound music and enjoying what I love—starting sooner? I can’t imagine it. I believe the path I am on is the one I should be on. I quit for 10 years and reemerged with My Partner LUGO to do two remarkable projects. So, I guess I started sooner and later? Hahaha.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a hip-hop artist from Tucson, Arizona. My creative work is to make contemporary hip-hop for adults. I often discuss topics such as life, love, and social commentary. Hip-hop is 50 now. Many of us Grew up with hip-hop, so my music reflects the Maturity of the adults we become and the problems and Joys it Brings. I want us adults to Enjoy Hip-hop on a mature level. Hip-hop is for the young and also the Old. As a hip-hop culture, we need to recognize and cultivate that further. My brand is a middle-aged man going through the ups and downs of life, love, and the pursuit to find one’s place in the universe.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I think you fail more than you succeed, but passion keeps you going. To understand this drive to be creative is a part of us, and we have it as a part of us and not just a hobby. You will get the most out of us if you let us be the creatives that we are. Understand and love us as a whole, not jut parts.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Support the Artist and find ways to meet the artist’s basic needs to continue creating art. Provide space to let them develop and mature as artists. Allow them to be experimental and unorthodox.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/shaunharris
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goshaunharris
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shaunharrisandLUGO?_rdr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@goshaunharris?si=QOnniubz6U3FZhm5
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/shaunharrisraps
- Other: https://shaunharrisraps.bandcamp.com/
Image Credits
Rocio Leon