Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shon Ski. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Shon, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with 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 definitely felt misunderstood as a creative, simply because I’m naturally good at a lot of things. People don’t always know how digest the type of projects I create. Honestly it can be difficult for me to articulate. From radio to podcasting, performing and creating a business. People always ask, why? A lot times it’s just because I felt moved to do it. I don’t force anything that I do, it’s literally all off of feeling. When people get use to seeing you one way they typically stay there. The first time I sent a close friend one of my rap songs they did not like it, because they were use to hearing me sing. They said they didn’t feel it was me. I know who I am, I’m multifaceted. The only way you can get people to believe in what you do, is if you believe it. That’s it.
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 got into music and art as a child. It was an outlet for me. I met a guy in high school who asked me, what did I do. I told him I sang and he said well sing. And since then I’ve learned to speak for myself and show people who I am. I’ve always been about community building.
I got into radio and being a personality before an artist. It really helped me to understand perception and presentation. I’ve always wanted artists like myself to be able to express themselves to people they feel like care about the create. A lot of times we become sensitive and feel like we aren’t seen because folks don’t always express a genuine interest.
Radio/podcasting helped me to get the best parts of an artist’s personality to shine through from a very raw and genuine perspective. Highlighting the people who inspire me is something I’m extremely proud of and grateful for.
And being myself is something I’m proud of simply because of the relationships I built throughout my journey.
I don’t want to say that I’m different because we all are. I’m just authentic to myself. I give people me and the things I’ve embodied in my personality. The 90’s and 2000’s slang and fashion sense. The culture I grew up on/from. My city that raised me.
I am a recording artist. Performer, audio engineer, media personality, small business owner. Deeper than these titles I am a soul having a human experience, and embracing every aspect of that.
Everyone who genuinely connects with me and what I’m doing. I’m grateful and I wish to continue inspiring my people.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Society need to just let us live and be free. As creatives we get placed in this for your entertainment box, and they fail to realize how much we exploit our pain and shortcomings to make money. Whether it’s social media or the content/music you create. I wish there could be a bit more love and reciprocity in the art we create, and respect for the lives that we have to live.
Period.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I’m still unlearning the fact that validation shouldn’t be my motivation. This road gets tough and sometimes I lose faith. It’s okay to take moments away, and allow myself to feel how I feel. Also how I respond to people, everyone isn’t always in opposition. And everyone’s issues aren’t mine.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @shonskimedia
- Twitter: @shonski____
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCWyoiiqN8Hq7r91i4xs0YTw
- Other: https://www.gate.fm/eCuy7O
Image Credits
Madi.low