RickShon: The Music Behind the Man

Rosemary Hau

This is the raw material I used to create my article, RickShon: The Man Behind the Music.  He is a personal friend of mine, so I was able to get details you won’t find anywhere else.  He’s got talent. 

Hey, what’s up Rick?  You’ve been working really hard lately on this music thing and I just wanted to say that I really admire your drive and determination.  So tell me, what are you working on right now?

I’m working on my second mixtape. It’s called “The Prodigal Son.” 

That’s an interesting name. Is it gonna have the same feel as “Under tha Underground?”

It’s actually gonna have more of a lyrical balance.  On the last album, I went a little light on the lyricism but now I’m showing my cards on this one.      

Okay…Tell me a little bit about “Under the Underground.”  

I named it because the underground circuit has almost a mainstream sound.  It isn’t too accessible. People can’t always hear their (the artists’) stuff.   I wasn’t on the underground circuit yet when I made the album so that’s pretty much why I called it that.  I was under the actual underground.

Do you have a favorite song on it?

My favorite song has to be the last song, “Dirty Jersey.” 

I love that song too but why?

It’s a song made for Jersey artists and Jersey people. We are so overlooked in the industry.  People always tend to think of New York when you think of East-Coast rap.  Nobody ever thinks about Jersey. But of course, you can’t blame people for doing that because a lot of Jersey artists don’t apply themselves to the fullest.  Not many of those artists have withstanding power.  Redman was the only one that I can really think of, but he kind of fell off.  People tend to generalize us (Jersey), and put us in the same field as New York which is kind of disrespectful.  We are our own state, with our own sound.     

I agree with you on that. Your music seems like it can be considered all around.  You have slow jams for the ladies, songs to be played in the club, and just raw songs with a hip-hop feel.  Do you think this is something that is lacking today?

Yes! Heavily.  Artists don’t know how to be themselves lately.  There are so many artists who are fake out there.  They try to portray an image that just isn’t them. I want people to see me throwing myself into the music. I want people to want to get to know me with the music.  If I don’t party all the time, why try to portray that all the time? If I’m not on the streets all day, why should I only talk about the streets?  People have such a negative outlet. They always talk about guns and ladies.  It’s not always about that. You have to switch it up. Put a variety with your music.  If you put out a conscious song, then u get thrown into a conscious category.  I don’t want to be categorized. I want people to put on my record and have it work for whatever mood that they are in. 

Wow! Good answer. So what should people expect in listening to “Under tha Underground?”

Good music.  That’s all I can really offer them. Of course there will be messages behind the songs but its still entertainment. Music to enjoy and listen to.  Kind of a  90’s hip-hop feel since that’s my type of style.  Just good music, good hooks, good beats, no half steppin. 

What about from you in the future, what should people expect?

In the future, expect to see a lot of me. I really want to get on, and I know it’s just around the corner. I’ll capitalize. Some people make hot albums, then you don’t hear from them. They fall to obscurity.  To me, each process leads to a bigger step and you gotta take advantage of that.    

What is the biggest thing that you want right now?  I know you are looking to get signed, but is there a specific label or contract that you are seeking out?

Not a specific label or anything, but in a contract.  Maybe like a three album deal from half a mil to 750K. That should cover me…I wanna do a double disc debut album.  That’s my objective. 

Is there anybody that you have always wanted to collaborate with?

NaS.  NaS is my favorite rapper. Naturally I wanna do a track with him. He’s the one who made me wanna do rap and actually rhyme. He had lyrical street rhyme with deep meaning to it. In doing a track with him, we would put crazy words together that make sense.  The collaboration would let people see where I got all my insight from.  It would be like a student working with a teacher. 

I also know that you have some acting behind your belt.  Is that something that you eventually want to move into?

Well of course… It’s part of growing as an individual and in the entertainment business. Acting would enable me in long run to do projects without the stresses of record labels. People have problems with labels sometimes.  They can’t get promotion. Acting can help to make money for promotion, if the label can’t cover it. That way I can cover it myself.  You care about your career the most out of everyone involved, so take it in your own hands. I enjoy them both the same. It’s like a win-win situation.

Are there certain actors/actresses that have inspired you to want to act?

Mostly I’d have to say Denzel.  He’s a method actor. I studied acting and took method classes. They pretty much become the character that is given to them. Also 2Pac.  He would have had a humongous career.  He’s a guy who could rhyme and act. He took those roles and brought them to life. Those two guys are the most prolific and inspiring to me. Denzel has longevity. He strategically takes roles and brings them out in movies. 2Pac was a young guy in the movie world. He proved everyone wrong who called him a rebel. He instead showed professionalism and put the hammer down on the stereotype of young black males. 

To get a little more personal, I know that your grandmother is one of your biggest inspirations. If she was still here today, what do you think she would want to tell you?

Just keep going, don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t do it. Put your all into it.  Put 400 % into it.  She’d tell me keep following my dreams. She gave up a college basketball scholarship just to be a teacher. So I know she would understand why I’m moving where I’m moving.  She was the one who always told me I was talented. I know she would be happy overall.

Give me a glimpse of who Roderick is, not RickShon.  Are they one in the same, or is your professional life different from your personal life?

They are one in the same. I don’t have a split personality like these other guys.  Roderick is RickShon.  My music is a reflection of myself as a person.  I’m not putting on an act.  I’m gonna be myself. 

Thanks for taking out the time to talk to me. I think you truly are gonna be successful in your coming career.  Good luck with everything.

Thank you.