Q + A with Shunda K
Shunda K is quite passionate about her music and her life. This was evident when her band, Yo! Majesty, was featured in our 3rd issue in March of this year. During the following e-mail interview, Shunda enlightens us about her music, influences and the future of hip-hop.
IN*TANDEM: It’s been a while since we’ve chatted with you, what have you been up to in the past few months?
Shunda K: I have so much going on, thank God. Well, back in June I dropped 2 mixtapes: The Best Eva Written…Outkast (where I used about 20 Outkast instros and created a project, which shows how faith in Jesus Christ can bring you out of anything) and Shunda K: Kollaborations (which features collaborations with various artists/producers I’ve worked with in the past 2 years or so). They both charted on the CMJ Hip Hop charts and that alone speaks for itself as far as where Shunda K stands in this industry…just know I’m standing!!! Aside from that, I’ve secured me a worldwide booking agent, where we’re gonna get this “Real Love Tour” kicked off in Australia, so world get ready, I told you I was coming!!! I”ll be releasing my first solo album as Shunda K on Fanatic/EMI early 2010, with plenty of singles out now for your listening pleasure. Oh, did I mention the mixtapes were free?! Yeah, they are at www.shundak.com. There are over 40 tracks available in addition to the Peaches mixtape, so yall eat it up!!!
Read the rest of the Q + A after the jump.
IN*TANDEM: You put out several free tracks earlier this summer after you parted ways with Domino Records, why the transition? Are you nervous at all without a label backing you and your music?
SK: I had to release this music for free as I am still signed to Domino even though they have agreed to release Yo Majesty. Honestly, I need a good attorney that can put in some pro bono work on this as I have the fame, but the fortune’s not matching up and I would love to put this all behind me as soon as possible. Anybody that can lend a hand, please holla back at shundak@gmeqca.com.
Aside from that, everything that I have been praying for has been coming to past from being released from Domino to having the ability to release my own album (solo wise) and keep it moving. You know I had to have a lot of strength to endure what I did. Keep it moving on their ass!
I didn’t realize how much everything effected me till jus now. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I completely lost myself in all the drama and had to find myself and still am as I type this! I mean to completely detach who you are for a cause (in my case the people) and only having negative re-enforcement, you have to deal with, from the very vehicle that must be used to complete the mission is some crazy ass shit that can destroy even the strongest of man.
Its like a body that fights against itself…its only a matter of time before its destroyed to the point that no one can restore it but God if its to survive.
And so, instead of asking if God can restore Yo Majesty, I asked if God would restore me as I had given all I felt I needed to give to people, period!!! Now, it’s my choice and I’m gonna do what I wanna do. Nothing is gonna stand in the my way, with God leading the way!
I’m not nervous about a label not backing me as I have labels that want to back and will back me, however I haven’t signed anything yet. Everything is all verbal. I just need to breathe for a minute without being tied down specially when monies are not involved. We can deal with more bullshit with a little change in our pocket to keep us occupied ya know? So, I jus thank God that everything has happened the way it did and all that. I have no regrets, really! I know who I am and I know what I need to do. God has given me the vision since 1998 when I created what Yo Majesty was and is in my mind for the very first time. Yo! Majesty’s first album, Futuristically Speaking…Never Be Afraid was a prophesy. I spoke into the atmosphere that I knew was gonna start working as soon as it was spoken out of my mouth. I knew I was striving to be cause honestly; I hate the dark and get afraid sometimes when I’m in it. So, I have some more growing to do.
I love the light though and I gotta let my light shine. Nothing can stop my shine or get in the way of it anymore. I can’t allow it. Its not even about me either. I jus got this WORD from the Lord for the people and now’s the time. Now, that’s something to be scared of… standing up for Jesus as the history of what happens to people that do is not good, at all is it!
IN*TANDEM: How does your past and family history play out in your music?
SK: I talk about everything I’ve been through and really that’s all I can do. It would be a lot harder for me to make up something. I have nothing to hide and have some things in my life that I’m ashamed of, but I cant hate myself. This season is all about us loving ourselves. You have to get to that point in your life as soon as possible cause when you’re not loving you, you’re missing out on a whole other dimension of your life that you really don’t even know could exist, but bring you so much joy, happiness, love, peace… I mean, the list goes on and on!
IN*TANDEM: Are there any artist you’d love to collaborate with in the future?
SK: I’m thinking I wanna work wit some of everybody. I think the first person that I really, really considered after reading this is Chris Brown. He needs to be encouraged right now and honestly, I feel like he was almost destroyed through the whole fiasco he went through.
I would love for us to make something hott and steamy for the ladies, someone hot to dance to, and a song of faith. He’s got love for God and not scared to be himself and do what he do. Keep ya head up Mr. Brown. We got work to do man!
IN*TANDEM: Who are the biggest influences on your music?
SK:The most important influence is my Lord & personal Saviour, Jesus Christ, then my life all the way around–from my relationship with my wife to my feelings on politics and all the mess going on in the world. What influences me is what everyday people talk about!
IN*TANDEM: Hip-hop has gone through so many changes, how do you envision its future in the next 10 or 20 years?
SK: Hip Hop is being restored, so keep an ear out as more conscience music starts pouring out. What’s really, real in the battlefield, ya know!
Shunda K’s mixtapes, Shunda K Presents: The Best Eva Written... Outkast and Shunda K: Kollaborations, is available for free via Bandcamp. For upcoming tour dates visit Shunda K’s official site and MySpace page.
- November 11th
4 Responses to “Q + A with Shunda K”
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