hotboxed the batmobile

 
Many artist struggle to find their image or sound in the music industry, and when they do find it, its similar to the next up and coming “rapper”. Only on rare occasions does the world get introduced to an artist that has all the trimmings of an original superstar. His Name is Shakasaiyah “the undergrund gor-realla messiah”. A nomad in every sense of the Word, Shaksaiyah or Shaka,  grew up in several different states in the poorest conditions imaginable; it was in those dark moments that he began writing songs to forget about all that was around him. At the age of 8 and inspired by a younger brother he we wrote his first song: “the rats”. He explains: “music is real life shit; Its about real life shit, and if it an’t real then it an’t music. Others can fake it till they make it, but that only encourages people to be fake. When I make my music, I try my hardest to say something  that will encurage people to think  and appreciate life”.  After he  barely graduated high school he started to take his music more serious releasing mix-tapes with his family.
 In 2011 while attaining his Bachelors in Creative Writing at UCF he formed a band The BackWater Space Kadetz and took over the east-side of Orlando. “ The response I got from students like myself was amazing. I would preform at small lounges and coffee shops on the other side of town, walk downtown weeks later and bump into a fan who knew the words to my songs, songs that were recorded in my bed on the most basic equipment and a headset microphone!”.  As his name grew on the east-side and Downtown Orlando Area, the piece began to fall together. By the end of 2011 he had won 3rd place at an event for Habitat Humanities, a Baddest Band of the Year Award, and he began recording his debut album  “Hood Rock” with lead guitarist Todd Snapp at JistRecords studio.  “ Todd and I worked strategically to come up with a new sound from an old sound. We just meshed our styles together and gave the album a futuristic appeal. Whether you like hip-hop or dub-step, you gone like the album. Its original, different, and for the people. Todd gave it that edge that made me razor sharp. “ JistRecords gave Shakasaiyah the freedom to experiment with different styles and beats. “ the songs on the Hood Rock album were already recorded but the quality sucked ass. After trial and equipment error, Todd and I hammered out my best work yet, my most eclectic. He even sung on a couple songs in the background. His input into the album can not be overstated, and although I had the work memorized in my head, some of the songs I had to write on the spot.” 
From the Opening song “Half Man, Half Amazing” one hears that combination of “Hood” innuendoes and rock-n-roll riffs that are Shakasaiyah’s energetic hallmarks. “The song is about being more than just a man, more than just an artist--its about being the best I can be and being remembered as such”, Shakasiayah notes, “the vibe of the song reminds me of Saul Williams' Coded Language and Tupac's will to be remembered as a legend.” The mash-up of hip-hop,rock-n-roll, and  Dub-step remains prevalent throughout Hood Rock. Shakasaiyah explains, “ Hood Rock is based on two sides of me: the black conscious element in my music and the rock-star element of my mentality. "When I write songs i'm thinking about my people and everyday life, but when I preform the songs, I’m thinking about going in as hard as can to show whoever my power and energy.” Its that sense of power and energy the pervades throughout the entire album.  Cloaked with deep bass lines, authentic distorted guitar rips, and messages of freedom and enjoying life—Shakasaiyah doesn’t just “rap” his songs he embodies them and interprets them for his audience. 
Shakasaiyah is currently working on selling his album independently, preparing for gigs, and recording a mix-tape on his family Record label called P.M.G. (Prezidential Muzic Group). “its a lot of work but it must be done. Its all about sending out a message that resonates with the people and making good music that they would want to listen to more than once. Its not about being a one hit wonder. Its not about making billions of dollars. Its not about dumbing down the people with poor shows. Its about quality and love for the craft and the fans.” And on Hood Rock, Shakasaiyah is definitely  holding true to his creed preforming his songs they way he wants to and taking all listeners on a magical  journey into space.


Many artist struggle to find their image or sound in the music industry, and when they do find it, its similar to the next up and coming “rapper”. Only on rare occasions does the world get introduced to an artist that has all the trimmings of an original superstar. His Name is Shakasaiyah “the undergrund gor-realla messiah”. A nomad in every sense of the Word, Shaksaiyah or Shaka,  grew up in several different states in the poorest conditions imaginable; it was in those dark moments that he began writing songs to forget about all that was around him. At the age of 8 and inspired by a younger brother he we wrote his first song: “the rats”. He explains: “music is real life shit; Its about real life shit, and if it an’t real then it an’t music. Others can fake it till they make it, but that only encourages people to be fake. When I make my music, I try my hardest to say something  that will encurage people to think  and appreciate life”.  After he  barely graduated high school he started to take his music more serious releasing mix-tapes with his family.
 In 2011 while attaining his Bachelors in Creative Writing at UCF he formed a band The BackWater Space Kadetz and took over the east-side of Orlando. “ The response I got from students like myself was amazing. I would preform at small lounges and coffee shops on the other side of town, walk downtown weeks later and bump into a fan who knew the words to my songs, songs that were recorded in my bed on the most basic equipment and a headset microphone!”.  As his name grew on the east-side and Downtown Orlando Area, the piece began to fall together. By the end of 2011 he had won 3rd place at an event for Habitat Humanities, a Baddest Band of the Year Award, and he began recording his debut album  “Hood Rock” with lead guitarist Todd Snapp at JistRecords studio.  “ Todd and I worked strategically to come up with a new sound from an old sound. We just meshed our styles together and gave the album a futuristic appeal. Whether you like hip-hop or dub-step, you gone like the album. Its original, different, and for the people. Todd gave it that edge that made me razor sharp. “ JistRecords gave Shakasaiyah the freedom to experiment with different styles and beats. “ the songs on the Hood Rock album were already recorded but the quality sucked ass. After trial and equipment error, Todd and I hammered out my best work yet, my most eclectic. He even sung on a couple songs in the background. His input into the album can not be overstated, and although I had the work memorized in my head, some of the songs I had to write on the spot.” 
From the Opening song “Half Man, Half Amazing” one hears that combination of “Hood” innuendoes and rock-n-roll riffs that are Shakasaiyah’s energetic hallmarks. “The song is about being more than just a man, more than just an artist--its about being the best I can be and being remembered as such”, Shakasiayah notes, “the vibe of the song reminds me of Saul Williams' Coded Language and Tupac's will to be remembered as a legend.” The mash-up of hip-hop,rock-n-roll, and  Dub-step remains prevalent throughout Hood Rock. Shakasaiyah explains, “ Hood Rock is based on two sides of me: the black conscious element in my music and the rock-star element of my mentality. "When I write songs i'm thinking about my people and everyday life, but when I preform the songs, I’m thinking about going in as hard as can to show whoever my power and energy.” Its that sense of power and energy the pervades throughout the entire album.  Cloaked with deep bass lines, authentic distorted guitar rips, and messages of freedom and enjoying life—Shakasaiyah doesn’t just “rap” his songs he embodies them and interprets them for his audience. 
Shakasaiyah is currently working on selling his album independently, preparing for gigs, and recording a mix-tape on his family Record label called P.M.G. (Prezidential Muzic Group). “its a lot of work but it must be done. Its all about sending out a message that resonates with the people and making good music that they would want to listen to more than once. Its not about being a one hit wonder. Its not about making billions of dollars. Its not about dumbing down the people with poor shows. Its about quality and love for the craft and the fans.” And on Hood Rock, Shakasaiyah is definitely  holding true to his creed preforming his songs they way he wants to and taking all listeners on a magical  journey into space.





i go by the name of shakasaiyah "the underground go-rella messiah" and i am the leader of the Backwater space Kadets, an elite tribe of musically inclined individuals who believe in making good music  that goes beyond the mundane shit on the radio--the shit played 8 fucking times already....you kno what im talking bout ...(play another nigga shit). we are crazy, weird, fucked up, high, intelligent and, creative, fearless, poetic, militant, political, and educated---and most of these people reside in my head but be not afraid. We are fucking ancient worrior's with cameras on big brother, tucked away in they offices and shit; we see what others don't and go where most refuse. we praise Moses and all his disciples screaming fuck yes! from tops of our lungs... the spirit has been lifted. over here we welcome all talent and look forward to collab with anyone that loves making music for the fucking sake of making music. for producers out there in the universe: send a nigga a good beat and ill send you back a hot song and eventually some money...fuck yes! i aint no crooked motherfucker i just want to continue to make the best music i can until the day i leave this bitch with people who feel the same way. as they say up north...one.

Melissa Mendoza | East Hollywood, CA 
@successissadrug

hotboxed the batmobile

prod. dr oct 👨🏻‍🔬👨🏼‍🚀