Well, I have to give props once again to yet another underground hip hop artist that is really making more and more of an impact to the music scene! It's good to see that there are more and more lyrical artists that are coming back out onto the battleground, and the latest kat that I'm posting a write up on has made the game 'Shift' to a new direction. This hip hop artist's name? He goes by the name Shift, and he has a lot to quality original music to deliver into this repetitive era of hip hop!
Shift has been making moves for quite some time now, and with the lyrical skills that he possesses, it's no question as to why. He spits flames on the mic and brings lyrical, verbal variety which is something that has become more lacking since trap music and club music have taken over the vibes of hip hop lately.
Oddly enough, he had a major breakout performance with the song "Dumb It Down" which places a strong message about how hip hop artists are dumbing down their music more and more for the public instead of focusing on the true message behind their tracks. Shift firmly believes in the message and the artistry of music and hates what today's hit hip hop has become. "
I would love to be on radio, if only for the fact that my music would stand so far apart from all the same-sounding stuff playing right now" he says. This in itself is something I personally feel has been lost over the years with hip hop and rap music.
Shift has taken over the Richmond, VA underground hip hop scene and made his mark very known, and has since broken out with more and more performances and musical releases! He continues to shift the focus on his talents, and continues to thrive when spitting over just about any hip hop beats that he can get his lyrics onto! He made this known with his first official mixtape release, "Jean Grey", a mixtape whose premise was inspired by the comic book character Jean Grey (X-Men) and her duality as having her other persona, Phoenix (for those of you who are familiar with the character). In this manner as well, Shift shows his talent and ability to think outside the box with his content.
Shift takes great pride in his music, and strives more and more towards originality rather than blending in with the masses and trying to "fit in" as more and more artists are doing, especially in mainstream. I respect where Shift is coming from, as I take the same pride in my hip hop beats as well, making what comes to mind and bringing my own flava to it rather than to only make what "mainstream" dictates is "hot" nowadays. In the end, it's all about originality if you are trying to be an artist, and Shift is a very firm believer of bringing originality and being his own person and artist.
He continues to grind more and more, and has released several projects while also working on more as well, including another album, title yet to be decided. Among the other mixtapes he has put out, are Homebound, and Commercial Free Content, along with the latest work, "Silent Noize". You can hear more of his music and
download his music from his music page on his site,
Make-Shift-Happen.com.
All in all, Shift continues to make more moves for the love of the craft, and his lyrical prowess and talents continue to shine on his work. You can get a strong feel for his love for hip hop music through the wordplay on his many tracks. I enjoyed listening through the work he had, and can definitely say that this artist will be around for awhile, especially because his passion is what keeps him striving for more and more. And in the end, it's the passion that fuels the fire to keep making music, something that those of us who value and appreciate original content will continue to possess. Much respect Shift on the music from a beatmaker/producer who values originality as much as you do. The music and writing about it was definitely worthwhile.
Check Shift out on his site at
Make-Shift-Happen.com and hit up his Facebook page at
Facebook.com/therealshift. Much respect! Keep grindin!