FI Artists
 |
The Experience
Shawn Payton knows a lot about change. Born and raised in Jamaica Queens, NY, when he was 18 he decided to pack up and forsake the concrete jungle for the land of red clay. Setting in Atlanta, GA at the height of rap crews like the Dungeon Family, Shawn didn't have a hard time adjusting.
"I came down hear with an open mind," he says in his deep baritone. "My pops is from North Carolina, so I came to Atlanta knowing I was gonna see something different. When a lot of New York cats were coming down here talking crazy, like 'oh this ain't New York' I aint do that. That's why I came?”cuz it ain't like New York." He pauses then chuckles." Plus it's so many fine women down here you can't go wrong."
His music is a reflection of his easy-going personality. On the mic, he's relaxed, emitting a cool energy that compliments the complexity of his lyrics. Like most rappers, he came up listening to the genre, identifying with Hip Hop's unique ability to grasp trends, yet speak to the tradition of young people.
"I've always been a fan since I was a kid, but I started really rapping when I first heard Redman's Whut? Thee Album," he says. "That's how I became the monster that you hear now."
While his showmanship in the booth is undeniable?”he flips easily between styles and subject matter like a true rap stalwart, it took a while for Shawn to reach his level. He went threw a trashcan full of rap monikers and styles before finally settling into the beast he is on the mic now.
"I went from being a conscious rapper to trying all kinds of different looks," he admits. "I was just trying to find my way into the game."
But now things are different. The go-to emcee on Atlanta-based label, Fi Records, Shawn more comfortable than ever with his sound, which mergers the best elements of raw, street emceeing with melodic production courtesy of the label's in-house team and close affiliates. With his upcoming album, tentatively titled "the Experience" after Jimi Hendrix's classic record, Shawn hopes to show his range.
"I'm feeling good now," he says confidently. "I'm trying to come out just as me, no gimmicks. I'm feeling real good with the music and the production and just the team in general. It feels like a good match."
His lead single, "Blood" featuring Trouble and BigYo and produced by DJ Dana (Yung Joc, Gorrila Zoe) is a prime example of where Shawn is heading with his sound. Gritty and lyrically savvy, Shawn finds his place on the track easily over Dana's bounce-heavy production.
"People probably think I'm a linebacker from the way my voice sounds," he says, laughing at his signature dark baritone. "I feel like I'm an equipped spitter and I just want ot bring the fun back into the game. I'm not a thug, I'm not a super player, I'm just a guy that's out there rapping the song with you right before I jump on stage. I'm a fan of the music as well."
With a range of life experience that includes everything from working at an adult toy store to attending art school, Shawn's flexibility has given him notebooks full of things to rap about. Previously a member of the local rap group, Adult Film Stars, the group released the mixtapes, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap and The Casting Couch between 2006 and 2007, earning a small legion of fans with their live local and regional performances.
"The best part of performing live is the interaction with crowd," he says. "I like to holler at the people. I like to bring energy to what I'm saying. I might end up taking my shoes off or lifting my shirt up like a wrestler."
His outgoing nature is exemplified on the witty, "Check-Out Line" where he shares an experience about trying to holler at a girl at the grocery. Considering himself the average Joe rapper, Shawn's willingness to laugh at himself makes him that much more familiar to listeners.
"I was the smart ass kid," he acknowledges. "I was always the one trying to challenge the teacher. I guess that's why they kicked me out of the Art Institute."
Now infinitely more focused, Shawn's attention has shifted from teasing teachers, to pleasing Hip Hop heads with his artful lyricism.
"I feel like success comes when everybody knows who I am," he says. "The success will come with recognition and that's what I'm pushing for."
