Pick Of The Week #36: Shag

Pick Of The Week #36: Shag

The concept of Shag’s ‘Seperation’ beat tape is very interesting: Things start out strong. There’s happiness and loving words being traded, but then things begin to go sour, and a shift occurs. The tape finishes up with tracks dealing with separation, discovering the truth about people, discovering that maybe you’re okay with the truth, and discovering that maybe it’s already too late. Ultimately, it leaves you alone. Our Pick Of The Week is the last phase of this process.

After collaborating with Shag on the crazy Transitionalmix, we knew one thing for sure: we just have to share his music even more! Shag is a young beatmaker from Texas who has put out ten awesome beat tapes since December 2009.

His song ‘Standing By Yourself’ off Volume 9: Seperation is our Pick Of The Week. Stream it below or tune in to Laid Back Radio to hear it several times a day.

The concept of the ‘Seperation’ beat tape is very interesting: Things start out strong. There’s happiness and loving words being traded, but then things begin to go sour, and a shift occurs.

The tape finishes up with tracks dealing with separation, discovering the truth about people, discovering that maybe you’re okay with the truth, and discovering that maybe it’s already too late. Ultimately, it leaves you alone. The song above is the last phase of ‘Seperation’; ‘Standing By Yourself’.

We asked Shag a few short questions so you can get to know him a little!

Tell us who you are…

I’m an 18-year-old suburbanite living near Fort. Worth, Texas. I just graduated High School and am attending University in the Fall. I’ve been interested in music since a very young age, but actually just recently started getting more into Hip-Hop and Jazz. My life is very bland honestly, so just focus on the music.

What was the last song that really blew your mind when you heard it?

I would definitely have to say Elzhi’s remake of Nas’ Halftime. I didn’t expect him to be able to re-make the classic that is Illmatic as well as he did, so I was very pleasantly surprised.

Describe the music you love in 5 albums.

Snowing – I Could Do Whatever I Wanted If I Wanted
Ahmad Jamal – Genetic Walk
Madlib – Shades Of Blue
Why? – Alopecia
Brand New – Your Favorite Weapon

That’s a pretty accurate portrayal of my weird taste in music.

If you could have any super power what would it be? and how would you use it?

It’s cliche, but flying. God I would love to fly… See, I’m extremely impatient, so driving is the worst thing in the world to me; especially after you traverse the same roads day in and out. If I could fly, I would just grab my mp3 player, take off, and cruise around for a while. It would be so much faster, easier, and more scenic. Perfect, really.

Check out Shag at www.shag.bandcamp.com

Kamir Hiam (USA) has been obsessed with hip hop culture since discovering rap as a child in the mid 90s. As curator of The Find's Stay Thirsty podcast, he is an obsessive crate digger, always looking for more dope music. Other hobbies include travel, reading, fitness, and science.