When we look back on 2023, we’ll remember a year of triumph, tragedy, and transitions. Among the highlights the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop, questioned the validity of elected leadership, mourned countless lives lost in turmoil, and (finally) realized that Rapzilla.com is awesome. In THIS INTERVIEW we revisit the last 12 months from the perspective of Hip Hop artist Shane Kidd.
Making music that’s “renewing minds and redeeming dreams”, Shane’s album GOOD MOURNING is gourmet brain food served on gold vinyl. Songs “Beautiful Eulogy” and “Shadowboxing” (featuring Josias) showcase his pointed wordplay and compassion.
Shane took time out of his busy schedule to share some of his thoughts with us, answering THIS questionnaire about his life in 2023 and what to expect from him in 2024. THIS is for YOU!
How would you summarize 2023?
This was a year of settling. Not in the way we usually use the word, where I’m settling for less. More so, settling as in finding stability. 2022 was spent pushing an album, and I wanted to push it more, but life outside of music had more of my attention.
A lot of transitions happened in my personal life. I feel like those transitions put me in a place where I had to slow down and rest. I think of how the dough needs to rest before you cook it in the oven because without that resting, the bread ends up being thin and flat instead of whole.
Tell us how you evolved over the last 12 months.
Learning more about my self-worth has been my story lately. It’s easy for me to measure myself by how productive I’ve been. It’s been an ongoing process to exist in a space where I’m not defined by what I do or what people say about me. I’m an artist, so part of me cares about what people have to say. At the same time, I’ve learned to make my choices based on what’s best for my well-being.
Were you able to achieve the goals you set?
I did not achieve all my goals. I’m surprised at what I did achieve, though I wanted to increase my presence in the music space. To be honest, after I released “Good Vibes” and “April”, I had plans to release at least three other songs. But they never got finished.
Could I have pushed harder to complete them? Probably so. However, because of the personal transitions, I focused on my life outside of music. I will say I’m happy that despite that, I have a core of people still holding me down.
Did you face any challenges that turned out to be blessings?
Honestly, not releasing was a blessing. It let me know how well my audience will hold me down. I saw growth with more consistent listeners.
Who was there for you when you needed them most?
My wife and my close friends have been a consistent source of support.
In what ways were you reminded that you’re valuable?
Having some of my colleagues speak highly of me when I did not expect it. I know I just mentioned not being defined by what people say about me, but it does not mean affirmation does not matter. It helps motivate me to continue working in 2024, knowing others are noticing my creativity in my work.
How did you celebrate your birthday?
My birthday was good, and I had a big dinner with friends and family. If I have my people around me, I don’t need a lot for my birthday.
Which songs were the soundtrack of your life in 2023?
“Shed Tears” by Killer Mike, “Whole Man” by Taelor Gray, “Keep on Living” by Propaganda, and “Slow it Down” by Nas.
What was the best movie you saw, TV show you watched, and live event you attended?
I’d say seeing ThunderCat perform this year has been one of my favorite live events. His skill and humor with his stage presence are something I admire.
Did you read or hear anything inspiring or influential that you would recommend to others?
In David Kessler’s book Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief, he said something I think a lot of people need to hear: “Healing doesn’t mean the loss didn’t happen. It means that it no longer controls.”
Grief, whether it’s losing a person or ambiguous grief, that is, losing dreams, careers, etc., is something we will all encounter. And understanding how healing plays a role in making room for hope is valuable. Healing isn’t about forgetting the past but about freeing our future.
Tell us something you did to help someone in need, whether you knew them or not.
My day job is counseling, so my profession is about supporting people who need hope. Helping people learn self-compassion has been valuable. We are our harshest critics about how we’re doing in our lives, and learning to be kind to ourselves is helpful to our overall growth as human beings.
What can we expect from you in 2024?
New music in the form of some singles and at least an EP and a podcast focusing on mental health and music. | By Mr. Joe Walker
