“The Hitmaker” Big Shaady is living up to his namesake. One-third of group The Fist Coalition, the award-winning producer provides the sonic punch behind the growing list of Fist hits including “Where da Hood” featuring Rah Digga, “Live & Die Midwest” featuring Sixman, and “Hold The Crown” featuring Bizarre.
A living beat machine and a beat battle champion, Shaady impressively outlasted 59 other producers in July 2020 to win Mogul Status Media’s 7-hour “The Long Run” producer marathon.
Big Shaady took time out his busy schedule to answer our “2020 Twenty Questions” questionnaire! We hope THIS INTERVIEW entertains and inspires you.
On a scale of 1 to 10 how happy are you to be alive?
I would say 10.
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a child I always wanted to be a music producer or record executive.
What was your favorite cartoon?
I had so many but the number one was X-Men. I loved wolverine’s storyline!
Tell us your favorite song as a kid, as a teenager, and now as an adult.
“The Warning” by Biggie. I memorized that song so much.
What’s an album that means more to you now than it did when you first heard it?
That would have to be OutKast’s ATLiens. The reasons for this are because 1 – the artwork itself is dope, 2 – the sonics and the production was insane, and 3 – the lyrics just gave you a sense that this group was super creative and they had a message.
What are your 3 favorite movies?
Enter the Dragon, The Last Dragon, and House Party.
What’s the last film that made you cry or almost cry, and what scene did it?
Pursuit of Happiness, the scene where Will’s character locked himself in the bathroom in the train station just to get some sleep got me messed up.
What’s your all-time favorite TV show?
Martin.
Which character on that show do you identify with most?
Martin, because I’m always trying to be the comic relief in my relationship with my wife.
What makes you laugh out loud or smile uncontrollably every time you see it or hear it?
Umm… I would have to say when Bruce Lee kicked Hans in the head during the final fight scene and all you heard was this big sound effect and the way the dummy figure moved across the screen.
Who in your family served you the most delicious, unforgettable dish you’ve ever eaten?
My mother.
Tell us the most nutritious thing you’ve fed your mind.
I was reading Symbolic 1’s [S1] Pray, Focus, Plan and Execute. His life struggle was relatable to mine.
When did you start to understand your value?
The moment I entered in beat battles and showcases, and the responses and accolades I was getting, made me begin to know my value.
Who is the G.O.A.T. of your profession?
I would say Timbaland.
Do you aspire to be like them or more like someone you have a stronger personal connection to?
I aspire to be better than [him]. You don’t always want to finish at the same level as the predecessor, but you want to surpass them to become the greatest.
Recall for us the first time you failed. What lesson did you learn from that?
I would have to say when I didn’t make the top 3 in the iStandard producer showcase in 2016.
It taught me that I have to stand out more musically and also my beats have to sound [even] harder than others.
In what way have you evolved over the last 12 months?
I have evolved into a well-rounded producer by studying more genres of music, getting better at sound selection, not being afraid to learn from other peers to get better, and traveling to other showcase events and beat battles.
When was a time that someone you didn’t know did something nice for you? What did they do?
The moment I moved to AZ and my apartment was still not ready and I didn’t have enough for a hotel. So, a golfer who was on a professional tour saw that I was in a bad situation, he gave me his hotel suite for the night because he had to leave for California earlier than expected. I will never forget that moment.
How would you explain to someone the importance of valuing their time?
Time is important because time waits for no man or woman. Every second, every minute has to be embraced because it can be taken away with just a Thanos finger snap.
You learn, you practice, you evaluate good and bad, it helps you grow as an individual and you don’t want to waste it on dumb ideological things.
What’s been the biggest blessing of your life?
Seeing the growth and the process [unroll] in front of me. Seeing that my hard work is paying off. |THIS.
[By Mr. Joe Walker and Alex aka Grand Kai]
