Shome

Shome - Enter Loot - TRILL HD

New Orleans native and Charlotte resident Shome hit me with the music video for his dope cut “Settle Down” directed by Devin Johnson The track is off the emcee’s mixtape Habitat For Humanity which is available now on Live Mixtapes & DatPiff. - lNDY LIVE MIXTAPES

It’s a honor to write about my good friend Shome. He recently released a new mixtape titled The Balancing Act in the middle of January. The mixtape involves features from the bros ForeverFC, BanksOnTheBeat, Nevamind, Senior and Elevator Jay. I really enjoyed this tape, Shome has been rapping for a few years, doing local shows and rocking the mic every few months in the booth to drop a project for his listeners. He pays homage to his New Orleans roots every chance he gets to let people know where he came from and also where he’s headed.

I had a chance to ask the homie 5 questions about his tape, to see where his mind was in the making of The Balancing Act:

NW: 1st things first I appreciate you making your music bruh. Majority of the stuff I hear from you, whether it’s a single or you being featured on someone else shit, is always A1, salute!

The tape is in rotation right now in my smoke session. What were your influences while making this project?

Shome: I really appreciate that homie! It was kind of influenced just by everyday life. As seasons change and you grow through trying times, your moods change. I was able to express a lot of my emotions during different time periods of my life in the last few years, which entails the mixtape.

NW: Did The Balancing Act turn out how you wanted it to, were there more songs you wanted to put on the tape? If so, did they have features and why didn’t they make it?

Shome: The Balancing Act almost is a compilation of some older tracks and newer tracks. I got to the point where I wanted to put out all the work I’ve done that wasn’t on a project, just so I can move on with more new music. I ended up recording a few more tracks, threw it on there, and that completed the project. I do have a few tracks I was featured on that I could have put on the project, but I’m more focused now on putting out newer material that helps define and paint a picture of who I am right now at my current state. Overall, I am happy with the mixtape and I’m excited about the process and to see the progress as I move forward.

NW: Production, beats, and rhymes — you picked some gems on this one. How was it working with the artists on the tape, was there a overall message or topic you wanted to stay on throughout the project?

Shome: Once again thank you homie! I’m a fan of all the guys who were featured on this tape! It’s always awesome to work with people who have a similar vision and just want to try and make the best music possible. In short, the tape is supposed to focus on balance. As humans, we all go through the ups and downs, but all search for a balance that keeps us content. I kind of just wanted to have different types of emotions and songs on the tape that defined that theory.

NW: What are your favorite tracks on The Balancing Act? Why were “The Curve” and “Enter Loot” short songs? (those 2 tracks were top 2 on my top 5 list) I wanted more, you killed hahaha.

Shome: Man I can’t pick favorites [laughs]. A lot of the tracks bring different concepts and feeling to the tape, that’s what I appreciate the most. As far as those short songs, that’s just how long the beat was that I got from the producers. I never went back and looped them, but I do see people appreciate them. Thanks for bumping those too! I really enjoyed writing both of those tracks and filming “Enter Loot” with FreshPres in NYC!

NW: CleanRapFact Question — what shoes did you have in rotation while making The Balancing Act? What kicks are in your daily rotation on the regular?

Shome: I’m one of those guys that buys sneakers to actually wear them [laughs]. It’s so many resellers and people out to make a quick buck nowadays. Flint 13′s, Olympic 7′s, Obsidian 12′s, black and blue 18′s, Pearl foams, Griffeys, Timbs, Clarks, amongst other shoes. Lately I just rock whatever is the most comfortable. Some Nike Roshe Runs, Nike Moccasins, The Gloves, and I brought it back with some white low-top Nike Air Forces and gum bottom Reebok classics too!

I appreciate the interview bro and a big shoutout to you guys over at The Clean Slate!

NW: And we appreciate you fam!

Download Shome’s The Balancing Act and get familiar. You’ll see much more from him this year, I’m sure of it. Also check out “Enter Loot” by Shome shot by FreshPres and produced by the bigger homie Nesby Phips.

Nick Whitehead - The Clean Slate 704

Shome‘s first Booth feature, November 2011’s Positive Vibes, saw him struggling to stay optimistic while dealing with the ups and downs of the hustle. Two years and change later, the New Orleans representative makes his grand re-entrance into the Booth with Get It All, a fresh EP single which is significantly darker in tone than his debut, but showcases the same determination to succeed. 183rd keeps it mellow and hazy on the production tip, layering moody synths over a downtempo rhythm section as the emcee updates us on his hustle and coolly brushes off the competition. Director Anthony Supreme‘s official visuals underscore the cut’s chilly, stripped-down vibe. Like what you’re hearing? More awaits on forthcoming EP The Balancing Act, scheduled for digital release on Wednesday, January 15. - DJ BOOTH

New Orleans native and Charlotte resident Shome hit me with the music video for his dope cut “Settle Down” directed by Devin Johnson The track is off the emcee’s mixtape Habitat For Humanity which is available now on Live Mixtapes & DatPiff. - kevinnottingham.com

Watch Shome's new video for "Hold Me Down".

For those unfamiliar, Shome is an emerging New Orleans emcee currently operating out of Charlotte, North Carolina. "Hold Me Down" is a bonus track from his recent project The Balancing Act, produced by New Mexico's BK Beats, who you may recall from this Curren$y remix.

Not your typical rap video, it finds Shome wandering some of the most rural areas of the NOLA. It was directed by Anthony Supreme, who handles the majority of Deniro Farrar's videography and art direction.

Cop The Balancing Act in our mixtape section. It features Schylerchaise, Senior, Lute, Forever FC, Elevator Jay, Jimmy Kelso and NevaMind, with production from June Jissle, Dhurl, 183rd, Wisterdice, DJ DR, BanksOnTheBeat and more (and hit these two with a follow on Twitter while you're at it: @Shome504 / @BKBeats.) - HOTNEWHIPHOP.COM

Premiere: Balance The Good With The Bad In Shome’s “Hold Me Down”
notupstate | March 4, 2014 | 0 Comments

shome

Today we are proud to premiere a video from one of our #SYLR selections, The Balancing Act. The project comes from a New Orleans native by way of Charlotte, Shome. As you listen to the BK Beats production reminiscent of a time long ago, Shome tells you about the pain in his life and the not so easy road of getting to a comfortable spot in his life, economically and artistically. Not only can you hear about his fight but you get beautifully shot sequences of New Orleans in black and white to match the solemnity. We had the chance to ask him a few questions about his ethnicity (Indian) in the Rap game and his conscience choices of song writing.

In NYC, we had Das Racist and Guerilla Warfare Tactics as Middle Eastern/Asian rappers but we don’t hear many from the South. Do you feel people looking at you different when they know that you rap? Do you have many other Indian friends who are a part of the Hip-Hop culture? How do your parents feel about your career choice?

First and foremost I’d like to thank you and the good folks over at The Source for recognizing my content.

But that’s what’s up! Shout out to the homie, Heems! I think people look at you differently these days when you say you Rap, regardless of what race you are. When I meet strangers, I don’t tell them I rap. I like when people figure out on their own or through word of mouth more than anything. Ironically, I have a lot of Indian supporters that back my movement, and have been sticking with me for a few years now. I’m very grateful. Hip-Hop itself has grown and evolved into something that cannot be limited. Once my parents saw how serious and passionate I was about music at such a young age, I think they had no choice but to embrace it.

How bad was your family affected by Katrina? How much have conditions improved? Do you ever plan on leaving New Orleans?

We had some flood/storm damage to our place, but not nearly as bad as some others. I think the storm affected people mentally and spiritually more than it did physically. That was definitely a trying time for the whole city. New Orleans has definitely improved over time-the first few years were tough. My family and I actually relocated to Charlotte, NC in 2007, but I go back to New Orleans all the time. Family, friends, food, the culture of New Orleans-it’s what made me.

You rap in “Hold Me Down” about realizing that you can’t have a 9-5 and you don’t get along with recruiters? Can you tell us that story?

Lol!! Yeah man. I was interning for a company out in Charlotte at the time. The days were long, I disliked the work they had me doing, and I really just hated answering to bosses. I kept telling myself that these guys weren’t much more qualified than me, and that there’s a bigger plan for me. I had just got off work and went to go record a song with my rapper friends Jimmy Kelso & Mullah Mugzie. In short, while writing my verse, I just came to the conclusion that I wasn’t happy working a “9-5.” It might never make me happy. The final results and outcome of a solid put-together music project is way more fulfilling than an hourly wage.

What do you do when you really feel like you’re about to lose it?

I keep to myself. That’s when you learn about yourself the most. I might have a drink or 2, too.

Why did you choose to go all verse and no hook on this one?

I’m just growing as an artist I feel. I’m at this stage where all I want to do is rap and get my emotions out and not worry about structures of a song. I try not to force anything on a track that I’m not completely comfortable with. I’m slowly progressing into composing and I’m excited about the process.

If you won the lottery tomorrow what would you do with the winnings?

I don’t think anyone knows the exact things they’d do. But I’m def helping out all of my family, loved ones and close friends with anything and everything they need. I’m buying all my homies Playstation 4′s. Paying off all my debts. Probably take a few trips to places I’ve never been. And then invest, invest, invest. Oh and get a personal chef! Just a few things among others LOL. - The Source Mag

Might as well celebrate Mardi Gras today with some New Orleans hip hop. Crescent City rapper Shome has dropped the Anthony Supreme-directed visuals for “Hold Me Down.” Produced by Potholes Music’s own BK Beats, the track appears off of the emcee’s The Balancing Act mixtape. Watch as a masked Shome takes a ride around his New Orleans neighborhood with some shots of the Big Easy on this Fat Tuesday. - POTHOLES IN MY BLOG

Shome is a rapper who was born in New Orleans, lives in Charlotte, and shows influences of both cities in his most recent mixtape, appropriately titled The Balancing Act. On the mixtape's standout song, the BK Beats-produced "Hold Me Down," he reflects on his background and the hardships that have come with living in both places. He sums up this past in a dark manner: "Clouded thoughts, dumb decisions, I could hardly see what's real." To match the gritty nature of the song, the Anthony Supreme-directed video is black-and-white, with Shome riding through town, lost in thought - Complex Mag

South: Shome – The Balancing Act

The New Orleans emcee uses his andante flows and smoky voice to help tell his ups and downs of life. No frilly raps here. The project acts as a soundtrack and a handbook to what it’s like in Shome’s streets. The production is spot on for the gravity of the real life Shome lives day to day-escapism mixed with realism. - The Source

Music Video - VEVO

I had the pleasure of speaking to New Orleans-raised and Charlotte-based rapper Shome, just a few days before Christmas. He told me about what it’s been like for him moving from New Orleans to Charlotte, interning for NBA team Charlotte Bobcats and earning his degree in Communications, his thoughts on Kanye West’s recent promo run, what the future holds for Charlotte’s music scene and his favourite meal from his mother.

Shome’s upcoming project The Balancing Act, will be released for free on 14th January. - This That New

183rd, Nesby and the entire FOrever FC crew make contributions to the latest mixtape from the North Carolina-via-New Orleans emcee. Tracklist, stream, and link down bottom. - 2dopeboyz