Shelton Harris just released his EP Nothing Better. Harris was mentioned by WOHM after he went on tour with Macklemore, and he’s a classic example of the rise of young hip-hop in the Seattle scene. Harris recently performed at the Brothers from Another show. His distinctive style of music featuring easily recognizable samples fit in to the larger Seattle music trend of integrating different types of music into hip-hop. Read our interview with him below and make sure to check out his newest EP.
Most people heard of you when you went on tour with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis; how did you get that opportunity? How was it? How do you think it affected your career?
It started almost 2 years ago. I was a new fan of Mack and met him through a friend while he was looking for kids to be in his “Irish Celebration” video. I was in the video, that’s how I met him. We kept in touch a little bit over the course of that year and one day his girlfriend Tricia Davis actually messaged me on Facebook asking if I’d like to interview to be an intern on tour with them. It was as much a surprise to me as it was to everybody else believe me. haha. When I got to the studio turns out it wasn’t really an interview at all it was just Ben (Mack), Tricia, and Ryan asking me a few short questions and that was that ha. Next thing I knew I was traveling the country with one of the greatest teams I know of. It was incredible. A lot of work and being in a van for hours gets old, but overall I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. I learned a lot, and I wouldn’t say it affected my career because it really MADE my career. The hardest thing for a new artist to do is gain fans outside of your area. And I was in a different city every night. All I had to do was be myself, the fans were already there.
For listeners who aren’t acquainted with you, if you had to tell us in a couple lines about who you are as an artist/ what type of music you create, what would you say?
Love this question. Music has always been a part of me. Not just hip hop either but music in general. One of the greatest feelings I know of is hearing a song that you can really connect with or that you just love listening to. So I figured the only thing better than that would be to give that feeling back to someone else. Every song I make is just 100% me being me, and I hope that’s something people can relate to.
Tell us about Nothing Better. Do you think it differs from your previous work? If so, how?
Absolutely. Before I didn’t have much of a sense of direction as far as what kind of music I wanted to make. Mostly mixtape style tracks with no set verses or hooks just me rapping on someone else’s beat. As I started to find my sound, it made it easier to pick beats that matched me. Nothing Better is just my resume’ to the game. There’s some personal tracks, some fun ones, some summertime hits just a little of everything. I would call it my first serious project, my debut.
You’ve released a few tracks already, do you have any tracks that you would consider your favorite on the EP?
I released “Take It Back” awhile back and the feedback was amazing. That’s definitely one of my favorites, the message just defines who I am as an artist. I’m releasing a song in the next week or so that I’m sure people will dig. But my favorite is definitely a track called “Put Me On” which is an anthem from an indie artist to the fans. It’s very personal and I also kind of co-produced the beat which was my first time doing that. It’s a very high energy song I can’t wait to perform it.
So with the release of your album, you’re also making your headlining debut, which I’m sure is exciting. What should we expect from the show?
The show will be in my hometown of Bremerton, WA. I grew up there and that general area is where a lot of my support is at. The backbone of my fan base really. You can expect a more full set probably at least 45 minutes to an hour, as opposed to my usual 30. I’ll be so excited and nervous. I’ll probably fuck up but hey we’re there to have fun not stress, haha. I’m definitely hyped, not looking for a hugeeee turnout or a lot of profit really just to have a good time and perform for the people that want to see me. That’s what it’s all about.
What artists have influenced your music the most?
Hmmm. I remember the first time I ever even considered writing music I was listening to Blue Scholars and Eminem, haha. I was in like 11th grade. But when I started taking it serious it was mostly J. Cole and Wale. I just loved the realness both of those artists had. They kept it real when most others didn’t. But hands down my biggest influence has been Mack, because I’ve been able to see it first hand. Plus he’s just the realest dude out right now.
Who are your favorite Seattle artists?
Gotta love em all… but to name a few off top Macklemore, Sol, Grynch, & Sam Lachow. One artist I see as trouble in the future is this kid Dave B. Look him up, talent.
What do you do when you’re not making music?
I stay pretty busy. I work, I’m about a year into college, I’m a skateboarder, have been skating my whole life so I love to do that whenever I can. And just kickin’ it with friends, fam or of course my girl. I want to pick up producing, but that shit’s so hard. Haha.