By Busta Brown
In honor of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, I caught up with world renowned hip-hop artist Shocky Shay. Shocky has worked with the likes of LL Cool J, Roxanne Shante and more. She’s also the CEO of Super Soaps Enterprise, LLC., overseeing the production of a diverse range of products, from soaps to body butters, which have garnered widespread acclaim.
I’ve been a super fan of Prince ever since 1978, yet I never had the honor that Shocky and her mother did with His Royal Badness. A meeting she’ll never forget! Say hello to Shocky Shay!
At what age did you get into hip-hop? What was it about the music that attracted you and which artists were your inspirations?
I was actually five years old when my mother told me I was walking down Fordham Road in the Bronx rapping …. She said I’d say, ‘hey get outta my way, If ya don’t get out my way I’ll knock you out the way…’ Funny, I don’t remember that, but my parents always told me that I’d do that whenever we went somewhere and people were in the way… Inspiration artists, of course, would be MC Rock, Roxanne Shante, and Salt N Pepa. I was in absolute love when I heard Roxanne Shante.
Tell us two interesting stories about your journey into the music business and how you got your start.
I got my start in the music industry one day while working for a local record shop owned by Johnny Brown in Winston-Salem, when a phone call came in. It was Don Huggins from Hush productions in New York City. He said he needed a favor for Freddie Jackson, he wanted to see how his records were selling, and etc. So, I told him I needed a favor, too. He laughed and said, what is that? I said, well, I need a record deal; I’m a rapper. He said, ohhhh, you can’t RAP. I said, oh yes, I can, then I bust a quick one and he was def impressed. He immediately told me that I should come to New York to see him, and I made arrangements the same month! I was not playing around with him (lol). And the interesting journey is I made arrangements to go to New York, I recorded a demo a few days later, told HUSH I WAS coming; they said come right away. Then on the night I was leaving I let a friend listen to my demo, on the same day that I was supposed to get on the Greyhound at 12 midnight. Then suddenly the friend supposedly couldn’t find my demo. I was devastated!
What has been the most challenging part of your life as a female in the music business?
The most challenging part was being young and really not knowing the business at all, but at the same time thinking about what to do. Also, the competition between other female rappers. I was forced to diss Salt n Pepa, one of my favorite groups, from day one of hearing them. That was challenging! It just felt stupid to do that, like if I’m gonna diss someone at least it should be someone that didn’t like me!
What are your thoughts about today’s female hip-hop artists?
Today’s hip-hop artist is definitely interesting and some not in a good way. I think artists should definitely be themselves like do you sis, but … I want to see more female rappers that show top-notch class for themselves and our community.
Are there any areas you feel hip-hop should improve?
Yes, definitely. I feel the violence in hip-hop should improve tremendously. I mean, we literally made great hip-hop back in the day without all that and we kept the crowds jumping. Our hip-hop didn’t make the fans want to kill each other! Hip-hop is now associated with violence, extreme sexual content and murder, something I can’t be proud of.
Did you participate in the hip-hop 50th Anniversary celebration?
Yes, of course! I celebrated big time! I went to several events in New York, 50 Years of Hip-hop, where the mayor of New York City, Ice T, and too many to name were in attendance. I also went to The Mill Pond Park with so many legends coming together for the 50th reunion. And my latest celebration was on the LL Cool J Rock the Bells Cruise from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas, where many legends like me, dating back to the ‘70s was on that ship!
I entered the game 1988-1989. What challenges as a child and as an adult did you overcome that prepared you for the music business?
Little did I know that I was being prepared for the music industry my whole life … the way my mother and father raised me prepared me for most obstacles and tricks! I was prepared not to fall for certain things. I didn’t fall into a lot of situations because of my upbringing!
Why did you decide to make the transition to radio and how did you meet the legendary Frankie
Crocker?
Well, I never intended to be on radio, that honestly wasn’t my choice! I was placed there by a new label that signed me, the Apollo Records, who at the time owned THE Apollo Theater and 107.5 WBLS. I was walked in by Oliver Sutton with no prior history of radio, walked in straight to Frankie Crocker, the chief rocker, and he was told to teach me everything and to prepare me for my own show! I saw the good, the bad, and the ugly and I learned that nobody was loyal to nobody. I worked with DJs that thought their job was secure when I was there to replace them! It was dog eat dog, but it didn’t sit well with me.
How did your music career prepare you for the transition to radio?
That part was easy, being an artist has a very strong tie with the radio and the artist.
Tell us about the moment Prince shared that he’s a huge fan of yours and that unforgettable meeting.
I got the call from my attorney to tell me that Prince wants to meet me, I’m like Prince who? The actual prince didn’t even cross my mind! Unbelievable! So, it’s me plus one, so I take mama when I meet him. It was unreal because he never told me nor my attorney why he wanted to meet me, so yes, of course, I was nervous. But when I met him it was a moment that to this day hasn’t been topped! Prince told me that he was a huge fan of SHOCKY SHAY! I’m like what!! He knew every word to my latest demo and I was in awe. There was a lady in his entourage that said Shocky, we all know your demo because he always yells, play Shocky Shay again. I’m humbled! The things that he said to me and the reason he sent for me will only be revealed in my book that I’m currently still writing called “Since I was 5.”
What community causes are you most passionate about?
When it comes to community, I’m passionate about domestic violence. I am a survivor of cancer (which my mother didn’t survive) and homelessness, which could be any of us at any time.
Tell us about the work you’re doing with young people.
I’m very fortunate to work with the youth grades 6th -12th at Hampton’s Education Academy, where I teach a summer hip-hop course annually, indefinitely. In this program students learn about the legends, how they got started and what they’re doing now. Dr Hampton is changing the future of our universe one student at a time and I’m humbled to be a part of it.
How can someone contact you for speaking engagements and to purchase your products.
To contact me for all engagements, performances, hosting, animation reading to children, hip-hop classes, and radio interns, please contact my manager, Dr. Barr, at drbrr8@gmail.com.
Do you have a favorite quote or scripture?
“Be still and know that I am God” – Psalm 46:10.
What do you want us to remember most about Shocky Shay the woman, mother, and wife?
My life is happy because of my spiritual beliefs, good vibes, light, love, and my heartfelt energy, I’ve enjoy being a woman of purpose in life and being a mother has given me so much joy, God has allowed me to have five children and a husband that has given me four more children and I am so thankful. Shout out to Dr. Barr, my manager, and my sister Jackie, who is going hard to help me accomplish so many of my goals! You guys rock! And to you, Busta Brown, thank you for your support throughout the community and for the light you’ve shown as well.
I am the owner and CEO of a full-time family business named Super Soaps, where our focus is on crafting vegan, all-natural handmade soaps. You can find more about us on our website: thesupersoaps.com. Lastly, the North-Carolina House of Representatives presented me with a Certificate of Acknowledgement and Congratulations and whereas the mayor of the City of Winston-Salem presented me with a Proclamation announcing the Shocky Shay Day, which will be held annually on October 7.
My Phenomenal Person of the Week is Shocky Shay!
