Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
Shaahid: I heard about you guys on Facebook and I decided to sign up to get my name out there and my music iguess you can say haha.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Shaahid: well. My name is shaahid diaz I’m originally from Jacksonville Florida but moved to deltona Florida. Deltona is in between Daytona and Orlando. I grew up doing music. My dad was a dj and my mom was a singer. I started singing when I was about 5 and I just knew this was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Shaahid: well shy is just a nickname I grew up with and honestly I just used it because I couldn’t think of any other name to use haha.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Shaahid: I think music sharing is cool and dope. I think it’s a great way to get your music out as well as other people’s music out. And If you mean downloading wise yea my music is on YouTube to you can listen to it for free on there and I mean in the future I may give some songs to people i don’t know. I think it would be cool to hear other people singing my music that I wrote ya know.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Shaahid: my tip would be to just ship your music to any and everyone and thing you never know who might end up getting your music.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Shaahid: I’ve never performed on a stage before live that’s something that I’ve always wanted to do but I’m very shy which is terrible in my case haha it’s something I’m still learning to get over honestly but I think if u were to make a mistake who cares just role with it ya know most people won’t catch on to it they may think it’s apart of the show ya know.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Shaahid: I’ve never been on tour. But I would love love love to go on one I think it’s fun to share your music across the country and or globe and I think it’s good to let people here your live vocals and see the reaction of the crowds.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Shaahid: well my inspiration comes from a lot of things mostly past life experiences or things that are going on now but the process is kinda difficult not really you just have to pour your heart and soul in whatever u write.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Shaahid: no I don’t have a band. But I use like YouTube – shaahiddiaz and Facebook-shaahiddiaz and Twitter – @CarelesD sometimes and also instagram – @mrconcedid lol I know it’s misspelled and that’s what cool about it haha.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Shaahid: oh God I don’t know haha I listen to a lot of rihanna so iguess maybe that I don’t know. I think rihanna is dope I would LOVE to work with her if I ever got the chance to.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Shaahid: if I was given half a million dollars I would buy me, my brother, and dad a house and send money to all my family. And I don’t think I would take the year off honestly I love to work on music and always put New things out and hear the reaction that it gets.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Shaahid: well right now I work with my friend at his studio so no upgrades yet haha but we will see.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Shaahid: I like to use social media I would tell my friends to get the word out and things and it just works hahaha.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Shaahid: I would love to perform at the grammys with Michael Jackson I think that be amazing.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Shaahid: well I’ve been writing ALOT of songs ya know just trying to get more music ready to be put out its gonna be amazing I can’t wait.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Shaahid: going to school for nursing. I like taking care of people and putting smiles on there faces and things.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Shaahid: oh yes I bought rihanna good girl gone bad reloaded album haha haha it was my favorite honestly.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Shaahid: its not that hard at all you know you just have to find a balance between the two.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?
Shaahid: music music and more music hahaha.
