Exposed Vocals Interviews Shawn Gates from Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland, Ohio ranks in the top 10 U.S Cities with Underrated Hip-hop

Whether it’s from Jay-Z representing the Empire State or 2Pac showing California love, certain places have always loomed larger than others in hip-hop’s mythology. But hip-hop is a national genre, and the music isn’t confined to a handful of prominent cities. So, let’s talk about Shawn Gates…

 Shawn Gates, a 26 year old hailing from Cleveland, OH. Currently, living in Tuskegee, Alabama – attending Tuskegee University as Business Major. Started doing music when he was 9 years old and recorded his first mixtape when he was 19 years old. Just released two mixtapes this past year titled ‘Before The Champagne” and “ Royalty Definitions On Datpiff.com. Also a song writer and music publisher for SESAC.

Let’s talk about ‘Royal Definitions’ – Produced by Just Blaze. The beat starts off with a haunting melody that can get a sloth amped. Literally, he starts out “swinging” with lyrics like ” Sammy Sosa to you f*cking clowns”

The genius in the way his lyrics flow is simply mind blowing! This track comes in just under two minutes but leaves you stunned long after. Shawn puts all of his heart in his punch lines like ” I just express my pain and hurt till there’s nothing left” 

Can’t help but respect his hussle and aggresive lyrics. This track spits hard knowledge “so pay attention and listen”  If you’re not from the streets you might learn something.

By HBdidit – Exposed Vocals Music Reviewer and Breaking News Contributor. 

A NYC fashion designer, music lover and lover of life!

Listen to ‘Royal Definitions’ Prod by Just Blaze  

 Exclusive Interview

Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?

I Heard of Exposed Vocals through Randy Morano, he contacted me via twitter to see if i would be interested in interviewing;and I checked out the website and happen to like it a lot so here I am lol!

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

I go by the name Shawn Gates I am from Cleveland, OH. but i l currently live in Tuskegee Alabama ( thats an hour and a half rom Atlanta for those lost right now lol)attending Tuskegee University a Senior lol double majoring in business admin and hospitality management. I was basically raised in foster home and later with my uncle in my teen years. I decided to become an artist because music has always helped me express myself and my emotions, being in foster home after foster home can take a toll on you so i needed an outlet.I chose rap because i would hear Puffy and Master P. etc rapping and it was cool so at the age of 9 i got one of those home alone tape recorders; a lot of people won’t remember that and i would record over song from the radio like Mase, silk the shocker thats how i got started.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

I changed my rap name from Caesar to Shawn Gates in 2004. came up with that name from apart of my first name then all my friends used to call me Bill Gates because I had a lot of gadgets and i used to be a golf caddied my pay back then to us was very good hahaha so Shawn Gates was born! lol that name has always had charisma to it lol!

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

I think online music sharing is the best thing since sliced bread  so to speak. All of my music is avilable for free until next year when I will drop my first album! I give away free music because you want to build a strong fan base and give the people a chance to hear you out something that rarely happens if you sale right off the bat, people wanna know that they aren’t wasting their money so give them a sample.

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? 

Yes, Work hard, network, grind this doesn’t just happen over night being into music and the industry takes up a lot of time stay in the studio you can party when your wealthy..not rich but Wealthy fame and money Will come if you are one of the few that works hard amongst your music class and out of it.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

I used to a lot when i first started performing i was nervous shy and wondering would they accept me, but you learn from your mistakes and you learn to keep pushing through your show. You’d be surprised at how people don’t even notice if you don’t make it obvious.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

Not heavy because i am in school at Tuskegee University but lol i have stories haha they are taboo tho thou shalt not speak of these moments hahaha you gotta be there!

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

From within myself my everyday life my past and my future i base my music off of me and how i grew up and live my life. Well I’m kinda good at song writing now i can finish writing a mixtape in about a week depending on how many songs ill try and knockout 3-4 a day and record all in the next week over Im a perfectionist so i have to give myself enough time to go back and rearrange things after I’ve heard it on some loud speakers. long as i got a coke and snacks and netflix I’m good lol

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

I am actually going to realize my website in about a month “www.shawngates.com” so look out for that and I release all my music on datpiff.com andsoundcloud.com.

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

my friends like to laugh because i have all of Toni Braxton’s music lol I’m jus hella old school i love R&B more than rap just a little irony there!

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

Mannnn id blow it all on females hahaha. lol no but seriously id invest it I’ve grown a lot so just wasting it would only make me angry id like to flip it turn a half of a million into 2 million. of course id get a few things for myself but that would be my main goal invest so you always come out with something!

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

I used to record myself using garage band on my mac and a usb mic. but now i love the feel of being in a real studio too much to go back.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Rule number one to life and this is the key to accomplishing your dreams you have to spend money on you before you can expect some one else to. if you can’t do that why should the next man. in saying that I work with Universal music Group when it comes to my promo and also I love networking can’t go wrong with that you never know who some one knows or is you gotta get out there.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

Id like to go back to cleveland and perform with 50 Cent,Ruff Ryders,Diplomats,Jay Z, Puff,  Bone Thugs , MGK, Biggie,Snoop, TI, Busta Rhymes,The Roots, Wiz Khalifa, Ghetto Boys, Run DMC,Rick Ross, and Eminem and D12 man that would be an awesome concert id actually sit in the crowd haha.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

I will be releasing my third mixtape Titled “Guns ’N’ Roses” at the begning of April it will consist of 16 track i love it already so i know you all will and its the last mixtape before I drop my album next year so be on the look out for that.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Id be Focused on school Full time utilizing my degrees to come I’ve always dreamed of managing the Ritz Carlton and owning my own hotel sometime before I’m 40 lol.

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?

Yes it Was 50 cents Get Rich Or die Trying (thats my favorite rapper by the way of all time lol followed by cassidy and dizzy bone lol.) but i was excited i would always listen to his music back then even before that album i could always relate to him on a lot outside of being shot lo but feeling like an outcast in the family like you were meant for something far greater it inspired me to know anything is possible.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

Its all about a schedule having a time line some people don’t realize how many hours you actually have i like to split them up in 3’s, 8,8,and 8 lol.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?

Look forward to greatness Look Forward to Shawn Gates! peace love one!