There’s no shortage of rappers at the Jersey Shore, but few are as versatile as Shore Shot. From solo projects that showcase his Hip-Hop roots and witty lyricism to collaborative efforts that span multiple genres but still allow him to show his mic skills there are few artists in the area that are equally at home in a cypher with the area’s best MC’s and on stage with a live band at the beach.
Going down the Shore Shot “rabbit hole” will take up several hours of you time. But, this interview will be a good introduction to the man that grew up listening to Boot Camp Clik at the Seaside Heights Boardwalk (“Is She Long Gone?”), still wants a house at the beach with a private rooftop basketball court (“Divine Feel”) and maintains very strong feelings about Sylvester Stallone’s 80’s masterpiece Over The Top.
When do you become a Hip-Hop fan and when did you make the transition to artist?
I became a fan as soon as my brother introduced me to Run DMC in the mid 80’s! I started writing rhymes when I was 17 or so.
You are a “solo artist” but there are a few collaborators that you seem to work with often. Who are they? What roles do they play? How did you meet them?
I’ve been creating with Erich Wald since 2010. He’s a singer/songwriter, musician, producer, music teacher, and a Berklee grad. We co-write and produce on the regular. We’re like family. The connections all stem from extended family, only to create more extended family. It’s funny how that works. My brother Freelance introduced me to a friend of his by the name of James Aquilina (who is now my brother/our contract lawyer), and James connected me with Erich.
I’ve been working with what I like to call a “Surf Ensemble” (funk/jazz/brass/hip-hop/soul band) for a few years now, and that all stems from my brother A.b. He set up an interview for me at Flip The Script Radio in Newark, and DJ C Reality invited me to perform at a live gig with him and his band at the Biergarten in Asbury Park. The rest has been history in terms of our live shows, cross collaborations, and unplugged recordings/releases.
I work with Matt Horant, who’s also like a brother to me. He’s a producer, my drummer, as well as my mix/mastering engineer. We met at his brother Daniel Roman’s studio for a recording session that I was invited to in 2014. The quality of recordings have been on another level ever since.
How would you describe the current Hip-Hop climate at the Jersey Shore? How have you seen it evolve over the last few years?
I think Hip-Hop has a better chance of living through other genres like Jazz, Blues, Funk, Rhythm and Soul and Rock-n-Roll around here. I’ve never seen it evolve or be embraced enough here.
On “Is She Long Gone?” you mention a lot of your early influences. Who do you like now and who from this generation are future artists shouting-out on similar tracks?
I enjoy Jillian Banks the most. My favorite albums of 2018 were by Leon Bridges, Evidence, Black Thought x Salaam Remi, Masta Ace x Marco Polo, and Iration.
On this generation of the rap side I’d have to say Nipsey Hussle, Joey Badass, Lecrae, Black Milk, and MC’s like Mad Squablz will be shouted out down the line.
You are a pretty versatile artist and in just the last few months you’ve performed at traditional Hip-Hop events (Asbury Hip-Hop Fest) and more mainstream events (Ocean County Fall Arts Festival), how important is that versatility for both booking shows and expanding your audience?
The importance is the relationships. It’s also having the right material to send someone when an opportunity presents itself. I was invited to perform at the Asbury Hip-Hop Fest by Christopher Solo (Featured in NJ: Next in July of 2018 under the stage name “Solo For Dolo”). We’ve performed at benefit shows in the past at Asbury Lanes and The Press Room. Anytime he needs me to support an event he’s got me.
Same goes for Rodney Coursey from Garden State Hip Hop. I happened to meet Kim Dippolito from The Harvest Arts Festival in Downtown TR while I was working at JR’s/Marucas in Seaside. She asked me to send her a link to the music and that’s how me and Erich got the gig!
“The Return of the Tide” project has a disproportionate number of Over The Top references for an album released in the 2010’s, what’s your favorite Sylvester Stallone movie and why?
Over The Top takes the cake for me. Greatest example of, “Getting in the gate” in my book!
What’s next for Shore Shot?
-Film and TV placements for the music is the focus.
-Performing live at the House of Independence for the ‘Jersey Live 3’ event put together by Garden State Hip Hop founder Rodney Coursey on 2/22.
-Third collaborative album with Erich Wald entitled, Field Day will release by the end of March
-More collaborations with The Rocky Balboa of the UFC underway.
-Having the band know 3-4 hours of my material like the back of their hand so we’re all set to fulfill our summer plans.
Rapid Fire Questions
Top 5 Rappers Dead or Alive:
1. Nas
2. Ghostface Killah
3. Jadakiss
4. Guru
5. Black Thought
Top 4 Venues to perform in NJ:
1. Stone Pony Summer Stage,
2. Sea Hear Now Festival
3. AC Beachfest Concert
4. PNC Arts Center
Top 3 Producers you would work with if money was no issue:
1. DJ Premier
2. Salaam Remi
3. Symbolyc1 (S1)
Top 2 Songs somebody that never heard of you should hear to get a feel for your music:
1. “How Would They Know” (slowly but Shorely)
2. “Smoke N Mirrors” (Extra Credit)
Top 1 Reason everybody should check out Shore Shot:
The music is in a class of its’ own.
Coming Up…
Garden State Hip-Hop Presents “NJ Live 3” – Several artists featured in “NJ Next” will be included in this mix of cyphers and live performances. Artists like Shore Shot, Chris Rockwell, Bulletproof Belv, Drew the Recluse with Black Suburbia and many others will be featured on February 22nd at House of Independents in Asbury Park. Get tickets now because NJ Live 2” sold out The Saint in 2017 and this event is bigger in every conceivable way.
DJ Danny Stax continued residency at Lil’ Brother Hideaway on Cookman Ave. in Asbury Park. “Wu-Tang Wednesdays” were such a success throughout 2018 that they have been extended through the new year. Learn more about the event in October’s “NJ Next” interview with Danny Stax and go check out the event before summer hits and it’s too packed to get in.
