Shawn Jackson

Photography by Joshua June

How does a dual coast rapper gain popularity? Better yet, what could one consider a dual coastian? The Game pulls the influence from the NWA, but was once down with G-Unit (for whatever that’s worth), and many other rappers who populate the mainstream suggest they have international appeal and can’t be contained to one coast.

Inversely, Shawn Jackson has his roots in Englewood, CA, and spent the formative years of 13- 20’s in Providence, Rhode Island. These roots helped young Shawn develop “two different perspectives on the game and how to work a verse.” These perspectives have changed how Jackson flips lyrically, as well as how he approached his upcoming project, First Of All.

Keep in mind, however, this lyrical process, ain’t for everyone. In fact, Jackson doesn’t want to make music for everyone. “I don’t expect everyone to like what I like. The heads that are completely into my music are coming at it from the same place I am, so they are on the same vibe, this isn’t music for the mainstream.”

This place that Shawn comes from, is a Death Certificate era Ice Cube fanaticism, with an appreciation for the “east coast cold & political mentality.” These things, when applied to First Of All creates a cadence that isn’t quite “gangsta lean”, but isn’t a cold and stern delivery. “It’s not even like I’m doing something experimental, I have the ability to switch it up, and make different impacts on tracks, but it’s my producers who take me there.” This fact is bolstered by Jackson’s awareness that “the creative & collaborative side of the industry is so large now” and this fact allows his creative span to be both my “my gift & my curse.

“Everyday, my tastes change, and having had many years in the game, I’ve been lucky enough to be afforded the ability to go in several directions.” For the sake of providing an argument to toggle over, consider all of these options as the cause for bit incisiveness. Jackson, who seems to battle with brief moments of filp-fop-ism has truly defined his curse by imbibing it into his talents; making his gift, also his curse, so you figure that one out.

As it stands, Shawn Jackson doesn’t seem to be escaping from the underground industry, unless of course, it’s designed by his parameters. Which makes him a likely candidate for your next favorite inspiration, but a hero unsung by the credit card swiping, disposable income squandering buyers that make the locomotive of American musical commerce sputter along. And as he discovers his growing talents, which at this point “all allow the chance to work on several efforts, like the New Jack Hustle,” there is more than enough opportunity for him to prove that it’s not the coast that defines the caliber, but how one balances.