Sherwood Rahming (Bahamas) – “Q&A Interview”

Tell us a little about yourself. Where you are from? How long have you been making Hip Hop?

Sherwood: I’m 19 and I’m a Junior in college now. I’m from The Bahamas, but more specifically the island of Nassau. I started making music around late December 2012 but I always enjoyed writing. I wrote poems, project concepts, songs; anything I could think of. It just so happened that I found the means to turn it all into music after a random guy sold me a copy of “Reason”

What influences you have to making Hip Hop?

Sherwood: Well I’m a thinker, so there’s always some idea or concept going on in my head. Its the desire to put my ideas & concepts into the world that drives me to do music. Almost in a therapeutic sense, it allows me to vent or just talk about what’s important to me. I also like the way words can cause people to feel certain ways. So writing is something a take pride in.

Describe your music, and what separates you from other MCs?

Sherwood: My music is smooth,relate-able, and even surprising, but at the same time its conceptual designed to make listeners rethink certain things. Some people don’t believe that the things being said in the music could be me. What separates me from other MCs is that I’m not trying to be anyone or anything. Some people want to portray themselves as the “hardest”, or the “richest”. I’m different in that I know exactly who I am and I’ll let you know too. Most people are trying too hard to be something they’re not but I am who I am – laid back, mostly calm, and for the most part unassuming.

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Your definition of “Underground Hip Hop”?

Sherwood: To me, Underground Hip Hop is the “come as you are”of Hip Hop music, whereas Mainstream Hip Hop, for the most part, is the “this is how you need to be”. Underground Hip Hop is all about the passion despite where you’re from or how much you make. There’s no censor with it, so its not about playing cute to suite others. Its about saying and doing what you feel. Since I’ve gotten into music I’ve heard many people say “Pro Tools is the industry standard.” Underground Hip Hop isn’t about the “standards” people try to hold you to unless that standard is good music. I mean, I recorded “21st Century Slavery” in “Reason Essentials”! Not many people who make Hip Hop use that from what I’ve seen. So at the end of the day Underground Hip Hop is about what we feel, not about what the masses feel is the standard.

Production wise, who are your influences?  Who does your production, and who would you like to work with?

Sherwood: I look up to producers like Kanye West, 9th Wonder and Ryan Leslie. They’re all about the passion and soul. I do most of my production. I started off making some pretty weak instrumentals but I’ve learned a lot in a short time. I’d like to do a project with a friend of mine Hashaun – @sky_domain. He’s an amazing producer!

Any current or future projects you are promoting?

Sherwood: There’s nothing concrete at this moment. I’m thinking about releasing another EP in February but I just want to work on producing for other artists who I can vibe with. But if I do decide to release something for sure, UGHHBLOG will know first!

Describe the process of making “21st Century Slavery”?

Sherwood: The making of “21st Century Slavery” was a long process. I was writing lyrics for it before I knew how I would record it. The concept changed a million times before it became what it is. It was a depressing time for me. I was going through a bit of family problems and I was trying to find a job to keep some money in my pocket. Finally got one at a gas station and I hated every bit of it. The whole project is mostly inspired by that particular time in my life. I felt like I was trapped in hopelessness and depression and it made me question so much about life. “21st Century Slavery” is a result of being lost seen in songs like “Spiritual”. Its the result of wanting to do so much but being unable to because of financial position seen in songs like “Wine & Dine”. Its the result of seeing how situations can prevent us from moving past them seen in songs like “Problems”. The whole process of making “21st Century Slavery” was simply a transitional experience from being down in the dark to moving towards the light.

Where can we find your music and info?

My music is on my Soundcloud page, Youtube channel, Bandcamp & on DatPiff. All links below if interested.

https://soundcloud.com/islandunderground

http://www.youtube.com/user/SherwoodAndre/videos

https://islandunderground.bandcamp.com/

http://www.datpiff.com/Sherwood-21st-Century-Slavery-EP-mixtape.562642.html

Any shout outs?

Sherwood: I’d like to send a shout out to Propellerhead Software for making the greatest DAW with “Reason” and to UGHHBLOG for taking the time to listen to the music! I’m grateful.