New Music Friday: Shay D

We are back with our next #NewMusicFriday feature! This week we had the pleasure of catching up with the very dope Shay D who just dropped some fire with her new single 'Cold World'!

We hung out at our studio and got to know more about her creative process for her new single, learned more about her radio show, and the important youth work Shay is doing for her community... 👀

1. Who are you ?

I am Shay D, I rap, I create. From painting sneakers, to creating youth projects, curating tours to making Merch and my radio show. I just enjoy playing around with art whether music or designing. I am a born and bred Londoner but my family is Persian, I am really integrated in my culture and heritage as a British Iranian.

2. Tell us about your next single release?

My new single ‘Cold World’ is a rap tune. Its pure RAP RAP. No gimmicks, just realness. Its a hardbody beat by Filthy Gears who created Slice of the Pie. I just love spitting raw like this, its my favourite type of sound, it touches on the cold world we live in and how there is a struggle and a grit to going through life struggles but the pure hearted people always win. It's not as commercial or bouncy its for the true hip hop head!

3. When is the next project coming out? Give us an insight into your creative process.

My singles that have dropped in the past two months are leading up to the release of my album, Speaking in Tongues out in August. I have just had the time during lockdown to really make music that I love and enjoy and that I listen to, I wanted to be playful this time so I have lots of features with my friends, I re recorded a old song that I hadn’t released, I tried some singing, I just literally had fun making different songs. The genres go through journey too, from grime, to rap, to chilled hip hop.. its a journey.

4. Tell us more about your radio show?

I have a show on Reprezent Radio bi weekly called 'Everything Rap.’ The name speaks for itself! I celebrate new and underground music from all over the world. I have three main segments, ear to the ground where I showcase a artist under 21 years old for the first ever radio play, international spotlight where I pick a new non English speaking rap tune and plug it, and triple tuesday where I play 3 songs from one album or ep to give you a taste of the body of work. I also have guest DJs to bring you a different mix each show! It’s 2-4pm every other Saturday on lock in on reprezent.org.uk or 107.3fm DAB.

5.Tell us about your youth work & your artist community?

My youth work is my main passion. We run projects all over London, guiding and facilitating through workshops for young people to develop their skills and to gain insight and connections to the career they want to pursue. They are safe spaces for the young people to network and be mentored by artists who care about their well being and their development. Our projects are literally so fun and they are so talented. In a time where youth clubs were shutting down and youth violence in the uk was on the rise its so important to keep them on the right track and support them. These Youngers are our next leaders.

6.What else in the cards for Shay D ?

I have my first ever vinyl coming out which is so exciting! I am gassed I have always wanted a record and I love things you can hold and collect. I also have the all female rap tour I created, Queens of Art being filmed for my YouTube channel SHAY D RAP so keep a eye out! I will be working on some TV shows this year and have a mother EP called The Persian coming out for 2022.

7. Where can we find your work ?

shaydmusic.com and of course all the platforms like spotify, apple, tidal etc. my socials are all @shaydrap and im active! Get in touch!

Instagram: www.instagram.com/shaydrap

Twitter: www.twitter.com/shaydrap

Listen to Shay D's new track 'Cold World' NOW!