Meet Shawn2Hot, founder of the Independent Record Label "Volcano Music Group"
A Must Read for Upcoming Rappers
When we featured Hip Hop Artist Shawn2Hot on our Sixteen Upcoming Rappers to Listen to List, it was the imagery on his track "Smile" that stood out to us from the beginning. As he raps "Where I'm from you had to learn how to smile", we're treated to a split screen of two opposite ways of life: On the right, we see Shawn struggling, a garbage bag slung over his shoulder, trudging through the Gritty streets of NY. On the left side of the screen though, he cruises in a vintage Cadillac. The "Come Up" theme of the visual and sharp lyrics put us on notice, but as we found out, Shawn2Hot is just as committed to putting other artists on as he is to his own music.
"As an artist I seen the bottom, wearing the same two pairs of shoes for years until they fell apart," He says. "You can’t tell me anything at all about struggles. I know what that’s like or not having anything to eat on a daily basis. I was strong in spirit, which shows in my journey as an artist." For Shawn, that journey started in Georgetown, Guyana where he was raised until coming to NY as a teenager. He describes his childhood as poor financially but rich in spirit and despite his circumstances, he remained fixated on a brighter day in the future.
"Sitting around waiting for a major label to pick my work up, seemed like a pipe dream. I needed to take control of the situation."
As a teen in NY, he began to build the foundation for the artist he is today. Already with a literary knack as a poet, Shawn2Hot started making music at seventeen, with Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle album as a source of inspiration. He honed his skills as a producer and writer progressively by ear, with no formal training. His Beat sales and Audio Production were promoted under name "Volcano Music", and it wasn't long before he got bigger plans for the movement. "I made a reasonable amount of money making and selling beats lease under the Volcano Music production, but I felt like I was limiting myself, He says. "Sitting around waiting for a major label to pick my work up, seemed like a pipe dream. I needed to take control of the situation." From that mindset, the Independent Record Label Volcano Music Group was born.
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Shawn2Hot didn't have to look far for Volcano Music Group's first artist. He joined forces with Elo TheFranchiseKid, the artist behind hits like "Pick a Side" and "Sunset". They drafted paperwork, talked structure and Marketing and included their friend Blind who saw the potential in the movement. What separates Volcano from other indie record labels, major labels etc is simple: "We actually care about you as an individual and Artist", Shawn2Hot says. "We put a budget up for each other to make things happen. From video production to studio time and marketing. If my artist fails I fail, there is a sense of ownership and family."
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As far what's next, Shawn2Hot is moving forward with his artists' best interests in mind. He's set on maintaining independence with his Record label and while he's open to a major partnership, creative control and a fair contract is key. Expect more content and dope videos from them this year and for Volcano Music Group to keep building in the years to come.
For upcoming rappers looking to get signed, Volcano Music Group wants artists who are willing to put the work in. "I want to sign artists that are willing to grind for what they want, write their own music, have a creative direction of where they want to go, and not afraid to invest in themselves," Shawn says. "You meet us half way, we will match your drive."Owning an Independent record label is a grind, but if Shawn2Hot has proven anything, it's that his upbringing has prepared him for this life. With veteran artists Elo Thefranchisekid holding it down and their ear to the streets for new talent, we wouldn't bet against them building something really special. If you like fire Hip Hop music, visuals and content, I suggest you keep an eye on what Volcano Music Group does next.