Welcome to another engaging edition of WIB Meets. On this one, we sat down with rap vet Shabaam Sahdeeq who shares some very interesting facts about himself, so many things came to light as the chat progresses and I must say you would wanna read it.

Sit back relax and learn something.

For the benefit of anyone who’s been living in an underground bunker for the past several years…who on earth are you?

I am Shabaam Sahdeeq, an emcee, a father, a artist, a barber, a hustler, and Hip-Hop renaissance man. I came up in the early ’90s, and I’m still here today.

How did you get started in music, and what drives you to continue? 

I got started in music by freestyling to dusty records in a dark basement. The love for the Hip-Hop as a whole is what gravitated me towards the culture.

Do you remember the first recording/song you ever made? 

I made so many. Me and my boy had a four track recorder wayyyy back. We used to experiment making songs. I can’t remember the first track I ever made, but my first song on wax that came out was  “It Could Happen” which dropped on Freeze Records back in 1996.

If a movie about your life in music was to be made, what interesting/strange moments and stories would you share to make the movie cool?

I had so many ups and downs in my life and music. Getting two record deals the same year had to be a highlight. One with Rawkus Records for my solo project, and one with Nervous records with my group Polyrhythm Addicts. All while I was still back and forth on tour with a Jazz/HipHop group called Us3 out of London, that had a deal on Blue Note, Capitol. I was on their second release and was touring the world with them.

Are there any other interesting facts about you that hardly anyone else knows?

My Mother is from Venezuela and I speak fluent Spanish. I recorded “Latin connection” in Spanish, with Big Lou, Chino Xl, and Thirstin Howl the 3rd.

What is the greatest thing about working in the music industry? And what would you change if you had the opportunity?

Traveling the world and feeding my family off my art has the be the greatest thing ever. I wouldn’t change anything. All my mistakes made me who I am.

Looking back, what have been the most important moments in your life so far? 

The birth of all my kids and getting married.

What have been the biggest highlights?

My children’s first steps and words, getting record deals and big money, touring the world, buying my first car with my own money, getting released from prison.

What has been your biggest challenge…and how did you overcome it?

Learning the business side of the industry, and learning from my mistakes. I’m still learning.

Who are your heroes? Why do they rock your world?

My hero is my mom. A single mother in the heart of Brooklyn, taking me to school with her at Medgar Evers college when I was just a kid.

Who have been the coolest, most memorable people you’ve met along the way, and how did they make an impact on your life? 

My Godfather Yomi. He has nothing to do with my music career, but he’s one the coolest people I’ve met. He constantly gives me guidance, and I speak to him as often as I can. Greg Nice from Nice & Smooth is like my big brother, he is the coolest and most encouraging person I’ve ever met in the industry, although I don’t see him as often as I’d like, but he’s definitely the coolest emcee I know. Thirsten Howl the 3rd always drops knowledge and keeps me on my Hip-Hop game. He brought me into the Lo Life Family and always encourage to me to never stop doing Hip-Hop, and keep pushing for the culture.

When you’re sitting on the porch age 97 what would you like to look back on and smile having achieved?

If i make it till that age its a blessing. Raising my children right would be my greatest accomplishment.

What has been your most memorable or inspirational gig and why? 

Hip-Hop Kemp in Europe is one of the biggest out door Hip-Hop festivals, and was very inspirational for me.

What has been your strangest celebrity encounter?

Never had one.

Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?

The Notorious B.I.G…”a t-bone steak, cheese eggs, and Welch’s Grape” (lmao).

What are the greatest songs, albums, books, movies, TV shows, websites you’ve ever come across?

Breaking Atoms by Main Source is one of my favorite albums. Amongst others like, Paid In Full by Rakim.  I’m a big Prince fan, he’s definitley my favorite R&B artist. “I like” by Guy is one of my favorite songs. Nas is one of my favorite artists. The Color Purple, City of God, and Paid in Full are some of my favorite movies. i don’t watch to much TV. YouTube, Google are the best sites. You can find answers and instructions to anything on there…lol.

Name five songs (yours excluded) that we would expect to find on your iPod or Music Player right now.

• Sean Price – “Go Rambo”

• J. Cole – “January 28th”

• Ghostface Killah – “Wildflower”

• Kendrick Lamar – “Complexion (A Zulu Love)”

• Roc Marciano (feat. Cormega) – “Ruff Town”

What special-hero type skills are you blessed with?

The super vision to see through the bullshit…lol.

Where can everyone reading this interview keep up with your adventures?

Here’s where you can find me….

• Website: http://www.shabaam-sahdeeq.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shabaam.sahdeeq

• Instagram: http://instagram.com/shabaamsahdeeq

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShabaamSahdeeq

Any final thoughts?

Support the independent artist.  

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