Artist Interview - Derrick Shorter
I had a chance to have a conversation with artist Derrick Shorter. We discussed his latest project, artist roots, and plans for the new year. Below is our conversation.
Ayesharp - Hey, so can you tell the viewers who you are as an artist, and where you're from? In short, how would you define yourself?
Shorter - I’m a one stop shop. I can do what many artists only talk about doing: I can produce, engineer myself, and have it sound like it came out of Mix Factory. I’m from Grand Rapids originally, which is what at of people don’t realize (laughs). People assume I’m from the the city because of how much influence Detroit has had on my music. That soulfulness came from the sound of Motown, hence why Marvin Gaye is one of my biggest influences.
Ayesharp - Nice, so speaking of influences who are some of your musical influences?
Shorter- I got 5 for you: Kanye, Dilla, Pharrell, Marvin Gaye, and Cardo.
Ayesharp - So let’s start from the beginning. So roughly, how long would you say you've been an artist?
Shorter - About eight years.
Ayesharp - Okay, So after being primarily known as a producer, what made you begin rapping? Or have you always been a rapper and production came second?
Shorter - I was always rapping. I actually started making beats, only because I didn’t want to buy beats on YouTube as a teenager (laughs). Plus I didn’t hear anything that fit what I wanted to sound like. So my production really just created a life of its own after a while. But I’ve always been a rapper mainly. That’s how I got into music.
Ayesharp - That’s dope, I never knew that. So regarding the album, I have to ask, what does SMBTNM stand for? I never got the acronym.
Shorter- Slow Motion Better Than No Motion. Same phrase I tweet almost every morning (laughs).
Ayesharp - I had no clue (laughs). So about the album. How long did it take you to make the album, and what was the most challenging part about making this album?
Shorter- I started on “SMBTNM 2” back in August-September 2021. There are actually three different versions of this EP, all sounding different. I focused on making sure this project didn’t sound anything like the first “SMBTNM.” I wanted to make something that people could replay in their cars when they’re out grinding & making shit happen. The most challenging part of figuring out how to make this better than my last effort. Personally, I feel like “SMBTNM” wasn’t sonically as precise as I wanted to, so I used “SMBTNM 2” to really get into the intricacies of every song & make sure everything sounded like a cohesive project.
Ayesharp - And honestly it showed. So with the release of the album, as an artist, what are your goals for 2022. Either goals for yourself and for this album you just released?
Shorter - For 2022 it’s all about Good Produce. I’m working on developing a few of my own artists and getting their projects ready for the summer. I also have a few major opportunities on the table that I can’t talk about yet. But they’re big.
Ayesharp -Nice. Do you have any that you're willing to name or any that you're currently working with?
Shorter- Mz. Infamous is the main one we’re focusing on now. I’ve been cool with her since I was in college, and we’ve been working ever since. We’re working on her album which hopefully will be coming by May.
Ayesharp - I can’t wait to hear what she brings. And my last question. Is there anything else you want people to know or any message you want to get out there before we close this out?
Shorter- Good Produce LLC is on the way. There’s a lot that I’ve been working on behind the scenes & I’m ready for the world to know what bag I’m in.
Ayesharp - Thank you very much. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
