Sha Stimuli
Sha Stimuli (born Sherod Khaalis on August 9, 1978) is an American rapper from Brooklyn, New York City. He is known for his mixtape releases, beginning with Let Me Show You the Way in 2002, which earned him a spot in Source Magazine's "Unsigned Hype" section.[1] Sha Stimuli is the cousin of Dre Knight and is the younger brother of producer and rapper Lord Digga, through whom he was introduced to Brooklyn rappers such as Notorious B.I.G. and Masta Ace.[2]
Sha Stimuli | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Sherod Khaalis |
| Also known as | The Present, S.T.I., Stimuli |
| Origin | Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | East Coast hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | 10 Minutes Late Records |
Background edit
As a kid, Sha Stimuli often followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Lord Digga, learning about the music business. As a producer on the Notorious B.I.G.'s album Ready to Die, Digga often took his little brother to recording sessions at the studio, which later influenced him to become a rapper. At only 14 years old, Stimuli, as Kid Dynamite, appeared on Masta Ace's album SlaughtaHouse.[1] Before continuing with music, Stimuli focused on his other love, basketball, playing at Brooklyn Technical High School, [1] and heading to Iowa to play NCAA Division 1. In 1997, he studied at Delaware State University while interning at Roc-A-Fella Records, bringing him closer to his passion of music.[2]
Musical career edit
In college, Stimuli gained recognition by being active in freestyle ciphers. Beginning his mixtape career in 2002, Stimuli released his first tape, Let Me Show You the Way, gaining him recognition in various print and online publications. Some years later, Stimuli was signed to Virgin Records and was set to release his debut album, Thee Emotion Picture, in the third quarter of 2007. Recording at Baseline Studios, Stimuli had producers Just Blaze and Nottz working on production for the album, but the process soon came to a halt due to problems that arose at Virgin Records. In early 2008, legal issues between Virgin Records and Def Jam left Sha Stimuli without a management team or label.[2]
In early 2008, together with childhood friend DJ Victorious, Stimuli took on an endeavour to release one mixtape per month for the next 12 months. Each mixtape had a theme and concept, ranging from politics (March On Washington) to relationships (Love Jones, The Breakup), and gained him a significant amount of attention. In October 2008 Sha was also featured on the track "Destined to Shine" from Statik Selektah's album Stick 2 the Script.[3]
Debut album edit
Sha Stimuli released his debut album, My Soul to Keep, on October 27, 2009, with Chambermusik Records / El Distribution. The first single, "Move Back," features rappers Freeway and Young Chris and was produced by Just Blaze. The album was released to critical success.[4][5][6]
2012 edit
On January 23, 2012, Sha Stimuli released The Calling, the first EP from his 2012 "The Rent Tape" series of twelve EPs. This series is similar to his 2008 series, in which he released 12 mixtapes in 12 months.
2016 edit
On September 27, 2016, Sha Stimuli returned from a four-year hiatus from the music industry to release a new song titled "Sticks and Stones". Stimuli also announced his signing to 10 Minutes Late Records who will release his new album, "Lazarus", in 2017.[7]
On December 11, 2016, Sha Stimuli continued his return to music and released a new song titled "New Jordans/A Poem for Mike" produced by Just Blaze and Needlz respectively. This song was met with positive reception.[8]
Discography edit
Studio albums edit
- 2009: My Soul To Keep
- 2011: Unsung Vol. 1: The Garden of Eden
- 2017: Lazarus
Mixtapes edit
- 2003: Switch Sides
- 2007: The Present & the Future
- 2007: The Best of Me
- 2007: The Rehab
- 2008: The Wire
- 2008: Love Jones
- 2008: March on Washington
- 2008: The Secret
- 2008: While You Were Sleeping
- 2008: Hotter Than July (A Tribute to Stevie Wonder)
- 2008: Verses the World
- 2008: March On Washington (Election Edition)
- 2008: The Funeral
- 2008: Never or Now EP
- 2008: Please Download My Demo
- 2008: The Break-Up
- 2010: Overtime: My Soul to Keep
- 2011: The Break-Up Pt. 2: The Proposal
Guest appearances edit
| Title | Year | Other performer(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "125 Part 3 (Connections)"[9] | 2007 | Joell Ortiz, Ras Kass, Grafh, Gab Gacha | The Brick: Bodega Chronicles |
| "Cops & Go"[10] | Skyzoo, Maino | Hip-Hop Docktrine 2 (The Saga Continues) | |
| "The N Word Song"[10] | — | ||
| "Save the Day"[11] | 2008 | Torae, Kel Spencer | Daily Conversation |
| "Destined to Shine"[12] | Statik Selektah, Torae, Jon Hope | Stick 2 the Script | |
| "Where I Come From" (Remix)[13] | 2009 | Killah Priest, Willy Northpole, Stat Quo, DoItAll, Big Lou, Hussein Fatal, Mr. Probz | I Killed the Devil Last Night |
| "Different Day, Same Shit"[14] | Statik Selektah, JFK, Skyzoo | The Pre-Game EP | |
| "Punish the Beat"[15] | 2010 | Charlie Clips, Fred the Godson | Legendary |
| "Up There with You"[16] | John Regan, Naledge, Wayna | Sorry I'm Late | |
| "The World"[17] | 2011 | The White Shadow, Awkword, Viro the Virus | Savage |
| "County of Kings"[18] | PH, Pumpkinhead, Skyzoo, Ruste Juxx, LR Blitzkrieg | Know The Ledge | |
| ".45 Caliber Freedom"[19] | Stess The Emcee, Joe Scudda | Original Gangster The EP | |
| "Unfukwitable"[20] | 2012 | Red Eye, Ruste Juxx, Reks, Reef the Lost Cauze, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Nutso, M-Dot, Midaz the Beast | St. Fatrick's Day |
| "God's Plan" (Remix)[21] | I-20 | Endless Pursuit | |
| "Architecture"[22] | 2013 | Natti, Substantial | Still Motion |
| "The World is Yours"[23] | 2014 | Awkword, Viro the Virus, Dominant1 | World View |
| "Voodoo Priest"[24] | t.h.e. MisFit Crazy8 | Re-State Of Emergency | |
| "Triangle Offense"[25] | Skyzoo, Torae | Barrel Brothers | |
| "Delirium"[26] | Willie the Kid, Bronze Nazareth, Sean Price | The Living Daylights | |
| "F*ck You"[27] | 2016 | Mike Beatz, Adonis, Lucian | Boom Bap |
| "Alive"[28] | 2017 | Stess The Emcee, C-Red, Mela Machinko | Stess the Emcee Must Live |
EPs edit
- 2012: The Calling
- 2012: The Chills
- 2012: The March
- 2012: The TrueMan Show
- 2012: The Emcee
- 2012: The Old Me: How I Met Your Baby Mother
- 2012: The New Me: Sherod Khaalis
- 2012: The Savior
- 2012: The 9.2.5
- 2012: The Upper Room
- 2012: The Motion Soundtrack
- 2012: The Present
References edit
- ^ a b "Sha Stimuli". SoundClick. August 27, 2009. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ a b c Archived from the original on April 18, 2010.
- ^ . Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
- ^ "Sha Stimuli - My Soul to Keep". October 30, 2009.
- ^ . Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved April 6, 2010.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=61150[permanent dead link]
- ^ . Archived from the original on November 17, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
- ^ "Sha Stimuli Releases 1 of the Most Intelligent Songs of the Year. Hip-Hop at Its Finest (Audio)". December 12, 2016.
- ^ "The Brick: Bodega Chronicles – Joell Ortiz". Discogs. April 24, 2007. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ a b "Hip-Hop Docktrine Two – The Official Boondocks Mixtape – Dub Floyd, Wally Sparks". Discogs. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "Daily Conversation – Torae". Discogs. January 25, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "Stick 2 The Script – Statik Selektah". Discogs. October 17, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "I Killed The Devil Last Night – Killah Priest". Discogs. March 7, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "The Pre-Game EP – Statik Selektah". Discogs. December 15, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "Legendary – Charlie Clips". DatPiff. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "Sorry, I'm Late – John Regan". Discogs. November 16, 2010. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "Savage – The White Shadow". Discogs. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "Know The Ledge – PH". Discogs. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "Original Gangster The EP – Stess The Emcee". DatPiff. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "St. Fatricks Day – Red Eye of The Closers". DatPiff. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "Endless Pursuit – I-20". DatPiff. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "Still Motion – Natti". Discogs. September 24, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "World View – Awkword". Discogs. November 14, 2014. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "Re-State of Emergency – t.h.e. Misfit Crazy8". Google Play. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "Barrel Brothers – Skyzoo & Torae". Discogs. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "The Living Daylights – Willie The Kid + Bronze Nazareth". Discogs. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "Boom Bap (Deluxe Edition) – Mike Beatz & Adonis". Apple Music. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ "Stess The Emcee Must Live – Stess The Emcee". Bandcamp. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
External links edit
- HHLO.net Interview "Sha Stimuli: The Present"
- "Sha Stimuli and DJ Victorious: Monthly Mosiacs" – HipHopDX
- "REVIEW: Sha Stimuli, My Soul to Keep" – XXL
- "Sha Stimuli" – Britishhiphop.co.uk
- "Sha Stimuli – Microphone Fiend" – Six Shot
- "Sha Stimuli Presents: "Say Something" Mixtape Series" – HipHopDX
- "Sha Stimuli Appears on BET's The Backroom" – BET