Daily Inspiration: Meet Shaadie

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaadie.

Shaadie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Rashaad “Shaadie” Nunnally (pronounced “shoddy” not “shady”) is a true renaissance man from the Crestside streets of North Vallejo. Born in 1986, he is an entertainer of many which include modeling and athletics. Growing up in Vallejo, he made a name as a small athlete with a big heart and freakishly good abilities. He set multiple “1st in school history” records and achievements at Jesse Bethel HS of Vallejo and Sheldon HS of Sacramento. After moving from Vallejo to Sacramento in 2002 and graduating in 2004, he would be the first in over 40 years to be offered and to sign a full track and field scholarship UC Berkeley. Shaadie would attend UC Berkeley on scholarship until 2007 where he withdrew from the school to focus on his music and family full time.

With numerous years of independent grind, Shaadie has learned all facets of being an independent artist, a performer and true entrepreneur. In 2008, Shaadie received his AA in Social Science from Sac City College. By 2012, after years of working for the State of California in Sacramento, a promotion sent him back to the Bay Area. In 2014, Shaadie and his brother Brandon “KB” Henry founded their community outreach and entertainment company called MAC LIFE LLC which is an acronym for Mind’s Achieving Change Living In Forgotten Environments. 2016 saw Shaadie moving his family to Utah. The next year, Shaadie was hired as a lead vocalist and MC for a nationally touring cover band based in Salt Lake City called The Lane Changers. As a member of the cover band, Shaadie met fellow singer Kirsten “Kiirt Banks” Banks. After departing from the cover band, they joined musical forces under the MAC LIFE LLC umbrella and created Bassix Studios. This business provided music label services for artists and multimedia for companies and brands of all types.

Flash forward to 2021. In September, after many guests’ appearances on “Good Things Utah” on ABC 4 as an event emcee for multiple events around Utah, Shaadie pitched and landed his own segment called “A Shot with Shaadie.” Twice a month and live on air, he showcased local talent, entrepreneurs, and Utah’s minority community businesses. After six months of “A Shot with Shaadie,” ABC 4 hired him as a fulltime an assignment editor and content producer. Since the start of 2022, Shaadie has continued to elevate himself as a musical artist and a businessperson. Via performances for the SLC City Council Inauguration, the Obama Foundation’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, Utah Arts Festival and more, he uplevels being a host and a director. Shaadie has hosted many artists in Utah for events, including Flo Rida at the Utah State Fair and, Bobby Shmurda’ s first visit and concert in Utah, and Spring Fest 22’ which was headlined by Rick Ross. He has worked as the entertainment director and booking agent for the Utah Museum of Contemporary Arts, he hosted the Utah Black Business Expo, Polynesian Business Expo, Film Screening Q and A’s and exhibit openings. Shaadie was also the guest Emcee for opening night of SLC NBA Summer League. In addition to entertainment events with the clubs, bars, and restaurants in Utah, Shaadie also does community outreach work through his non-profit organization MAC LIFE Community. Its activities and events include free back to school supply drives and events that are free for all who attend.

Besides being assignment editor at ABC 4 in Utah, Shaadie is a Bay Area music artist, songwriter, event host/MC, event coordinator/director and all around “Swiss Army Knife of Entertainment Services.” He has been featured in Voyage Utah Magazine and Canvas Rebel Magazine, Shaadie’s verified on Instagram (@teamshaadie) as well as Personal and Music Facebook Pages. His most recent feats include being a speaker/performer for TEDxTalk and having a few songs up for consideration for a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance and Best Song for Social Change.

Shaadie is passionate about advancing his own brand, creating opportunities and developing platforms for myriad entertainers and innovators. He has become synonymous with connecting people with the right resources to fulfill their needs and dreams, while simultaneously continuing the path of his own journey within the entertainment industry. Shaadie does not come from a family of wealth or one with entertainment connections. With roots in passion, hard work, and persistence, Shaadie transformed himself from an event coordinator to an entertainment directing, an MC to a host, a booking agent to a performer, and an on-screen personality to a behind the scenes organizer. He is a Renaissance Man of resources and a Swiss Army Knife of Entertainment. Search “SHAADIE” on all platforms and click on all the hyperlinks to learn about the man of many hats.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a rocky road, yet it’s still my favorite ice cream. Everything has a season and a reason, so I continue to ride with the flow of how things go and grow with the seasons. Lack of money, only have 24 hours in a day and feelings of lack of support, self-doubt and stagnancy all have their seasons of coming and going as well. All I can do is stay positive, faithful and persistent on my path of greatness. I’m gaining over complaining and staying blessed over stressed.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As the “Swiss Army Knife of Entertainment, ” I specialize in transforming events into experiences curating music, shaping narrative, and energizing audiences while amplifying brand messaging authentically. I’m the kind of on stage and experiential leader who can command both mainstream and culturally rooted crowds. Some may call me an elite Bay Area rooted, Caribbean influenced entertainer and MC known for bridging cultures, genres, and communities through powerful, purposeful entertainment. I love to blend my hip-hop charisma, reggae soul, and corporate polish showcase my versatility and ability to adapt to any scene. I embody both the superstar mystique and the approachable community leader, bringing “Entertainment with Purpose” wherever I perform or host to inspire collaboration over competition and to provide platforms that uplift, unify, and entertain diverse communities.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I like to watch documentarists like Unsung or YouTube channels/shows that dive deep into the makings of the celebrities that we know of. I like to know how they got to where they are and even how they have fallen and/or gotten back up. I get inspired and motivated to continue on my path as I find out similarities while also not comparing my path to their paths as something I should or shouldn’t be doing. I take it as information and data to collect to help guide me to where I want to be in my own way.

Pricing:

• MC: $50 per hour
• DJ: $75 per hour
• Consulting: $100 per hour
• Event Directing: TBD
• Event Coordinating: TBD

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linqapp.com/shaadie
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/teamshaadie
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/shaadiemusic
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/rashaadnunnally
• Twitter: https://x.com/teamshaadie
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shaadie707
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/shaadieb