Today we’d like to introduce you to Hardbody Shard.
Hardbody, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Well, I’d say it began around age 14. I used to write most nights into the wee hours of the morning. Growing up, it was only me and my mother, and at that particular age is where she was real heavy on curfew. And that’s when I started to exercise that time to write. As I got older, around 16, she’d often ask, “So what are you gonna do with all that stuff you’ve been writing all this time?” and I’d always tell her I’m gonna put it to use one day. Time went by and I graduated from high school and went straight into the Army. By the time I had got out and come back home, Doe B (God rest his soul) had the biggest buzz in Alabama, and I remember seeing him in person for the first time at the Palace in Birmingham. Of course, that was after I had seen him on TV, but to actually see him in person kind of flicked the flame for me. It made me think to myself like, Aye, you can do that too. From that moment forward, I started focusing on music for the first time.
I began doing research and asking as many questions as possible to those that I knew were into music already. I started out recording remixes of whatever was the biggest song at that time and let a few people hear them. I basically got positive feedback from the first one and continued. By the time I had done the 6th one, a close friend told me, “You’ve done enough of those, it’s time to make your own songs.” So I set out to do exactly that. My first completed song as a hip hop artist was called “Came Up On A Lick,” which eventually lead up to my first EP, The Q.O.Q Theory. (Quality Over Quantity) Since then, I’ve had four singles on four stations from Birmingham to Atlanta to Nashville and released one mixtape and 2 EPs. I’ve been an opening act for several artists here in Birmingham and have also performed at A3C weekend. I’ve traveled to Miami and Atlanta on frequent occasions, both in pursuit of music business and the maintenance of relationships. I’m currently working on new music as my own releases and looking to get into songwriting soon.
Has it been a smooth road?
So far, it has been a pretty smooth road, but there were some struggles. I think my biggest struggle, in the beginning, was getting the DJs and other radio personalities to take me serious. But now, I feel like I have shown that I’m very serious bout my craft.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Well, I am a hip hop artist with a very distinct sound and unique voice. I specialize in delivering to my core fans. I’m known for substance, relatability, wordplay, and subject matter. Being able to stay on topic from the beginning to the end of any song written by me. I believe my elevation and consistency is what set me apart from others. The goal has always and will always be, “Record a better song than you did the last time.”
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
On an overall level, yes, but it depends on who you know out there in Atlanta. If you know the right people and have all the right relationships, you’re process could move a lot faster opposed to someone who knows no one out there. Atlanta is a different type of place at this time and the culture is so rich. I wouldn’t advise anyone who’s just starting out to move there. I honestly believe its the speed off how the culture moves in Atlanta, I mean it is the Mecca and has been for the past decade and some.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.solsvvrempire.com
- Phone: 2059079907
- Email: hardbodyshard@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/hardbodyshard/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/hardbodyshard/
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/hardbodyshard/
- Other: Rishard Bryant
Image Credit:
AL SO HD Films
Live Lenz Photography
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