Today we’d like to introduce you to Shak Bradley.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up, I’ve always knew there was something peculiar about myself. In elementary school, I was at an Honors Level in my academics and gifted with the talent of art. I was involved with poetry events in elementary school and math contests, along with dance club. I became inspired by Maya Angelou at a very young age after my music teacher read us a bit of her poem, “Still I Rise” and that made me see the world in a positive way despite what I had going on. My upbringing wasn’t the best, with having to deal with a toxic childhood, in and outside of the house, having to endure bullying and grow up too fast, I didn’t get to enjoy my childhood. My family was close to poverty. There were times where we couldn’t afford the utility and water bills and would have to use candles to heat up food, bathe with water from gallon jugs or even sleep in a van. We would have to jump from relative homes when times got too hard and sleep on the floor or an air mattress. Me and my siblings were in Summer programs offered by the Recreation Center, just to have food and friends to play with, we called it the “sack lunch program”. Over time, my love for music grew to the point where it did something to my soul and it inspired me to make music of my own.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey was far from a smooth one. With having to survive the best way I could in my environment, I had to deal with finding myself, which made things a bit worse. Since I was old enough to remember, I questioned my sexuality, I would find the same gender attractive and would think something was wrong with me. I struggled with my identity for years, and after an incident with my mother my sophomore year of high school, my secret was out and I felt resentment. I was also bullied throughout all of my years of school (from kindergarten to high school graduation) people would often call me homophobic/racial slurs and spread rumors about me that weren’t true. My freshman year of high school, I met someone I thought to be the love of my life (the same gender) but we were both in hiding so nobody knew. We would have a fun time alone, but in public, he would treat me like a stranger, which made me feel awful. Love is very sacred to me, and to be required to love behind closed doors did a number to my mental health. As time progressed, I found myself helping him out financially and even being scammed by him, but I was too naive to realize it. After graduation, I was working two jobs to get my finances secured for college, and at the same time I was dishing out money to him, draining me $3,700. I realized that it wasn’t love but instead a parasitic relationship. My relationship with my mother still isn’t the best, as I’m still dealing with harsh words from her, despite trying my best to please her, she expects more from me which is tiring. But I was given the nickname “Mr. Smiley” because I conceal all my troubles with a smile and positive energy.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I do a little bit of everything involving the arts. I have been in plays, my most favorite part by far is Dr. Nordquist from “Bright Star”. I also draw and paint, I have been told that I have blessed hands. I would draw pictures for my classmates, I even drew a picture for my R.A. who then got it tattooed on his chest, which brought tears to my eyes since it was my most complex piece. I specialize in rap and poetry, it is my outlet to all the troubles that I face. I am involved with ViaJesus Modeling Troupe, which is a student organization that trains and develops runway and print models, and I do both.
I am most proud of my music, I use an app called BandLab to engineer all of my music. I’ve only been to a studio one time in my entire life due to financial issues and my environment. I have made all but one song that was recorded in the studio. I strived to improve my craft and maximize the effects of the limited resources that were available to use to make the quality of my music sound like something that could be played on the radio, which is why I’m so proud of it.
What sets me apart from others would have to be my energy. Nobody would ever know what I go through because I carry myself in a positive way. I like to spread love and nothing else but that because I feel like nobody should be feeling the way I feel down on the inside. Smiling is the best way to cheer yourself and others up, and I love to cheer people up, I never want to be the reason someone is sad or mad, all I ever want to do is make people happy.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
BandLab has been my favorite app for as long as I can remember. I use it to engineer, mix and master all of my music that I have released on all platforms.
Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop are my go-to for creating my cover art for my songs and EPs, I thank my high school graphic design class for teaching me how to use the software.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Instagram.com/onlylilshak
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCyXqJh9Jl4HZa0vZfNPInYQ
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/yvng-shak/1609151943
