Today we’d like to introduce you to Shon Plant.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Shon. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My Name is Shon Plant, and my story goes as follows. I am a 22 Year old, Trinidadian/Peruvian/American Entrepreneur and Hip-Hop Artist born in Houston, TX and I am a semester away from graduating Texas State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Management (With Entrepreneurial Focus) for credibility to continue to grow my Brand and bring my dreams closer and closer to reality. All of my life since the age of seven I have been infatuated with Hip-Hop Culture, from the music, fashion, figures, and lifestyle. I began recording and writing my own music at the age of 14 through buying my own equipment and creating the best possible home studio available to me with the pocket change I had saved up over the years.
Being only 14, I created my own studio and assembled a group of creatives to make music with as well as pursue all other creative endeavors along with music such as; Music Videos, Promotional Videos, Merchandise, Etc. An obstacle I had faced while being so young and having to pursue all of my endeavors in-house, was the caution I had to take for my older brother. My older brother, Clay D., Who is now 24 years old, was born with Brain Damage and has been suffering from Seizures his whole life triggered by; Loud noise, Sudden Noise, or Sudden touch. He was also born paralyzed from the Legs down resulting in necessary attention from me and my family at all times, as he needs us. While being only 14 creating music in my own home with a brother who is susceptible to Seizures from noises that come along with attempting to craft Music in your own home, I had to learn quickly to be mindful of others, especially with the consequence being my brother having a seizure due to my own carelessness. My older brother has played a massive role in all of my families lives in all aspects including: Growth, Kindness, Patience, and Perseverance. My brother Clay has influenced me in ways I would have never been influenced had it not been for him and his presence in my life. Pursuing music from the age 14-22 was not a straight shot as I had many endeavors throughout these eight years. One being the start of my own clothing company, Plantwater Clothing, Which I began my Junior year of high school at the age of 17. Through this time as a Hip Hop artist by the time I had started my Clothing Company I had begun to shift focus solely into my clothing endeavors, and shelved my music dreams with over four Full Length Projects released through sites such as HotNewHipHop & SoundCloud by the age of 17 under the names, Halcyon $oul. I then was in pursuit of expanding Plantwater Clothing to be a large named scale brand and have my clothing in stores.
As the years went on while pursuing my Bachelor’s in Business from Lonestar Community College & Texas State University, I began to gravitate back towards my Roots of crafting Hip-Hop Music as an artist, and shelf my dreams of expanding my Clothing Company first, as I knew the time would come later for such endeavors. At the age of 20 I began to fully dedicate myself back into crafting music and put the talent I have to use, which all started with the reintroduction of writing music. I would take trips from Spring down I-45 to Downtown Houston, and park my car somewhere in the heart of downtown, grab my skateboard, and skate around the city and view the night life for my own inspiration and creative fuel. I would end these nights by stopping by Frank’s Pizza in the heart of downtown, grabbing a slice to go, and finding a vacant bench to enjoy my slice and write music. Leading a lonelier life at the time this became a great activity and purpose for me, as I was able to experience the city I have always loved in its purest form, and use my artistic ability through song writing, around this city that has influenced me so greatly. By the Age of 21 I had been working on the same seven Songs for 11 Months, scraped up as much money as I could to purchase studio time, and was ready to fully pursue and start my professional music career. Paying for Distribution through Independent Distributors to get my music to major platforms, as well as utilizing social media to continue to spread my music to Hip-Hop Fans and Youth alike. Age 21 held a lot of opportunity for me, as I had started modeling for stores and photographers around Houston, Austin, and San Marcos (such as Monkies Vintage, etc.). So, when it was time to release my music, there was already a name to a face which helped tremendously with brand recognition, and growing my following of supporters. I released my project “GORTEX-EP” on all streaming platforms, and received loads and loads of positive feedback, showing myself that I was on the right track, and to not give up on my dreams that are very attainable through hard work. After the Success of my Ep, “GORTEX” I released a deluxe version titled “GORTEX (DELUXE)” As well as GORTEX Merchandise with items such as, Stickers, Clothing, and physical Vinyl Records through the help of my self-founded record label Saint Junior Records, which is ran by Myself, Shon Plant, and a few other creatives alike.
Today I am currently continuing my journey in music by working on a New album to release and invest in financially on the promotion aspect, to continue and further my entry into the Music Industry to then break myself into these industries I am going to make myself a part of. My main goal’s I am aiming to reach through music is to be able to support myself and my Label as well as other creatives coming up with similar stories to mine, financially and to be able to spread positive influence through my music, and through my words in press releases, memoirs, etc., and help other kids with dreams and hardships such as mine, to show that no matter what your goals are, it is reachable through relentless, hard-work and discipline; and for later in life when Money is no longer an issue for me, I will start a charity and fund to help the mistreatment of Special Need’s Children and to ensure to provide a loving and caring environment for them to help them pursue: learning, manageable employment, and a life of happiness. Through Hip-Hop, Influence, and Love I plan to make the world a better place in every way I can.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Struggles and Obstacles I faced along the way were all apart of where I am today. Through struggles of taking care of my Special Needs brother and grandparents, financially funding all of my own endeavors as a student pursuing a degree simultaneously, and self-discovery have all been massive challenges along the way. As well as being a creative in such a Conservative household and upbringing being in the northern outer suburbs of Houston, It was tough being myself around so much judgement as any sense of femininity was shot down and ridiculed, regardless of that being a part of who I am, and every man is at his core. This type of treatment towards my self-expression in things such as; Dying my hair, Excessive Jewelry, and overall self-expression, had me develop very tough skin for judgement that I am eternally grateful for, had I not been bullied and shot down so often when being myself, I wouldn’t of developed such a strong sense of self I have today, as I am unapologetic-ally myself and don’t let negativity influence me the way I once did. However, I know for a fact if it were not for all of these hardships in my life, I wouldn’t be able to unapologetic-ally be myself and pursue my dreams to the fullest with hard work as I do every day so I can fulfill my purpose and make the impact on the world I need to.
Please tell us about your work.
Shon Plant is a Hip-Hop/Rap Artist from Houston, TX pushing self-expression, entrepreneurship, and the empowerment of youth. Shon Plant specializes in Hip-Hop/Rap music with influences ranging from that of Houston Hip Hop Pioneer’s and New York Hip Hop Pioneers ranging from, Rap-A-Lot Records to groups such as Wu-Tang Clan and Roc-A-Fella Records. The most proud achievement I keep tucked as Shon Plant, is my originality and positive influence and Truth I want to bring to the youth without making it corny and preachy, Teaching through acting, and leading by example, to show that anyone with dreams and ambitions such as mine can do it to regardless of Hardships and obstacles. What sets me apart from others is the Message and truth I keep in my music, while much of the music today made by Artists of my age and culture have drifted away from trying to influence, and starting to follow trends. I hold strong Pride in my music and our direction as a group at Saint Junior Records. (STJR RCD.) to spread empowerment to the youth to show that through any circumstance, anything is possible, you just have to work with what you got to the best of your ability, and not only that, but doing it in style and not sacrificing the aura for the message as many often do.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My strong sense of Self, and ability to inspire others through my words and actions. I have been very influenceable all of my life, and I am now using my power for good being an influencer of the youth and young adults alike. I am aware of the power that figures in Pop culture and music have on the youth and the impact they can make; I am making sure to give hope and empowerment to our youth while being Shon 100% of the time. The most important part of my success are my intentions, self-security, and Brand Image of being an aspired figure among my peer’s and youth alike. Not only being a positive influence, but a genuine influence, with credibility and drive.
Pricing:
- Gortex EP being available on all streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple music which costs only $9.99 a month for a subscription.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://open.spotify.com/album/1TdrvuBCVezu1aOGN0rOSO
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Instagram.com/shonplant
- Twitter: Twitter.com/shonplant
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/album/gortex-ep/1502493257
Image Credit:
SickoReno
Tate Peterson
Madison Lloyd
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