top of page
Search

?UESTIONS: Shaé Universe

Beautiful harmonies reminiscent of the 90s, Shaé Universe delivers fresh R&B with an uplifting vibe. Promoting empowerment and female solidarity, she is a force to be celebrated.

Photo by Destinie Paige


What is your creative process?

My creative process seems to be taking longer to solidify than I thought lol. I feel like I’m still discovering it, but I’ve noticed I tend to write best when I’m alone at home. I then bring it to life in a studio session where I bounce refinement ideas off the producer.

Who inspires you?

God, my parents and siblings, my close friends, different sounds/music styles, fashion and life/being alive in general.

Has there been an experience that has shaped your journey in music so far?

I don’t think there’s been one sole event that’s done that but rather various different ones. From the covers I used to do on twitter at the inception of my music career to collaborating with/opening for music moguls a couple years later. All my experiences continue to shape my music journey the artist I am.

Who do you hope to inspire? I hope to inspire every person I encounter and every person that encounters my music/art. I ultimately aim to make a positive global difference to the mental wellbeing, faith and confidence of people in both themselves and their capabilities. Especially people like me as our life experiences are parallel.



Instagram: @shaeuniverse

Facebook: shaeuniverse


?UESTIONS: Pugs Atomz

Hip Hop, Art and Community - Pugs Atomz has a creative catalogue that spans wide and embodies pure culture.


An MC, Designer, Muralist, Radio Host the list goes on. With the roots of hip hop running deep, Pugs Atomz shares art that challenges and inspires.

What inspires you to create? 

Music, Art, Politics, good conversations, for me inspiration is all around. But my foundation would be Chicago Hip Hop in the 90's, the graffiti and performers on the trains. My Parents and the different neighborhoods I have lived in.


A need to express my ideas/experiences in sound, and color. Changing the expectations of what is expected and what it looks like.


The legacy of Jacob Lawrence, August Wilson, AfriCobra, African Art. My friends and associates that keep pushing the ball forward.

Can you tell us about Englewood Arts Collective?

The Englewood Arts Collective is a group of talented Artist/ Entrepreneurs/Creatives that all share a history in, and vision for Englewood and have been individually on the ground in the community for some time. A lot of us have been friends for decades. Something that I discovered time ago, I would collaborate with artists and find out later we lived a block apart as kids but never knew each other but shared the same memories of  the neighborhood.


The E.A.C. comes together to do public Art, activations, teaching, community outreach, and to inspire the next generation of creatives. Changing the narrative of Englewood is the goal; we have some amazing things on the horizon.

Image by Pugs Atomz


Are there any philosophies that you draw inspiration from?

Don't leave any money on the table lol, but most importantly "To transcend the ‘I’ or ‘me’ for the ‘us’ or ‘we’" - AFRICOBRA

What is next for you? Any projects you would like to share?

I recently released "The Moon" an album about relationships with Australian Producer Inkswel on Sonar Kollektiv records that feature Georgia Ann Muldrow, Blu and all the homies. Available On cassette and silver vinyl.


My animated short "Lost" will be  screened in a few festivals this year and next. Tons of public Art with my bro Dammon Reed and the #muralsrus crew. I also just released an Indigo stuffed bear, the first in a series.


Next up The Englewood Arts collective is doing an activation at our mural site (59th and Halsted) Englewood Halsted Gateway on October 31st from 1pm-4pm. Tap in at www.ourenglewoodmural.com. 


Check out my Art brand www.usuwe93.com. 

I do bi-weekly drops of prints, t-shirts, bags, shoes and other clothing/accessories.

Peace.



?UESTIONS: Children of Zeus

Children of Zeus - a classic duo with a golden sound.


Tyler Daley and Konny Kon make up the soulful project. Both from Manchester, the two create a blend of neo-soul, jazz, and classic hip hop.



Who are your musical heroes?

Wouldn’t even know where to start! The list is endless but if you can get a time machine and listen to Manchester pirate radio when we were growing up that would make up a lot of it.


How has your environment influenced your sound?

We live in Manchester. When we were coming up we were ignored so we have the underdog mentality. We also have a lot of rain here so we spend time indoors creating.


What impact do aim to make on the world?

Hopefully our music makes someone out there happy!


bottom of page