GET FAMILIAR: Shorty Bang
Shorty Bang is a recent addition to the Street Religion roster, but it turns out he goes way back. That’s fitting for a crew that’s always been more of an extended family. And his music is a perfect fit: brash, brutal, and deeply rooted in a 90’s kinda sound, when skills and authenticity still trumped everything else.
He’s dropped a steady wave of singles and EPs, but this week marks the debut of his first full album, Bristopher Walken, and it’s a serious statement. Here, we’re talking (butcher) shop about his motivation, his vision, and of course, Street Religion.
VTHH: Does being on the wrong side of the law come naturally to you or is it something you had to work at?
Shorty Bang: As far as the other side of the law, I went to state prison at 18 and didn’t get out ‘til I was 23, so since a young age I been like fuck the police. I literally spit from my perspective and from the things I’ve seen and what I’ve done, actually in life, so there’s no cap in my rap. The horror bars are more just because I’m a horror junkie, but every bar I dropped 'bout doing sum G shit, those is factual.
VTHH: You have dropped a slew of consistent material over the past year. Were you sitting on a stockpile of bars or do you just work fast?
Shorty Bang: I stay with a consistent amount of bars on deck. I probably write every other day at least, but Leg Day was on the spot. Yung Breeze made the beats on site, and I wrote to 'em organically. Same thing with the Blood Brothers EP as well as the Daywalkin EP. But my album Bristopher Walken is different. I wrote ahead and except for like one or two songs, I formulated my rhymes to the beat.
VTHH: Was Breeze your mentor in terms of the process and the craft behind turning studio sessions into final product?
Shorty Bang: Musically, Breeze is most definitely a mentor, but beyond that, he is my brother, I respect his guidance and his knowledge of music is far superior to most people. Being able to work with him on top of being brothers is just a bonus for me. Besides Jack the Rich, Breezy makes all of my beats mixes and masters my music and records it.
VTHH: Where is Jack the Rich from?
Shorty Bang: Rhode Island, but he's part of the So.802 team.
VTHH: Do you consider Bristopher Walken to be the end result of all the studio work you've been putting in and the lessons you learned doing it?
Shorty Bang: It’s the result of how much I’ve grown over the last ten months which to me is just on a whole ‘nother platform. I literally try to write consistently because it’s like lifting weights. I try to stay in shape mentally, so Bristopher Walken is me flexing on everybody. Really, like I rap rap, I don’t bullshit around, my punchlines is hitting and my beats are bonkers, feel me?
VTHH: You're definitely one of the most focused artists on the scene right now, in terms of knowing exactly who you are and what you want. What are your goals for 2022?
Shorty Bang: My goals for 2022 is to stay diligent, stay focused, don’t get complacent because I have so much material out. I’m trying to perform once a month and stay consistent. My next song is my best song, that's how I record every joint I’ve been making. I’m my own worst critic, if I don’t like it it doesn’t see light.
VTHH: How has it been doing shows? Was it an immediate fit for you? Do you think you're still learning every time?
Shorty Bang: I’ve only just started doing shows, and performing gives me that feeling in my soul that says, this is why you do this. It’s like floating on a cloud for me, there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing. But it’s 50/50 half natural but I know there’s things I can do better every time, it’s definitely a learning experience.
VTHH: How did you wind up connecting with the Street Religion team?
Shorty Bang: I’ve known Yung Breeze since he was 13, way before Street Religion ever had existed I was a street dude. Like I always could rap, but I never made a song until I was 37 and I’m 39 now.
I went to 656 Fest out in Maine and I realized in the spot that if I was gonna have to sit in a wheelchair for the rest of my life, I might as well do what I love to do and that is rap. Without rap I woulda ended my life, these is facts, like I put my experience, pain and life story and lyrical skill into my music. You have to listen to get it but I promise it’s there if you listen.
VTHH: Did you grow up here in Vermont?
Shorty Bang: I moved to VT in 2007 after I maxed out my prison bid. Initially, it was just to make some bread, but I ended up sticking around since.
VTHH: What are you cooking up after Bristopher Walken?
Shorty Bang: I got an EP with Just Cauz coming out called Just Bang. I’m hoping me and the rest of my team can get together for an SR mixtape, just the squad. I don’t know exactly what’s in store for 2022 but I know this much: Street Religion gone be right in the front of whatever is going on musically in this area.
VTHH: How do you feel about the rest of the 802 scene? Are there other artists you respect or do you feel like Street Religion has no real competition?
Shorty Bang: I like your line of questioning. The way I feel about the 802 scene is simple. I got respect for anybody that’s chasing this dream we call hip hop, feel me? I respect hard work and ambition. Artist wise, I fuck wit Jibba and Vazy, Just Cauz, Fresh, Dolla Day is a monster, but as far as competition goes I’m extremely biased towards a lot of music.
Honestly, I really only listen to Street Religion music. I feel like, collectively, we got something nobody else got and even individually we can stand by ourselves. Well, I can’t stand, but you get the point. I’m not saying people can’t get to this point but do I feel like people are at our level? Not really, I don’t.