Artist of the week: Shug

Shug is a predominantly hip-hop and R&B artist from West Seattle. On Tuesday, July 16, he will release the single “My Life,” which will appear on a new album coming this fall.

Seattle Refined: How long have you been writing and performing?
Shug: I discovered my passion for music in middle school, growing up in Federal Way. I was initially drawn to the creative aspects of hip-hop and R&B, genres that were popular with my friends and that I could incorporate into class projects for teachers who allowed it. I’ve been writing/recording/producing since I was 16, so about nine years old. I actually started washing cars to pay for my first microphone and production software.

Tell us something about the artistic process and the different phases involved.
I would say my creative process varies. It really depends on how I’m feeling. Some days it works, some days it doesn’t, but it always ends up in my home studio. My favorite thing though is to go to my coffee shop, order an iced Americano and make some beats that I can write and record later.

Where does your inspiration come from? Which artists have influenced you?
My inspiration comes from where I am in life right now. The mixtape I released last year, “I Don’t Need You,” is a journey of overcoming heartbreak and getting my life together. Each track explores different aspects of love, loss, grief, denial, and self-assurance. My favorite track, “Deep End,” emphasizes self-empowerment, growth in times of loss, and gratitude for blessings.

Now I’m focused on my personal growth and striving to be my best self, which I showcase in my latest song “Progress” and my upcoming album “Smile”. I’m not sure what the future holds, but my music will always be a reflection of my authentic self.

What genre does your music belong to? What topics do you write about?
I usually lean more towards hip-hop and R&B, but my taste in music is broad, which definitely affects the way I create. My music is a reflection of my life experiences, influenced by different genres and sounds, while still maintaining my love for traditional rap. J. Cole inspired me to start making music. His ability to evoke deep emotions through strong lyricism motivated me to offer the same therapy to others. I’ve always listened to hip-hop and R&B, but Cole made me realize that you don’t have to conform to norms in and out of music to be successful.

Is there a song that means more to you or that is special to you?
One song of mine that really sticks out in my mind is “Dance Floor”. It’s mainly about social anxiety and how I let bad habits hold me back from what could bring me true happiness. It’s also a song that I produced entirely myself, with a creative drum and bass feel, which was outside of my comfort zone at the time.

What experiences in your life have influenced your music?
It’s hard to narrow it down because my music encapsulates so many experiences. One of them is growing up with a single mother, which gave me a need to help in any way I could. Through this, I discovered a deep connection to my emotions, which has evolved into a source of support for others. For me, music has always been an important outlet for therapeutic expression. With it, I hope to bring that same sense of connection and comfort to listeners who feel isolated or need someone to relate to. I hope that through my own healing, others can heal.

If we want to hear more of your work, where can we find it? What about upcoming shows?
My music is available on all major platforms under “Shug Hzy”. My website is a great gateway to everything. And of course social media (mainly Instagram and TikTok).

What’s next for you? Are you currently working on something that really excites you?
Next I will be releasing a few singles leading up to my album “Smile”. This is a project with my most soulful songs that I have been developing over the last three years. It has been a long process but I am excited to finally share it with the world!

The music video for “Progress” is available on my YouTube page and “Rumor Has It” was released on June 25th. Both are part of the project.

And finally: How do you drink your coffee? We ask everyone!
My favorite coffee order is a 16-oz quad shot iced Americano from Uptown Espresso. The best coffee in West Seattle!

About Artist of the Week: This city is full of artists we love to feature each week on Seattle Refined! If you know of a local artist you’d like to see featured, let us know at [email protected]. And if you’re wondering what makes art, that’s the beauty of it; it’s up to you! See all of our previous Artist of the Week in our special section.