Local Hip Hop artist Shah-Kim Allah, has been performing his specific style of Hip Hop in Chattanooga since 2004 and has just released his second album.  He will be celebrating the new album and his birthday in his upcoming show at JJ’s Bohemia on July 20.   

Sha is a fixture in Chattanooga.  He has traveled quite a bit, spending time networking and performing with other artists in New York and Miami, but is back home now.  I spent a few minutes talking with him about the new album and the upcoming show.

Fil:  Tell me about the new album, what inspired it?

Sha:  The new album, Lanimilbus Drol, came from me wanting to do something different than the original album, so I went a little bit more into my Islamic roots with it.  Since the first album I became extended family of the Wu-Tang Clan, which opened a few doors for me, to be able to connect with more artists, and get more support. 

Fil:  Your first album came out in 2005 when you were 30 years old.  How do you feel that you’re writing has changed in relation to your age and maturity?

Sha:  I guess I’m just hungrier than I was then, and I’m a lot more focused.  I’m working to get my company, sickle and grenade productions off the ground.  It’s something I’ve been working on for a while, but now I’m working with a few different producers to pull things together and expand what I can make happen.

Fil:  How has the Hip-Hop scene changed in Chattanooga since you began?

Sha:  To be honest, there was never really that much of a scene.  There were a few artists making some ripples, but what I see now is not too many people come out to support Hip-Hop, and I would like to see more.  There’s the stereotype that people still believe in that Hip-Hop is all about drugs and guns, but that’s not always what it’s about.  It can be about uplifting the community, it can be nerdcore or any other positive thing that inspires the artist making the music.

Fil:  Tell me about your upcoming show at JJ’s.

Sha:  I have Milele Roots on the bill, because it’s my birthday, and I enjoy having a cross genre bill.  In this show I have electronica, I have reggae, and I have Hip-Hop.  I’m hoping to draw a wide group of people, to enjoy themselves and have a good time.  I also have Sista’ Otis, Atari Steed and Rebel Palestine.  We just want to provide something for everyone, so they can come and enjoy themselves.  To me it’s about the love.  

Sha-Kims 37th Birthday and Album Release party will be at JJ’s Bohemia on July 20 at 10 p.m.