Watch out, Starkville, we have a star in our midst! Fred Shaw, a junior economics major at Mississippi State University, is on his way to the big time. Already being heard on two radio stations in Jackson, Shaw has blazed his own trail in the music industry. He attempted to make his music known under several different labels in the past and finally decided to take what he learned from those experiences and build his own label.
B.A.M. Records (By Any Means) is based in Jackson and started last June. Even though it is a fairly new label, it has been successful in getting Shaw, along with several other artists, known in Mississippi.
“When you think about it, everybody big had to start out small,” Shaw said. “I’m not only an artist, but a manager, producer and songwriter, and I’m only 20. I’d say things are going well.”
Known as “Verse.atile: The Prodigal Son” to the rap/hip-hop world, Shaw’s style of music is “more creative and intelligent.”
“A lot of people are very stereotypical of local music,” Shaw said. “I’m just trying to bring something new to the table. It’s not just a bouncy beat to talk to.”
Shaw’s style has changed over the years. He started rapping in eighth grade and began writing music for his high school basketball team to run out to. By the 10th grade, he began looking at record labels.
“My style isn’t all harsh and abrasive and rash,” Shaw said. “I used to do all of the cursing and everything but eventually decided to get away from that image. That’s one reason I call myself ‘The Prodigal Son.'”
After a few years, Shaw started his own label and produced his own music. Even now, his style is still changing.
“I might eventually release a gospel album. I don’t know,” Shaw said.
B.A.M Records’ first album, BAM: The Anthem, is a compilation CD that features several of the artists listed with the label, including Verse.atile. Its blend of rap and hip-hop “has a little something for everybody.” It mixes both East Coast and West Coast sounds to create the distinctive style that has brought Shaw to the place he is now. It will be released in stores in the next two weeks, and there will be a sale on campus where it will be sold for about one-third of the regular price.
This sale isn’t the only thing Shaw is bringing to campus to benefit the students at MSU. He is starting a student organization called the Mass Music Association, where students will be able to showcase their talents, whether they play or sing music as a hobby or are looking to be a star.
The organization will feature giveaways and concerts, along with many other activities. The Mass Music Association should be open to students by the end of the semester. For more information, e-mail Fred Shaw at [email protected] or call him at 325-6223.