Today we’d like to introduce you to Shad Will.
Hi Shad, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Music has always been apart of my life. I got into rapping while I lived Virginia. It was always a hobby of mine. I started taking it serious roughly around 2015/2016 (after college)!when a friend of mine I opened what is now one of Jacksonvilles premier recording studios. Smirklordz Studios in the heart of downtown Jax. I have no musical background outside of just having a love the craft. My early songs were literally me trying to figure out how to put actual songs together. With the help and push of people like Zeus the Pilot and Mecca Tha Marvelous I started finding my own identity in the recoding booth. “It’s Practise” became something like a slogan/lifestyle. Basically a combination of a study done by Malcom Gladwell known as the 10,000 hour rule. Anything that one does for that amount of time should be exceptional at it. So essentially “Practice” makes you prepared. Anything that you work at you’d eventually get better at. I started falling in love with the process. Realizing that not only was I working toward my 10k hours in writing but also, recording and performing. From there I started collaborating with a few close friends in what you might call a “Support group” for rappers. I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by such exceptional creators that navigate in the same space so it naturally pushed me forward to be my best version. Performing at local events over the years like “The lyricist Live” “Smkn word”, “Trippy Tuesdays” and many other events. I started to build a network as I watched the Hip Hop scene here grow in Jax. My main goal is to not only push the culture forward in Jax but also the world. I want to let them know that Hip Hop isn’t dead….its alive and well, right here in Duval county. Many people don’t know about the rich creative culture we have here . I think between me and so many other creatives here in town that were going put the city back on the map. I’m big on family and friendship. I look as some of my closest peers as loved ones. We have a responsibility to continue to push forward and don’t quit.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It absolutely has not been a smooth road. Between the pandemic in 2020 and just finding balance it’s been a test of will. I work full time and try to find as much time as I can to create. Sometimes I find myself overthinking but this year 2026 I said Id stop being so overly critical and put out the music. So that’s just what I did
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve worked for Tmobile for about 10 years (please no bill questions lol) before that it was Footlocker for almost 5. So I’ve always been dedicated and reliable. I’ve met some amazing people along the way. Without some of those connections Shad Will might not even be a thing. I’ve always been told I can do anything I put my mind too and I truly believe that. I know I have outstanding character and I’m a hard worker.
What matters most to you?
Loyalty and good principles. It’s all about what you stand for.
Pricing:
- $5-$10 for a tape I have out right now on Even – a music platform
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shadwill_?igsh=MTRqM2Q2d3phZGdnNw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://music.youtube.com/channel/UC_-7ufZTX1Cw_lvBbn3ulYQ?si=8iZnqr3zInu40iab
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/azGNIb1TN4mnmi9uGV
