Sheesh: Up Next

SHEESH

Having worked with some of the biggest artists - the late, great Michael Jackson, Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Gwen Stefani, to name some - in the world, five-time GRAMMY-nominated Senegalese-American singer-songwriter, Akon [“Locked Up” "Lonely"], who has famously introduced the masses to mega stars like Lady Gaga, T-Pain, Wizkid and Davido, adds yet another name, Sheesh, to his already extremely impressive résumé through his newly rebranded imprint, Konvict Kulture. 

Please introduce (for me) the members of Sheesh…

Yo, it’s LNS and it’s Big Ski, and we are SHEESH!

Let’s hop into this single / video, “Ghetto Livin” — Tell me about this particular track; how did it come to fruition? 

LNS: We were working in the studio, and I was wondering why we haven’t sampled AKON yet and we're signed to him. So I sampled him, made the beat, and we made the song that night and knew it was fire.

As songwriter(s) when you all sit down to pen your lyrics, where do you all draw inspiration(s) from? 

LNS: From real life struggles, past emotions, future dreams. 

BIG SKI: From my trials and tribulations, or it might just be a feeling the beat is giving me.

What particular string of events actually led to your initial linking up with Akon, and ultimately inking with his Konvict Kulture label? 

LNS: I was making a name for myself in ATL and word got to him, then we meet in the studio in Miami and just clicked. We're alike in a lot of ways. Months later he signed me, and then when my brother got free from prison I brought him into the fold…then AKON signed him, too.

AKON and SHEESH

Tell me your whole inception into music — When did you all first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Sheesh?   

LNS: I started rapping when I was 8. I fell in love with Hip Hop, and my younger brother, BIG SKI, followed suit.

Now you all hail from Elkhart, Indiana, correct? So growing up in the ‘RV Capital of the World,’ who all did / do you all consider to be your strongest musical influences? 

BIG SKI: Kanye West, DMX, 50 Cent, J. Cole, Nelly.

LNS: 2 Pac, Jay-Z, Jadakiss, OutKast, Dipset, Kanye West.

That said, how do you all describe and / or define the style of music that you all create and / or perform?

BIG SKI: Relatable, and down to earth.

LNS: Definitely relatable, and genuine music. Music that moves people,  music that people can feel. Also, creative and original. 

Where does the group’s moniker originally derive from?

LNS: From Akon and people hearing our music and reacting to it saying, “SHEESH!” Akon said that should be our group name, and here we are.

Switching gears here, what exactly do you all want people to get from your music?

LNS: Inspiration, motivation, a sense of, “damn, they been through all that and made it out,” well I can, too.

BIG SKI: I want the listener to feel a breath of fresh air when they hear Sheesh because it’s something new and different. 

If you all could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?        

LNS: 2Pac for me. His passion, his intensity, his lyrics moved me…and I feel like I also have those qualities as well, so I know our track would be crazy.

BIG SKI: Nipsey Hussle; he’s gotten me through a lot of different situations in my life; heavy on RIP Nip! 

If you all could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?        

LNS: House of Blues. So many legendary artists performed there, so many legendary moments

BIG SKI: Rolling Loud super lit! 

On a more serious note, are you all happy with the current state of music?

LNS: There is more freedom on the business side for artists, and that’s dope. Artistically it could be better, but we're here to raise the bar.

BIG SKI: Yes, I am happy. I’m blessed to be here.

SHEESH & AKON | SHADE 45 INTERVIEW

What do you all feel has and will continue to be the key to your success?   

LNS: Faith in God, Family, hard work, dedication.   

BIG SKI: Never getting too comfortable or complacent; gotta keep ya foot on the gas. 

Do you all have any other outside / additional (future) aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

LNS: Yes, I’m currently working on a movie script. I've always had a passion for film and screenwriting. Definitely digging deeper into acting as well.

BIG SKI: Currently working on my Twitch channel for all Sheesh content. Also, music, gaming and reactions as well, be on the lookout. 

To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?     

LNS: I would have to say shooting our video to “GHETTO LIVIN” in our city, Elkhart, with our big bro / mentor, Akon. That was legendary not only for us, but our city.

BIG SKI: Same. 

What’s an average day like for you all?

LNS: Take kids to school, Gym, studio, handling other business and, of course, family time.

BIG SKI: Taking care of my newborn, and grinding. 

Please discuss how you all interact with and respond to fans... 

BIG SKI: I always engage with the fans, take some time and have a conversation; I love the fans. 

LNS: I always show love because without them an artist can’t succeed.

What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why? 

BIG SKI: Taking what’s in my head and creating something that they end up loving or connecting with is the best. 

LNS: Favorite part is creating the music. The challenge to be a better artist, to push the needle, to make my next song better than my last, to make music that resonates with people. All of that is unmatched.

What advice would you all have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

BIG SKI: It’s not as easy as it looks, takes sacrifice and hard work, but anything is achievable with hard work and faith. 

LNS: Always do what you can. Never stress about the things you can't do or don't have. Don’t give up, keep pushing. We only get one life, do what you love with it.

Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you all see yourselves?     

BIG SKI: Happy, few businesses, music career going great…yeah, just living. 

LNS: Happy with our careers, happy with life because at the end of the day we know we gave it our all.

As for the immediate, what's next for Sheesh? 

BIG SKI: More music and content. 

LNS: More music, our debut album will be dropping soon enough.

Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?   

BIG SKI: Follow me…follow us on our group page, @sheesh_konvict. 

LNS: Our latest project, Air Mattress, is available everywhere, go stream that!

Lastly, any “parting” words for our readers?

BIG SKI: God bless, y'all, and thanks for having us. 

LNS: Thank you to all the fans and supporters. The love never goes unnoticed or underappreciated.

Get The App