All hail $hamrock, the reigning white rapper...

Congratulations. How has it been keeping your victory a secret?

My closest friends didn't even know. I lied to so many people. I told them that the finale was live. I told people that we filmed the final segment, but they decided to reshoot it live. I just kept making up these elaborate lies, and I never lie. My only justification in doing it was that they'd be very happy for me and understand once the results were announced.

Can you take me through your history with hip-hop?

I'm an '80s baby, so around the time I could start grasping music, I was 6 or 7. That was '88 or '89. I was raised on a lot of soul and a lot of blues, because my dad is a blues guitarist. I already kinda had the soul in me. Then, I got into Naughty By Nature, House of Pain, LL Cool J. Kris Kross came out, and they were some kids from Atlanta, they were a little bit older than me, but seeing them, I was like, "Wow, that's me right there."  I think I got my first keyboard when I was 9. There were some beats on there. And so I started just rapping to the beats that were on the keyboard that were already programmed in. When I started public school, I was probably about 12. There were a lot of kids rapping and I just picked right up, rapping at lunchtime, just banging on the tables, spitting flows. I was always the person people would come up to: "Yo, who sings this song?" "Can you rap this part? How does it go?" In middle school, I knew, like, every word to Bone Thugs. I could spit verbatim Krazy Bone's verse from "1st of tha Month" and that would just floor people, especially because I was a white kid and in school I was getting straight A's.

So you've been doing this for 10 years strong?

Well, when people ask me when I start rapping, that's when I say. But as far as, like, "This is what I'm gonna do for the rest of my life," that didn't really hit me till I was in college. I never knew what my calling was because I was strong in a lot of areas. When I went to college, people were listening to me, like, "You're so good. Why don't you do this for real?" It took some convincing, but it helped that some guys that I went to middle and high school with were getting into production, Luney Tunez and Ribah On the Beat. I hooked up with them and told them I wanted to rap. They gave me some beats, I spit for them and they were sold. From there, I started just doing 16's, not even whole songs. I entered a talent show at UGA, I didn't even perform a whole song, just spit four different 16's to four different beats, won the whole talent show and opened for the Roots and Sleepy Brown. The first talent show I ever did I won and it kinda just rolled from there.

It's unsurprising that you were such a good student: your rhymes are pretty clever and more literate than maybe what people might expect from the South.

I mean, I'm a journalism graduate from Grady College at UGA. That's one of the Top 3 journalism schools in the nation. All through high school, I won every single English award for my grade. I always knew I was going to do something with writing and it wasn't until I discovered the performer aspect in me that I thought, "OK, I can do this." Music was my love anyway. I wanted to be a music journalist. It wasn't until I stepped out of my comfort zone that I realized, hey, I have what it takes.

You mentioned being the white kid in high school that rapped. Has the issue of race been present in your hip-hop experience?

White rappers from the South have had a generally easier time achieving success than in any other region. The South has had a lot of problems with race in the past. There are still people entrenched in that awful mindset, but a lot of people in the South are trying to work and build together. The whole Southern hospitality thing came out of people really making an effort to make it a better place down here. I went to a very mixed school, and it wasn't so much about black and white, it was really about whether you had money or not. If you're rich, white or black, you're doing the same thing. If you're poor, white or black, you're doing the same thing. So it really wasn't as big an issue. I like to think that because I was born at a time post-70's, I don't really see race like that. I see people more for their personalities. And I've never had someone come up to me and say, "Yo white boy, you should stop rapping." Part of it was the fact that I could rap well. I think ultimately talent rises above the race factor, like Dasit said on the first episode of White Rapper.

Do you think the show helped you cultivate your skills as a rapper?

I was an athlete. I've always had problems, at times, with playing to the level of my competition . This can work for or against you. In this case, I was going against very talented people and that made me step my game up week after week. As the challenges intensified, I had to step up if I wanted to make it through.

You hit a snag with freestyling. How important do you think it is to be able to freestyle?

It all depends. I have a writer background, so I like to work on my cadence and my flow. When you hear me on a track, or you hear me spit a verse acapella, you can hear the melody and the beat without them even being there. That's what I strive for. As far as freestyling, you don't need it to be successful, to make money in the rap game. When everyone talks about freestyling, I always kick this line: I don't freestyle because my style's not free. To hip-hop purists, I might be everything that's wrong with hip-hop, but I don' think I'm less capable of a rap artist because I don't say whatever comes to my head.

You stayed drama-free over the course of the show. Is that you or was that strategy?

Oh no, that's just me. I can come across has having little tact at times, just because, if I'm not feeling you, I tell you right then. I don't pretend that I don't see it or let it slide. But if it doesn't concern me, I don't feel the need to comment. I knew that there was going to be a lot of drama on the show, and so I figured that I wanted people's impression of me to be was very humble, hungry, gracious and good person. And I wanted them to remember that I could rap, and I didn't want anything to detract from that. I don't want dildos on the face. I don't want kicking teddy bears. I don't want anything.

So you were pretty much cool with everybody in the house, then?

Cool as far as I have no animosity toward anybody in the world. There are people that I don't care for, but I don't even need to make that be known. They'll get it when I'm not hanging out with them. I think the only person I might have sold short was Dasit, but he struck me from the very first second as very gimmicky and more image than substance. I had never really gotten the chance to hear him rap. Now I think he's very talented when he raps, but the way that he exited the show didn't do much to dispel my initial reaction to him. Other than him, I feel like I'm on good terms with everybody else. I haven't talked to Jus Rhyme since the show, but regardless, he's a great person. Misfit: I hung out with her. She came down to ATL, we recorded, we talk all the time. Sullee, we talk all the time. I talked to Persia the other day, that's my girl. I talked to John Brown the other day, we were talking about collabing. He's an astounding producer to me. So he might even do some work for me. Even though the way he comes across on TV is kinda like a jerk, when the cameras aren't around and when he's not King of the 'Burbs, he's a very likable person. I talk to 100 Proof online. I talk to Jon Boy on the phone. It's just a really good crop of kids that I would have never met otherwise. And regardless of our personal styles and beliefs, the one thing that we have in common is the unique experience of being a white rapper and the circumstances that come with it. I can't knock anybody who's out there trying to chase their dream or do their thing. I have respect for everybody who lived in that house.

Your music that's on your MySpace is pretty varied. Is your goal to break out of the Southern sound as we know it?

With this album I'm working on, I'm striving to combine the best of what I liked growing up with the best of what I like today. My music, just like myself, my music has a very realistic, but positive vibe to it. We have this thing in Atlanta, when the Braves won first place in 1991, the previous season, they were in last place. So the Braves went from worst to first. They won for 14 seasons straight. Basically, with this project, with this show, I feel like I went from worst to first. And that's basically the concept that we're using. The album is going to have an inspirational vibe, like, if I can do it, anybody can. It's also going to have a celebratory vibe to it because, s***, I made it! I won!

Stay in tune with $hamrock via his MySpace.

Comments

[Ghetto Revival Street Team member #934857803]

A colab with JB would be nice. Damn, as much as I didn't like JB not winning, Sham sure comes off as a likeable guy and very hard to hate on.

Mr Interviwer, what are the chances of a John Brown interview?

[jim]

that was garbage johnbrown killed shamrock in every single aspect I will never watch that garbage again after that the final should not of even of been close that shitty lipped bum with fake gold grill should not of won and mc search i am dissapointed in you

[missy]

that was the worst finale...johnbrown won & we ALLLLL seen it firsthand.

[Cherrell]

$hamrock..I loved you and that your deserved to win...why better than john brown!!

[Theresa Hogan]

I am so happy my boi Shamrock won! Congrats!!! He's from ma sista's hometown and she's excited for him just as much as me!!!!

[Theresa Hogan]

I am so happy my boi Shamrock won! Congrats!!! He's from ma sista's hometown and she's excited for him just as much as me!!!!

[Cherrell]

$hamrock..I loved you and thought that you deserved to win...why better than john brown!! But I have to say I really loved Persia, she was great..I hope both of you come out with a album!

[Cherrell]

$hamrock..I loved you and thought that you deserved to win...you where way better than john brown!! But I have to say I really loved Persia, she was great..I hope both of you come out with a album!

[Clans]

John Brown SUCK! and it's good he didn't win.

Holaluya hola back >>> WTF is that lol!

Ghetto Revival >> Garbage!!!

[Dub H]

Im glad dat boi shamrock won cause man dat john brown just crap and what up with this ghetto revival bull shit i mean come your from da subs dude you bullshitin your

[T]

JB murdered Sham throughout the entire series. His flows were witty and very clever...it made you think...."wow, I can't believe he said that"

[Brandon Hudgins]

That shit sucked....everyboy knows theat John Brown suppose to won but i guess his rhymes were too serious for the fans..so they rather listen to some micky mouse rhymes that Shamrock spit.

[Andrea]

Is hip hop dead? I have been asking myself this question for a few years now. Where did the KRS One's, DAS EFX, Mobb Deep and Wutang Clans go? These were true lyricists and while they did sell the albums and introduced everyone to the "GAME" the bottom line is they had talent.

I was excited when I began watching the white rapper show. I was able to answer every artist after hearing the first line of the first verse. I pride myself on loving all that hip hop is. I am not in the least bit saying that I can write any sort of rhyme but I know what a true lyricist sounds like. It was disappointing to hear the judges who supposedly know so much about hip hop admit that while John Brown had the talent it isn't about that anymore its about selling the records. To me thats a sell-out. To say that perhaps his rhymes were too deep and went over the crowds head is a testament to how hip hop is a dying breed.

Biggie Smalls was a lyricist, 2 PAC was a genius but what do we have now? Wannabe gangsters rapping about grills, bling, hoes and money. The game is not what it used to be and the outcome of the show last night proves that.

For the record John Brown killed Sham on that stage-No Doubt!

[Blair]

THANK GOD $hamrock won. I would have shot myself if John Brown won. Even though I am a Cali girl myself, JB represents everything that is wrong with not only hip-hop but with California kids. He's cocky and he think's he's gods gift to earth. Shamrock won and rightfully so. Anyone who disagrees needs to shut the hell up. FLY AWAY HATERS!

[TeeJay]

John Brown was aiight...he was too gimmicky. All that "Ghetto Revival"..."King of the 'Burbs"..."Hallelujah Holla Back"...WTF!!! If he wants to be remembered for his catchphrases or whatever...good job! However, as a true fan of hip hop since before he was born probably, I am offended at the stance he chooses to take. Hip hop is not just a business, it's a culture! Calling himself John Brown (does he even know where that comes from?) and exploiting the culture is a slap in the face and I am grateful that he did not win. Shamrock on the other hand, is a genuinely charming and likable guy. He has clever flow and is totally relevant in today's hip hop scene. I appreciate the growth that he demonstrated over the course of the show and I feel that he will truly benefit from the win. I also appreciate that he has a background in English and Journalism. Congrats, Sham!

[Mike Brown]

John Brown and Shamrock both suck but what a great show!!!

[Bee]

$hamrock, my congrats to you...Persia, my girl I love you!! You is true as f*ck!! That sorry wanksta John Brown sucked on your dildo the whole time. Burbs my a$$, it's people like him that that use the struggles of the poor and the less fortunate to enrich they poorly cultured lives. John Brown you sure you ain't Ked Fed's cousin??

[Jeff]

This was crazy, I hate to admit it,, but John Brown was nice. He will be the only person on that show that will actually be remembered. And the reason he lost was because M.C Search hated his style. Shamrock was garbage with his wack ass grill, and his 16 bars was trash and that I'll fly away song was a piece of $hit. "Ghetto revival will make it past this survival."

[jessica]

i'm so glad shamrock won he's so talented. it's cool he graduated with journalism degree...i noticed his style with words but never realised...luv ya shamrock you hott too let me know if you ever roll through forrest city arkansas in da south and need someone to kick it with!

[kay-kay]

CONGRATULATiONS $HAMROCK!!! thats really all ii can say u deserved this more than anyone between u persia & sully yall were tha best with tha most heart & when ii seen you again john brown ii knew tha best rapper would win. which was you. you have sumthing john brown don't & thats heart, i dont know what it was but i dont like him & when ii seen you win. ii was jumpin up & down screamin. u ain't know?! ii was so happy im one of yo biggest fans. ii been watching the show since day one && ii couldn't of been happier that yo won. you deserved it boo the best rapper won!! memba dat shit boi. keep yah head up & stay gutta. alwaiiz get wut u want & dont' let nobody get in yo way!! CONGRATS!!!

yunq kay

[tay]

nah im glad shamrock won .. he was hot with dem dirty south flows ..south is hot .. thats an advantage..

[sarah]

i hate john brown. u rock $hamrock :]

[Jessica]

CONGRATULATiONS $HAMROCK!!! i couldnt believe it i jumped up and screamed when you won, you are my dwag thats whats up i want you to know that i watched this show snice it statred and i hated john brown with a passion and i want you to know taht the reason why i like you is because were are both the same you know i came up with nothing and now i' m living and i think the lord for that i want you know that i am your number one fan and i hope you mkae a cd i really would like to meet you i am moving to the atl this summer maybe i catch you around i want you know that you are fine as well remember that keep it gansta and tell them hoes fly away tahts whtas up real talk email me!!!! [email protected]

[brandy]

im glad that $hamrock won john brown was so fack and so stupid he made me sick shamrock rocks!!!!!

[Malik]

good job $hamrock you won fair and square and john brown kin of da burbz sucked any way you won the 100g$ wat chu gon do wit it use it wise