OG Shanksta
O.G. Shanksta Creator of the Cleveland Slide O.G. Shanksta was born in Cleveland, Ohio with thirteen other brothers and sisters. Growing up on 55th and Scoville in the King Kennedy Housing Projects on the East Side of Cleveland, O.G. was introduced to music from being around many Rappers and Emcees who were Freestyling and Battling in the parking lots of his apartment complex. Then only 13, he was blessed with the gift to put words together quickly and he soon fell right into the rap game. O.G. Shanksta began doing shows and entering Rap Battles winning most of them. He was soon discovered by music pioneer Chuck Conway Sr. Conway heard O.G. one day while Conway was parking his car, he then called O.G. to his car where he explained that he had never heard anyone Spit Rap like O.G. Shanksta. Conway described O.G. style and delivery as the coldest in Cleveland! O.G Shanksta was taken under Conways wings and became a student learning how to structure his songs. O.G. was taught how to write songs, how to feel the music, and how to use a different style of metaphor which today sets him aside from any other Rap Artist. O.G. is not just another rapper and he can truly be put in a category by himself. Because I feel theres only one me, one O.G. Shanksta, an Original Cleveland Gangsta! O.G. Shanksta Throughout O.G.s career he has formed a fan base all over Ohio from Akron to Columbus, from Cincinnati to Dayton, and from Toledo to Youngstown everyone has been showing love and support. Performing and opening for such Platinum Artists such as Biz Markie at the Caribbean Festival in Canada and 8-Ball & MJG in Houston, Texas at Club Oasis on Fourth Ward Street. O.G. also, had the opportunity to work with Tony Drapper, owner and founder of Suave House Records. Drapper introduced O.G. to Platinum Recording Artists Tela, Mr. Mic, 8 Ball & MJG, Big Mike from the Ghetto Boys, and the whole Suave House cartel. Not only did O.G. have the chance to work with those artists but he was blessed to be in their presence learning and grinding the rap game with some true Hip-Hop Artists. After leaving Texas and returning to Cleveland, O.G. Shanksta formed the group Black Mist they recorded numerous CDs and opened for such groups as Men of Vision, Rude Boys, and Gerald LeVert. Today, O.G. is still learning about the Music Industry as a whole. Facing many trials and tribulations along the way, O.G has conquered many obstacles. He credits the strength to get through it all, from the Lord who now has blessed O.G. Shanksta to be part of Global Records where he along with Mic Beats, Griot, Rashiadah, humble g, J of B, and M.C. F.A.M.E. promotes Hip-Hope and Edu-tainment through Afri-pean music and entertainment.
Listen to O.G. Shanksta at http://www.myspace.com/ogshanksta
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
We have been together 12 years and the 3 members are:
Half Dead
Smooth Daddy Lash
O.G. Shanksta
The Original Cleveland Gangstas
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Yes, Agora, RockStar, Cleveland Coyote, Peabody's in Cleveland, Oasis in Houston, Texas and all over the US and some parts of Canada!!!
Your musical influences
Scarface, Tela, Ghetto Boys, Mr. Mike, Outkast, Black Eyed Peas, and Global Records Present...
What equipment do you use?
Vocals, keyboard, mixing consoles, and more
Anything else?
It's been a long time coming it is now time to unleash the real deal, O.G. Shanksta and Black Mist from Global Records Presents...the name of the next album is Heaven or Hell...It Is What It Is, coming soon!!!
