It’s refreshing when new talent comes along like 29-year-old aspiring rapper Blood Shott, especially since he is someone who has yet to be blinded by fame or fortune and has not lost sight of what really matters, his passion for music. So far, the Inglewood, CA native has remained under the radar by keeping much of his music and his biography virtually underwraps; that is, until now. In this revealing interview, Blood Shott gives us some insight about what makes him different from other rappers, why violence in his music isn’t so bad, and his plans for the future.
One West: How did you come up with your name Blood Shott?
Blood Shott:I actually got the name when I was younger. I started smoking [marijuana] after not making it from playing basketball. Every time I would come in the house, my mom would say, “Your eyes are bloodshot. What have you done?” As a young kid my eyes were always red. I would get away with it by saying, “Oh, it’s allergies.” So, I just used the name Blood Shott because
of her.
Why did you choose to spell the word “shot” differently?
Because I understood there were going to be a lot of people with the name or close to it, so I felt like being different. I used two T’s instead of one T, because I felt like that was going to make me different from everyone else.
Why do you choose to rap about violence in your songs?
A lot of it has to do with me growing up and the way I was raised. I’m a Gemini, so I got a good side and I got a bad side. And with rap, that’s how I express my feelings in my music. Just being from the West was rough. It wasn’t easy being raised out here.
Do you think your violent lyrics will have an influence on your listeners?
No. The way it is now, everyone is using violent words. There are a lot of words which can be bleeped and censored. There is a lot of music I have to still put together to put out. So when you said you googled me and a lot of stuff isn’t up, that’s because I’m in the process of putting the right stuff out right now.
Other than violence, what else do you rap about?
I was in a car accident in 2004, flipped over four times and came out of the sunroof. So, I rap about a lot of things that has happened in my life. Also, whatever I see, that’s what I try to rap about.
Who are some of your influences in the entertainment industry?
Tupac was someone I looked up to.
Why Tupac?
He was a West Coast artist and a Gemini. He expressed a lot of the stuff that I express in my music, like anger. He expressed a lot of that.
What made you want to start rapping?
I was a music promoter before I got into it and I was around a lot of rappers. That influenced me to want to pursue it after the car accident. I couldn’t play basketball anymore, so I had to look to the streets.
Where do you see yourself in the future with your rap career?
Satisfied and happy. Right now I’m dealing with No Limit West Records/Eastwood.
What is SELFMADE?
It’s a label that me and my buddy Eastwood came up with. He was signed to Death Row Records and he’s signed with No Limit West Records right now.
Is this the same No Limit that’s a part of the rapper Master P?
Yes, it’s No Limit West Records. Master P has relocated [to California]. He has homes out here.
Do you have any current mixtapes available?
That’s what I’m in the process of creating right now. I’m working on my website and getting that music out. It should be out by the end of the month. It’s called Block Work 2.
What should your listeners expect to hear from your mixtape?
Real West Coast music. Not too hardcore. A lot of No Limit stuff and big features.
Aside from the spelling of your name, what else sets you apart from West Coast rappers?
I’m talented with playing basketball and I have a different style than everyone else.
What kind of style is that?
Like a Southern, Down South, West Coast type.
Lastly, since you’re a part of the “self made” movement, what kind of advice would you give to aspiring entertainers?
Keep trying and live up to your dreams.