Shottie on Miami Hip-Hop and His Journey

In this episode of Florida Sound Archive, we’re joined by Miami rapper Shottie for a deep dive into his journey through hip-hop, from his earliest beginnings to what’s next.

Born in the Dominican Republic and later moving to New York City, Shottie shares how the passing of his father ultimately brought him to Miami, where he grew up in the Kendall area. He reflects on first discovering hip-hop through DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince and the classic track Parents Just Don't Understand, before diving deeper into the culture with artists like Redman, Wu-Tang Clan, and Naughty by Nature.

We also explore his discovery of Miami hip-hop pioneers including Trick Daddy, JT Money, 2 Live Crew, Mother Superior, Mr. Mic Rippa, and DJ Craze, and how learning about their work gave him a broader perspective on Miami hip-hop and its place within the larger culture.

Shottie walks us through starting to rap in high school under his original stage name Deadshot, performing early shows at the Cameo Theater (Miami Beach) and the Chili Pepper (Coconut Grove), and forming the group IDEE4, which made the leap to Los Angeles before ultimately returning to South Florida six months later.

We get into his creative process, including his approach to recording, collaborating with producers and rappers locally and internationally, developing album artwork, and the sonic and cinematic influences that shape his projects. Shottie also reflects on performances in Orlando, New York City, Fort Wayne, and Toronto, and what lies ahead in terms of touring and new music.