Q). How things with you? 

It’s good to be on the 6th Floor.  I’m doing great.  Happy tobe here, promoting the new single.  Thanks for having me.  

 

Q). Where did the whole Shyste Chroknyte journey all begin?

The Shyste journey started in junior high when I first gotinto Hip Hop.  A good friend put me on and I was a big fanimmediately.  I always liked the cocky, bragging, aspect of it.  By the time I hit sophomore year in high school, beinginfluenced by the underground Hop Hop scene, I startedwriting and recording and polishing my craft. The rest, as theysay, is history.   

 

Q). Your new single produced by Ab The Audicrat ‘A Wrinkle In Time‘ is available now. How has the response been so far? 

The response for “A Wrinkle in Time”, so far, has beenamazing.  It’s an introspective song about self reflection andhow quick time can pass and how easy it can be to waste it.  I think that’s resonating with people, especially right now, whenthings, externally, are so chaotic.  Now would be a great time for each of us to go within, to find some clarity.  I think peopleare picking up on that when they listen to the lyrics.  

 

Q). Whats it like being in the studio with you? 

Being in the studio with me is a completely co-creativeendeavor.  I’m not trying to just jump on the track and do mytypical “talk shit” rap.  If the track calls for it then yeah.  But I’m trying to meet the producer and the production halfwayand build on top of what’s there already as opposed toovershadowing the beat with a bunch of crazy wordplay.   The beat has a vibe.  I meet that vibe and build with it.  That vibeis gonna dictate the concept, the lyrics, the tone of my voice, delivery; all of it.  It’s a team effort.  So I’m also very open toother ideas and even constructive criticism.  That’s how I approach the process.  

 

Q). How would you describe your sound?

I don’t know if I have a particular sound.  I know my voicestands out on its own.  It’s very recognizable.  I tend togravitate towards “darker” production.  I guess “Boom Bap” would be the typical category a listener would put me in.  But at the end of the day, you never know what you’re gonna get.  It all depends on the production.  

 

Q). Is there anybody who you would love to do a track with? 

I would have loved to rock a joint with Sean P. RIP.  I rocked a few shows with him but never got the opportunity tocollaborate.  But, 2, off of the top, I’d say Redman or Black Thought.  In my opinion, 2 of the best.   

 

Q). Who is your biggest influence? 

My influences come from all over, but as far as the musicspectrum, Rakim was the one who really got my attentionearly on.  But there were others like Kool G Rap and, as I hadsaid, Redman.  My story telling ability came from Slick Rick for sure.  

 

Q). Why did you choose to get into the music industry? 

I guess one of my draw backs is that I’ve never really beenattracted to the “Industry” part of it.  I’ve seen how it worksup close and I’m aware of the “sacrifices” one has to make, including their soul.  So I got into Hip Hop music because I was kinda lost and needed something to fill an emptiness I had.  And it’s been nothing less than fulfilling.  But I keep onefoot in the industry and one foot out.  

 

Q). Whats the Hip Hop scene in Albany/New York like?

The Hip Hop scene in Albany, NY ( We call it, “The FiveOne Eight” ), is in a similar spot as many other areas in thecountry. Currently building itself back up from the pandemic shut down. But it’s steadily on its way up. We have all kinds of different Hip-Hop artists. Some are more underground. Some are on that baller shit. Some are more eclectic as well. It’s a melting pot.  

 

Q). What would you say is your biggest achievement in music so far? 

I would say my biggest achievement, personally, is just making my type of music, not selling out or changing my style to fit trends, and still getting love and respect for what I do and how I do it, across the board. Because how I do it is by, most importantly, just being me and being good at what I do. That’s more important to me than any pop culture accoladesor anything like that. Fans gravitate to my shit because they can relate. Not because I put up some fake facade.  

 

Q). What can we expect from you in 2022?

With 2022 on its way out, I’m working on 3 different projects. 2 are collaborative efforts. And then a solo jointcalled, “Dopamine”. They are all pretty much recorded, so we’re in the process of mastering, artwork, etc. I’m not sure if any will actually be out by the end of the year, but if not, that just means fans are gonna get banged in the head with music immediately in 2023.  

 

Q). Do you have any social media for new fans to follow you?

As far as social media, Shyste Chronkyte on FB, IG and YouTube. And I have music up on ITunes, Apple Music, Spotify and most of the typical streaming platforms.