Urban Pulse Magazine

South Carolina’s own Hello Shello has been steadily carving out a name in hip hop, driven by love for the craft and a vision bigger than himself. From his early beginnings experimenting with music in high school to learning the ropes of digital distribution and dropping his debut project 600 Degreez in 2016, Shello has evolved into a storyteller, collaborator, and leader for his city. With influences ranging from Lil Wayne and OutKast to Jay-Z and Pharrell, his sound reflects both sharp lyricism and a passion for authenticity. In this interview, Shello opens up about his journey, challenges, inspirations, and what’s next on his path to greatness.

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When did you first realize rap was more than just a hobby for you, and what was the moment that made you say, “This is it”?

I’ll always believe I do music out of love first. That’s why it’s so easy for me to make good music. I see how much money there is about something I’m very passionate about, so I want in. As long as I’ve been doing music—dating back to high school in the early 2000s—I always wanted to know what it was like to put an album together. By 2015–16, I figured out digital distribution services that allowed me to sell music on iTunes and streaming. From there, I worked on 600 Degreez and dropped it in September 2016.

When you’re writing, do you start with the beat, the lyrics, or a feeling you want to capture?

In most cases, my best work comes from me writing while I’m busy. The words just seem to fall from the sky when I have stuff to do. It’s like I can hear beats in my head and write without even listening out loud. When I do write to beats, my approach is “love at first hear.” If the beat’s fire, I can write the song right there—it’s effortless.

Which artists or life experiences have shaped your style the most, and how can listeners hear that influence in your music?

First thing’s first, Lil Wayne is my favorite rapper. Another thing I like to do when writing is ask myself, “What would Weezy do?” Not that I’m taking his whole flow, but I might run with a rhyme pattern or decide whether I’d use autotune. Beyond Wayne, I’m big on southern lyricists—Luda, OutKast, T.I., Jay-Z of course, Dip Set, Gucci Mane. Pharrell is my favorite producer of all time. Altogether, I’ve got a nice mixture of influences.

If someone had never heard your music before, which one track should they start with, and why?

Bishop Tropicana. It’s a great introduction to my sound. I have a great ear for beat selection, and that song reflects it. Catchy hook, witty verses, and it shows my songwriting ability well as a rapper.

What’s the hardest obstacle you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

The hardest obstacle has been trusting someone outside with my marketing and process. In this industry, it’s so easy to get scammed. I’ve been robbed of plenty of money, but I’ve learned to do my homework on anyone I plan on working with. Stay communicating, interview these people. Right now, I feel like my team and I are on the right track with promotion. I’ve also been working with my friend Dom Hollins, who’s been helping me get with the proper publications so my music can reach further.

You’ve probably lived through moments your fans don’t know about—what’s one personal story behind a song that changed how you see life or music?

My whole album Hello Savage is actually a story. I was in a dark period during that process—betrayal, family issues, financial struggles, and taking care of my sick grandmother. That album was my outlet. It was therapy. I’m very proud of that project.

How do you feel about the current state of hip hop, and where do you see yourself fitting into it?

I like where hip hop is headed. The lyrics seem to be coming back, and I love it! The music lately feels fun again—there’s life in it. It’s not just shooting and dying anymore. If we get more hip hop & R&B collaborations again, that would be fire.

What’s the most misunderstood thing about you as an artist or person, and how does your music set the record straight?

I really care about the game. I really care about hip hop culture in my city, and I feel like the artists here don’t get enough shine. I’m trying to do my part connecting with others so we can put the best product together and represent the city right. Lately, I’ve been dropping heat with dope artists, which is different for me because I usually don’t do too many features.

When people talk about you years from now, what do you want them to say about your impact on the culture?

That I put on for real. I represented my city well. I put out some of the dopest, timeless music. I helped other artists. I want the name Hello Shello to be legendary.

What’s coming up next that fans should be excited about—whether it’s music, performances, or collaborations?

The Camoprint mixtape hosted by DJ Money Mook is dropping this Fall. I just locked in a show on October 30th in Columbia, SC—more details soon. I’ve got a new single dropping September 4th, visuals on the way, and the Biscuit House: Pull Up to the House 2 compilation is coming this Winter. HELLO HELLO HELLO!