Last week Atlanta-born artist Chase Shakur graced SOBs with a live performance during the New York stop of his inaugural It’s Still Love Tour. Few artists can boast selling out shows during their first tour with no cosigns, but Chase has already demonstrated that he’s not like most artists in the best way possible. After releasing his It’s Not You It’s Me EP he followed up with the deluxe and is now on the road taking his talents across the country. Its Not You Its Me has already accumulated over 10 million streams with bonus track “sink or swim” sitting at 4 million streams on Spotify alone.
We caught up with Chase during his soundcheck to discuss his first tour ever, his musical beginnings and his latest project. Openers included the talented Destin Laurell, who warmed up the crowd before Chase hit the stage. Chase gave an unforgettable performance and played hits like “Cascade Road” “YSL” “No Savin” “X’s and No’s” and many others. Not only did Chase serenade his fans, he handed out red roses as well as fans screamed “We love you, Chase!” The crowd went crazy and it’s safe to say Chase shut SOBS down.
The Knockturnal: How old you were when you started experimenting with music?
Chase Shakur: I was 15 when I started. It started off with I guess this crush I had in seventh grade or middle school. She had this this summer program she was going to and they was teaching the kids how to do music so I applied to the drawing program because I loved to draw and I seen how much fun they were having doing music and I gave it a shot and started rapping.
The Knockturnal: At that time were you writing or freestyling?
Chase Shakur: I was writing back then. I was really trying to get my bars off. I was doing cyphers, I was on the corners rapping.
The Knockturnal: Your music has influences of r&b, rap, soul, funk and much more can you share what type of music you were brought up on?
Chase Shakur: It Was a balance of everything. My mom was into a lot of different genres of music so , she would play classical music like Beethoven or just r&b or reggae. I grew up in a house with a lot of people, so the women would play mostly r&b, but then the males would play dudes from the neighborhood.
The Knockturnal: Was there anybody in your life that was motivating you to take music seriously when you were first starting out?
Chase Shakur: I started doing music with two friends and we’d wake up at 6:00 AM and just walk to one of our boys’ house who had a home studio and we’d do that every morning for the whole summer when I was 16.
The Knockturnal: What motivated you to pursue music as opposed to another career?
Chase Shakur: It was my last year of college at Georgia State and I had a clear path. I knew, alright, if I drop school, I can completely focus on this and when I did my manager posted a video that went pretty viral on TikTok and everything else just kind of happened.
The Knockturnal: In your own words what have been the biggest highlights of your career so far?
Chase Shakur: Selling out my first tour with no cosigns. I think the biggest thing for me is that we’re doing all this off the strength of music and then signing with Def Jam.
The Knockturnal: How did it feel when you signed with Def Jam?
Chase Shakur: It just showed me that I wasn’t crazy.
The Knockturnal: What are your favorite songs off of it’s not you, it’s me?
Chase Shakur: “X’s and O’s” and “Slide,” but there was a song that was supposed to be on there, but I couldn’t clear the sample. It was called God. That’s my favorite.
The Knockturnal: Is this your first time performing in New York?
Chase Shakur: No, I’ve performed here four times. My first show ever was in New York with DJ Miss Milan.
The Knockturnal: What are you looking forward to most on your first tour?
Chase Shakur: I’m just ready to perform in front of my mom and my family in front of a bigger crowd.
The Knockturnal: What are you currently working on?
Chase Shakur: Probably after the tour we working on the first album. I’ve just been studying, really studying music, reading, listening.
The Knockturnal: Any collaborations on the way?
Chase Shakur: Got a song with Ryan Tracy. I got a song with Afrobeats artist Nonso Amadi.