Growing up, S.H.A.D.O.W. Never had it easy. Born Gerald Veon Washington, February 20, 1981, his father was not a factor in his life, and his mother struggled to make ends meet. In 1983, at the tender age of two, Gerald lost his mother, forcing him, his older brother and older sister to live with their grandmother and practically raise themselves on the streets of Kansas City, Missouri's inner city. After his brother was locked up for murder, his sister chose to travel the more righteous path, and his grandmother passed away, Gerald turned to rap as a means of subduing the pain of loneliness and anger he felt towards the world.
Starting out, Rapping and Freestyling were just ways to waste time or have fun. Gerald never really thought that it could take him anywhere. That all changed, however when Gerald first heard Rakim's 18th Letter LP in 1998. This cd changed his whole outlook on Hip-Hop music and prompted him to go back and study the lyrical genius of his Hip-Hop predecessors. Having seen the Hip-Hop light, Gerald began to practice his written and open-mic skills, and one day, in a freestyle, the next Hip-Hop superstar was born. His name:S.H.A.D.O.W.
S.H.A.D.O.W. is unanimously one of Kansas City, Missouris premiere underground emcees. The name, is an acronym that stands for SUPERIOR, HIGHLY-ADVANCED, DEVIOUS, OUTRIGHT-WICKED, all of which accurately describe his versatility as an artist.
Inspired by Rakim, Jay-Z, and Eminem, S.H.A.D.O.W. decided the mic was his calling, and began honing his lyrical and freestyle battle skills. His mission is two-fold: to establish the Midwest as a lyrical threat and contender with other national rap scenes, and to bring a new element to Hip-Hop.
Performing in K.C.s Hip-Hop hot spots and battling many of K.C.s baddest emcees, S.H.A.D.O.W. has already created a buzz within the city, leaving many anxiously awaiting both his mix tape and album debut. The mix tape, currently circulating the streets, Before & After, features many of the hottest underground rappers and singers in K.C. , Before & After hit the streets hard. S.H.A.D.O.W. is currently working on releasing a solo album currently untitled.
S.H.A.D.O.W. vows to use his lyrical gift to give hope to others who, like him, are no stranger to despair. And blessed with an aura of mystique, genius lyrics, and an uncanny freestyle ability, beyond a S.H.A.D.O.W. of a doubt, this young emcee is set to take the Hip-Hop world by storm.
