Impalamoney

When you think of West Coast rap you envision urban areas of Los Angeles, California with gang-infested neighborhoods where individuals draped in bandanas riding in 1964 Chevy models dwell. But beyond that stereotype lies a slept on underrated untapped market of talent known to many as “The Bay Area”. Home to several underground legends like the Honorable Mac Dre, E-40, and Too $hort, Believe it or not the northern region of California has a huge unnoticed impact on the hip-hop industry.
In the midst of that movement Shane McCloud/Impalamoney has been steadily trying to break into the mainstream. Born in Livermore, California and raised on the hopeless streets of Pittsburg, California Shane was brought up on good morals and taught to always have hope. Often seeing success in life by watching his Mother achieve triumphantly, Shane realized success could be easily attained. At the age of four years old Shane began taking into account his vocal talents and singing songs he heard on the radio. “People said I had a good voice and would always go crazy over my talent. At first I didn’t understand that being so young, but the vibe I would get was that it was a good thing so that’s when I decided to pursue singing”.
Over the years Shane would sing tunes he heard on the radio and imitate his favorite singers “I really liked Brandy and SWV” Shane says “They’re style of singing was really vocal and the songs they were coming out with sounded like West Coast music”. It was also during that time Shane realized his ability to rap “ It was like I would sing something and people would be clapping and expecting something else. They’d be like “are you going to add a rap to that?” and after hearing that I just gave them what they all wanted”.
At the age of 6 Shane began free styling and coming up with rhymes for his spontaneous musical compositions, Impressed with what he had he decided to pursue a rap career. During his childhood he faced the obstacle of being teased and discriminated against because of his talent “kids would always try to hate on me and make me feel like I didn’t have a gift or that my gift wasn’t special. They wouldn’t talk to me outside of class but any time the assignments were musically based they came running to me expecting me to help them out”
Overcoming the humility of isolation Shane was able to build a colorful personality regardless of the social difficulties he encountered. While attending school he began penning lyrics and writing songs at the age of nine, involving himself in several community assembled talent showcases. “My lyrical style came from Eminem. In 1998 I was very impressed by his lyrics and couldn’t believe a talent so great existed. I said, “If I can rhyme like he does then I can be respected even more as a rapper”.
After advancing to middle school Shane was approached by an independent record company who had been just starting to establish themselves in the hip-hop industry. “I never signed any contracts but I was around rappers and people trying to pursue they’re dreams of making music and coming out with albums” although the process was extremely slow coming and never followed through Shane appreciated the experience. In 2003 Shane had the opportunity to attend a performing arts high school in the city of Oakland. It was at this time that he auditioned for the school and was accepted and added to the student roster.
While experiencing life at an arts school Shane had his first taste of the industry. Having several industry classes and signing up for various studio-recording classes Shane brainstormed the idea of his first album. Deciding that he would choose to sing and rap on his records he announced to the community that he would record using two different names and declared he would be marketed as two different artists. Using his real name Shane McCloud to define the R&B side of his musical personality and “Impalamoney” as his hip-hop stage name Shane set out to record his double disc debut album.
While still in process of creating and completing the album Shane experienced many difficulties as a struggling artist trying to make it into the mainstream. As he puts it his ultimate goal is “Mainstream or no stream” when it comes to deciding the companies he sees fit to distribute his project. With a release date of the year 2007 that he claims was given to him by god Shane is determined to get signed to a record label and will not let his destiny fall by the wayside.
His musical message is to motivate and inspire people of urban life that if you “work at it and put your heart into it the possibilities of success are endless and very rewarding”.
Impalamoney Merchandise: (More Items Coming Soon!!!)
IMPALAMONEY VIDEO'S: