What’s your stage name and where are you from?
My stage name is Big Sherm, and I’m from Lansing, Michigan.
What’s the story behind your stage name?
I was given this name by my manager at Buffalo Wild Wings. After searching for so long for my rap name, I realized this was the one. I dropped my first project under the name and have been going ever since!
Describe your musical journey in three sentences.
I come from a background of Hip Hop, Electronic, and Punk. Before I was a teenager, I was recording rhymes, creating new sounds, and blending anything I had available. Since 2006, I have been writing, producing, and DJing, working diligently at my craft and reaching new fans!
Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.
I am constantly creating new music. One of my latest tracks came together when my friend sent me a one-minute-long beat demo he created. As I was driving and listening to it, I immediately had a repeating hook in my mind. Within an hour, I was home extending his demo and writing the lyrics. By the end of the night, I had a powerful song featuring shoutouts to many of my closest crew of musicians, recognizing their struggles and successes through their own medium.
What message do you want to convey through your music?
That music is real, powerful, and can change our lives for the better. There are fancy stars, and there are people in the street connecting with humanity in a real way. You don’t need all the accolades if you are putting in the time, work, and heart into your craft. It takes a different timeline for everyone, but if you keep at it, you will learn something about yourself. Your life matters.
Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.
There is constant turbulence throughout the journey. It is so important to keep calm and not let haters get to you. If something goes wrong, we just keep moving. We look for what is about to go right with it. If something doesn’t work out, it wasn’t meant to be. Something better will come from it if you’re looking for it.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
I just want to work with the artists who influenced me—the OGs, the originators, the creators of the foundation. If I can inspire someone who inspired me, it’s like we’ve created free energy.
Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?
I have been leaning into my DJing and had more shows last year than I thought I could handle. Next year will bring bigger gigs, more traveling, and new music with a new view on life. Through the process of doing all these shows behind the decks, I have learned so much more that can apply to every aspect of my musical career. I have reached higher levels of rhyming through playing instrumentals. I can’t wait to see what next year unfolds.
What’s the next big step for you as an artist?
My next rap projects are going to be a game-changer for me. Blending these different mediums together will make everything pop. All I hope is to keep putting that good energy out to the listeners, fans, and friends.
Where can we hear/watch your most recent work?
Bigsherm.net has pages for RAPS, DJING, and URFQKZ (electronic). The pages’ YouTube playlists will have the most recent tracks.
What is the best way to contact you if fans want to give feedback or if other artists/producers want to collaborate?
Email: bigggsherm@gmail.com
Instagram DM: @bigggsherm
