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Andres Torres was only 7 years old and living in New York when his father died. His family moved to Miami and he’s been here ever since. A lifelong lover of words, he turned to writing to release the powerful emotions he was feeling.
He’s never stopped, only today his creative outlet is rap music. Very popular rap music, to be exact.
“I’ve always been interested in writing because the words become stories and you can tell an entire story in a rap song,” he said. “And through my rap I connect with other people who feel the same emotions I do. There’s something raw and unapologetic about it that I like.”
Now known by his stage name “Shottie,” Torres released his ninth studio album, titled Pulp Nonfiction, on Apr. 4 and available on Bandcamp at https://shottie305.bandcamp.com/.
After a short rap career in the early 2000s with a locally popular rap group called IDee4, Shottie left music and opened a business, directed a few productions and published a coloring book.
“During those years I was writing the whole time until finally, in 2021, the music drew me back. The stuff I’m doing right now is my second rap career. My style is true East Coast hip hop, lyrical and grimy, yet with a positive spin.”
Shottie, 45, said that a lot of what is known as underground rap isn’t motivational and can put people down. He said his songs offer messages of positivity and hope. They’re more mature, with messages like having a spouse and kids and a good job is okay.
Pulp Nonfiction was produced by a collective of music producers called Lupara. Rather than being in one city, the company’s partners are based in cities around the globe.
“It was a new experience for because now I was getting feedback from multiple people rather than just one producer, which is what I’m used to,” he said. “I do the writing and they throw musical tracks at me and the wide range of feedback from all over the world is incredible.”
The album title’s play on words is hard to miss.
“People who know me are aware that I love film and especially those made by Quentin Tarantino. When making Pulp Nonfiction, I leaned into my writing with references to Tarantino throughout. This album has been a real labor of love.”
On Apr. 4, Pulp Nonfiction was highly praised by a sold-out crowd at the album’s premiere at Miami’s Mix Masters Studios. The album is available online and will be added to streaming platforms in the near future. Shottie’s music is developing global appeal as well.
His last album, titled Alligator Alley, was distributed through a European vinyl label called Copenhagen Crates and it sold out in just one day.
He remembers the first time he performed for a live audience.
“I was using a microphone with a cord and I would step on the cord and drop the mic in the middle of my performance. I did that twice. I went through trial by fire very early and learned to always use wireless mics,” he said with a smile.
Although his musical career keeps him extremely busy, Shottie always makes time for his five children and, of course, writing.
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