Where the Underground Comes Alive

Featured Story

UNCAGED: A BEAST OF CREATIVITY

Rashaad Irving, better known in the underground as Shaad The Beast, carries Texas heat in his blood. Born in Corpus Christi, and now 38, his story starts way back in church pews and school choir risers. He remembers his grandmother’s voice filling the mornings before school, her hymns echoing in church, and even the sound of his own tuba. Music is woven into his DNA.

A fond memory proves it: as a child, he danced in the backseat of a quiet car. His grandmother asked how he could move without music, and he simply replied, ‘The music is in my head, Granny.’

Shaad still carries that line with him, and his grandparents remain at the core of his artistry—his grandmother gave him melody, his grandfather gave him work ethic — and in this moment talking about his grandparents, the light cut through the window just right, and for a moment, it felt like they were in the room. Minutes later, Shaad confirmed he still feels their presence, even as he takes a step back from the scene to properly grieve his grandfather who passed in 2024.

Initially known as Shaad, The Beast was an add-on gifted to him by a close friend named Ethan back in 2006 after hearing one of his tracks. The Beast often expresses himself in bursts of verse, letting words slip into rhythm mid-sentence. But behind the name lies weight: a bipolar diagnosis, complex family ties, and a mind that transforms sadness, anger, and rage into raw, deliberate art. Even so, his name carries light—Rashaad meaning “advice giver,” and Shaad translating to happy, joyous in Arabic. “I make the beat work for me,” he says, a mantra that mirrors how he navigates life.

His latest drop, Sir Grrr⁹, was born out of an Underground Voices segment that took on a life of its own and became a full song. When I asked why the “grrr” is to the ninth power, he didn’t hesitate: “It’s the cosmic growl—coming from the throat, heart, and solar plexus chakras.”

Right now, Shaad is shaping his most ambitious project yet: Cosmic Creature Vol. 1 – What’s in the Cage? Ten tracks deep, with two more volumes promised for the future, the project blends funky highs with emotional lows. Expect skits, poetry, fan favorites like Animal Instinct, and even a Native American wood flute on the intro—a moment so heavy it brought both of us close to tears. Still, he won’t promise a release date. Shaad knows the music will arrive when it’s supposed to.

FOLLOW SHAAD THE BEAST →

The Underground Harvest

COMMUNITY PLAYLIST

The Underground Harvest is where we dig up the freshest drops from our community. Each month, we spotlight 3 new releases and highlight tracks from our curated playlist — giving you the sounds shaping the movement.

Artist Spotlight

SHINE A LITTLE SHAHLIGHT ON THE WORLD

Each month, Underground Voices shines a light on underground talent making their mark. In this edition, we caught up with Shahlight for a quick Q&A.

Q: What’s the meaning behind your name, Shahlight?
A: Shah came from one of my nicknames, and light was inspired by my candle tattoo with the lyrics, "all I needed was a light in the darkest places." The added meaning of She Has All Her Light came to me during meditation.

Q: How would you describe your music?
A: High vibrational. It’s an invitation to join me on a journey of self-love, empowerment, and resilience.

Q: What inspired your latest single, Playing Games?
A: The beat from 100 Stakks sparked a freestyle. It’s about being in a relationship where growth isn’t mutual—where they’re literally more interested in gaming than growth.

Q: What’s influencing your music right now?
A: Life experiences and relationships. Songs like Figure it Out was about learning to come into my own as an artist and navigating the songwriting process.

Q: How do you want people to feel when they hear your work?
A: Like there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

Q: What’s next for fans to look forward to?
A: An EP I hope to release by year’s end—but I’m taking the time to get it right.

Q: What might surprise people about you?
A: I went from performing covers to performing my own original songs within a year of joining Underground Voices. Showing up every week and seeing everyday people perform and release their songs inspired me to pursue my dreams of being a singer I had long forgotten. This community helped me evolve.

FOLLOW SHAHLIGHT →

Merch Corner

Featured Products

Gear for the ones tuned in, not just passing through. Limited runs with every purchase cycling back into the scene.

Giving Back

Donation Opportunities

Keep the underground alive. Every dollar fuels the movement — more shows, more voices, more space for the culture.

Team Meeting

THE FACES BEHIND THE UNDERGROUND

NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND

Until next time,