Six Sev is a rapper from California looking to use his voice in a different arena: politics. Hip-hop has never shied away from politics, Kendrick Lamar spent time in Obama's Oval Office and Lil Pump even took the stage with Donald Trump. What Sev's looking to do is combine those worlds even further by running for the city council of Leimert Park.
From growing a full-fledged festival out of a small wooden stage in the middle of Leimert Park to designing with Nipsey Hussle in the studio, Six Sev is anywhere Crenshaw is. With co-signs from Dom Kennedy, he is on track to be next up in the industry. He remains humble through it all and keeps the same goal and that is to Make Crenshaw Great Again.
Having established trust in his community, Sev is known as the underground voice of Crenshaw. He has his hand in the mainstream industry and has used that leverage to speak for those in his community that have been silenced through more than just music. The multitalented artist has emerged as a leader beyond the sound with his current campaign to be part of the neighborhood council in Leimert Park in the California locale. Having coined the name “Mayor of Leimert” some time ago, he still holds it proudly on his shoulders.
Sev found a voice in music detailing the overlooked stories of his area on projects like ‘Sev Shaw’. He has also found a voice through designing and community organizing that has helped him join the conversation with the likes of Nipsey Hussle and Dom Kennedy. Having a unique perspective that spans the experiences of all those around him has put him in the unique position of entering politics to further grow his pulpit. He also has been able to create raving fans and timeless music with his impact on Crenshaw and Leimert Park.
With plans to drop new music this summer, we got to sit and talk about Sev’s journey and what really matters in his creative world.
Who is Six Sev?
I am a Crenshaw native, designer, rapper, entrepreneur, community organizer, and I consider myself a leader. I was first recognized by collaborating with Nipsey Hussle creatively and from there I put out my debut project titled “Sev Shaw”. Since then I have curated concerts like Pray 4 The Hood, I have created brands like ENAS and a campaign named Make Crenshaw Great Again which highlights community culture. I have been awarded by city council for my contributions and I am a key lead organizer in Leimert Park and have helped revitalize it. I am also working to drop an album this summer titled “Give Thanks”.
You were featured in the Jay-Z and Pharrel Song “Entrepreneur”. How did that go about and did it bring more awareness to you and your work?
Yes, of course, it did bring more awareness. I have continued to work with I am other since the video, I just did a collaboration with them.
I didn't get to meet Jay -Z at the video shoot, but I did get to meet him beforehand on a separate occasion so it's cool that I just keep popping up on him.
My homie countmatic directed it as well. He has brought me on sets like Old Town Road and a sprite commercial as creative help in the past and he chose me to be in this particular video.
You have worked with Nipsey Hussle in the past. What did he mean to you and the community that you serve?
He was our modern-day Malcolm X and 2pac. He was our leader and had everyone on one accord with the same kind of mind state to hustle and get out here and be the best you can be. All of his songs are like affirmations for us, we listen to his music and it motivates us to get up and get through our day. He was always a role model to me, someone I wanted to be like, especially with his work in the community. He shook everyone's hands, made sure kids felt heard, and gave young people like me a chance. I got a chance to be in the studio with him when recording Victory Lap. He didn't know I rapped, because I was just there designing but I just sat and took it in all the game I could get. He was the catalyst and helped change the trajectory of my whole career.
You go by Mayor or Leimert at times. Are you running for mayor?
Nah, I am running for neighborhood council. The Neighborhood Council members are the ones that get to decide on budget allocation and get a lot of information on new developments and things. I already run the Make Crenshaw Great Again campaign and when I get into council, I hope to expand on that. I want to get information out to the community because it feels like a lot of things are hidden from us in regards to our own community. I just want to get in there and be the voice for the unheard. I may run for mayor one day for real, but I’m an artist not a politician (Laughs?)
You are multi-talented, how do you keep general balance in your life and what advice would you give someone struggling with balancing life?
I seek advice for myself, I just do it off of passion and I'm just creating. I'm still trying to figure out my formula of balancing things. Sometimes I get into a rapping slump and I'm doing so much other business it can be hard to wrestle. So I try to come up with a routine, set goals like I am going to finish this many songs this week and Imma come up with this many designs. Getting a calendar has helped a lot to stay on schedule. You also have to get your business done because being a creative comes with being a boss as well now.
What is Pray 4 The Hood?
At first it was just a t-shirt I designed. My homies and I were also just trying to do shows in the city and we were doing these shows where the mic didn't work or the set was cut short. There was always a problem at other shows like security wouldn't let all the homies get in. So we decided to throw our own event. There was a wooden stage in the middle of Leimert that wasn't too nice, but we got a generator and hopped on it. We made flyers and invited everyone out. We were doing shows like this every 3 months. By the 3rd we had to upgrade the venue because it got so big, we kept having to upgrade venues. It got so big, I collabed with a brand called The Hundreds and they sponsored the event. That one changed the event and we ended up turning it into a festival, then came Covid. Things like the George Floyd and Breonna Taylor slayings happened and we knew more than ever that we should continue on pandemic or not, we need to celebrate black independence. So we partnered up with the community and created Leimert rising and I curate my Pray 4 The Hood events within that festival.
What does Leimert Park mean to you?
It's like home, like when you come home and finally get to take your shoes off. The city is like a home away from home, I go to Leimert Park just to chill and feel love. You can be comfortable, It’s all black people and nobody is acting bougie or fake. It's not about celebrities or clout, it's just about black culture and everyone's just doing them, we all support black business and recycle to black dollars. Everyone knows Dom Kennedy is from Leimert park and he is like my big brother and I am just trying to continue the legacy.