24: Introduce yourself to everyone that doesnt already know who you are.
Sherm Demand: Sherm Demand remember the name cause you’ll hear it again.
24: Before we get into your music, can you describe your history about how you got into and what inspired you?
Sherm Demand: I began writing in the 3rd grade and my twin brother wanted me to ghost write for him when were in our teens. His life was tragically taken when we were 18, 3 days after I graduated high school. His death gave birth to my dreams and I have been driven ever since.
24: What was the Hip-Hop scene like for you growing up where you’re from?
Sherm Demand: Chicago in the 90’s was jumping!! We had Crucial Conflict, Twista, Psyco Drama, Tripple Darkness ,The Snypaz to name a few along with my favorite and also most misunderstood artist in the history of music, Mr. Tupac Shakur.
24: What makes you Unique as a artist and different from other rappers out now?
Sherm Demand: I took a couple years off to reflect on the artist I wanted to be and decided to allow my music to be an extension of myself. I am a licensed engineer by trade and a proud husband and father, also responsible brother and son and I felt the need to reflect that it’s “cool” to be all of thee above and still have fun and party as well.
24: Tell us about what you are working on.
Sherm Demand: “A Chicago drama”(see below) video sequel is set t hit the web next week. I was trying to have it done by this interview,but man plans and God laughs. I also recently finished a song called “Don’t impress me”(hear below) so I am looking to have the visual out on that by early April and also continue to work on my Brand, to me branding is everything. Once you establish a great brand you go from looking for work to turning work down because you have it in abundance.
24: What producers have you worked with and who would you like to work with in the future?
Sherm Demand: I produce myself and as a producer it took me a while to open up and collaborate with other producers. I lately have been working with the likes of Chicago producers Tommy Skillfinger and #SmittyBeats. Personally, I wouldn’t mind working with any producers as long as we have the chemistry to make good music.
24: Are you happy with the feedback you have been getting from people on material you have released?
Sherm Demand: The feedback has been AMAZING on the latest project “A Chicago Drama” currently on WorldStarHipHop.com got great reviews and excellent feedback and plenty of likes and shares which is rare for that site, they are relentless. Youtube also has an audience retention statistic that is very telling. Audience retention tells how long the viewer is watching beginning to end. The rate for “A Chicago Drama” is 99% which mens we are holding their attention throughout the entire video, which is huge!!
24: In today’s free download age, what do you need to do to make yourself a household name?
Sherm Demand: I believe in the visual, I grew up in an era where the visual sold the song. I can remember hearing a song and not really feeling it until I saw the video and got the vibe from it. Nowadays everyone wit a camera is a “videographer” and the amateurism has virtually killed the art of the music video.
24: How do you feel about the current state of the Hip-Hop scene?
Sherm Demand: If I had to choose a word it would be Imbalanced. Back in the days mainstream radio stations were more selective with their music forcing artist to be more creative and selective when it came to producing a lead single. Now the standards of content are so low a lot of what’s on the radio now is mostly braggadocios and stripper songs with zero nurturing content at all and many fans are being turned off by the culture as a whole. With this free mix-tapes era, remaining fans are getting so much free music why should they buy any? On the other hand Mix-tapes allow indie artist an opportunity to build a fan-base and possibly jump-start a career I.E. “Drake.” I’m not knocking the next Artist’s art at all, my point is there is not the proper balance needed to stand tall along with the mainstream genres. I want to open the door for other artist like myself with a somewhat nurturing positive message to be accepted as well creating the balance I feel Hip-Hop sorely needs to bring the sales numbers back to respectability.
24: Outside of the music, what else are you currently working on?
Sherm Demand: I am the owner of Suite 41 Studios, a state of the art, all in one multi-media facility near Chicago’s Midway Airport, specializing in audio, video and photography and along with being a full time maintenance engineer, I have enough to keep me busy. Apart from that I have a movie in the embryo stage and a couple of web series in the works as well.
24: Where do you see yourself going in 2013 and how do you plan to separate yourself from the other artist out today to get the recognition you feel you deserve?
Sherm Demand: The sky’s the limit for Sherm Demand in 2013 because I have the work ethic, drive, determination and resources. I own my own studio and have the capabilities to operate it with a God given gift.
24: How can fans go about contacting you?
Sherm Demand: Twitter: @Sherm_n_Demand, @suite41studios
Facebook: Sherm Dee, Suite 41 Studios
Suite 41 Studios
773-599-9041
E-Mail: shermdemand@gmail.com
24: Thank you for providing 24HourHipHop with this exclusive interview, do you have any last words for your present and future fans?
Sherm Demand: Thank everyone for reading and I hope you have a better understanding of who Sherm Demand is and Thank you 24hourhiphop.com for the opportunity and platform!
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