Growing up in Massillon, Ohio, Derek Shanklin has always seen life through a unique perspective. As the middle child of a diverse and plentiful family, Sh4nk7in had to find himself in things such as hip-hop, basketball, writing, hiking, and more. Music has always been the way Sh4nk7in has expressed himself. Growing up with early inspirations of Logic, Nas, Capital Steez, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar- just to name a few. Sh4nk7in found himself heavily inspired by the soulful, boom-bap, “bouncy”, and lyrical expertise found in all of these artists. The motivations behind making music have always remained the same. Reflecting on some of his early childhood struggles of substance abuse, anxiety, rejection, feelings of loneliness, and his search for purpose in life. Beginning his musical career at the young age of 17, allows Sh4nk7in, as well as his audience, to grow as one. You get to witness the flaws, and struggles of someone who understands loss, emotions, and being misunderstood. Sh4nk7in takes pride in simply being human, his sobriety, his vintage sound and aesthetic, as well as being a part of something greater than himself. Being one of the original members of the hip-hop collective Rogue Ones. The mix of competition and brotherhood fits right in with the traits that not only make up Sh4nk7in, but Derek as well. Overall, pushing to inspire everybody to be the best versions of themselves, as that’s all we can really do in this life, and using his music as the medium to do that.