In a world that feels like it’s moving faster by the day, there’s always a record that can slow down time for us. That special display of music that feels good to hear as the elements work together in perfect harmony to make something enjoyable for us to hear. That incredible display of music is what you get from Sharveal Johnson. 

Sharveal Johnson is a multi-talented Hip-Hop and R&B artist hailing from Chicago. He is a singer, rapper, actor, model and inspirational writer who credits his inspiration to never giving up. Seeing other up-and-coming artists give up on their dreams kept on inspiring him to keep pushing to achieve more. Growing up, Sharveal had the choice to enhance his basketball or music career, while good at both Sharveal made the decision even after receiving promising offers from basketball, he chose to move forward with his commitment to his music.

The ultimate vibe of a record is what you get from Sharveal on his recent release called  “BILLION”. The music vibes to the fullest and lets you just be a fan of good music, with the magic as well as beauty of it all being in full bloom to make us keep this record in rotation for time to come.

Listen to  “BILLION” by Sharveal on Spotify:

Hello there, welcome to Honk Magazine. Can you tell our readers about what really inspired you to write music?

Sharveal – What really inspired me to write music is being creative with my youngest sister Toyanna ( Yanni ) Johnson. She used to write poems and I used to take her poems and turn them into songs. But I started writing alone once I started a group called Y2 Phresh in Miami rather than Chicago in 2009.

When did you realize you were going to make music professionally? 

Sharveal – I knew I wanted to make music professionally at the age of 7 when I used to watch the choir sing, the drummer on the drums and the piano player play the keys so beautifully at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist church in Chicago, IL.

Tell us what is so unique about you and your music? 

Sharveal – My music is unique because it tells my story with some beautiful production in the background to make you vibe too. What is so unique about me is that I enjoy being myself. Sometimes I sing and sometimes I rap but no matter what you’ll feel my vibe and hear my soul bumping through your speakers.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that? 

Sharveal – I would say the funniest mistake was in high school at my 1st show at Miami Beach Senior High. As I was singing I forgot some words but no one else noticed lol. Also bumping into a friend on stage, others probably didn’t notice, but me as a real performer now I can sit back and say that was funny. The lesson I learned is to practice your songs and be spaced out on stage if you have a hype man or performers so you don’t bump into each other.

Can you tell us about your latest releases and what inspired you to create them? 

Sharveal – The latest release is my single “Billion” produced by Dj Goose that received attention from major blogs and press besides being in the club right now. We’re looking to release a video on BET soon with another single called “My Girl” produced by David Spears. What inspired me to write “Billion” was seeing it be branded through some people I admired when I was working my valet job in Las Vegas. A guy named Yonas Tedla and his team used to have Billion on their hoodies, pulling up in exotic cars to highrises and I was admired by them. So I was listening to a beat and decided to make a song called Billion. Days later Yonas asked if I wanted to perform at his venue for New years 2020 at Billion Schmith Studios and it was a wrap from there. My career took off and I never worked a normal job again after 2020. The same week Yonas asked if I wanted a residency there and I agreed and created my own R&B Band called Sharveal & The R&B Gang. So that’s how my last release was created, by inspiration from others with the desire to obtain the same things and more. But truly looking to inspire a billion people with my music. The “Billion” video was shot by director Millie X. “My Girl” was inspired by my ex-wife and was my 1st college radio song in 2017. We just shot the music video for it with an appearance from R&B singer Evon Kadin looking to drop on BET also this year directed by Ches Owens.

Can you give us a brief insight about your upcoming projects? 

Sharveal – Yes, my Hiphop & R&B project IDGAF was inspired by the book ” The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*** by Mark Manson. This book helped me realize there’s a lot of things I shouldn’t care for or hold on to any longer for my peace of mind. So after finishing the book I started working on this project giving my audience all of me singing and rapping about everything going on in my life or that has happened in my life. It’s a vibe tho with club bangers produced by a very young upcoming producer from Africa. I’m blessed to have signed to me this year, his name is Wakaba. My 1st R&B album, also finished, is called 11:11. It is produced by a very well known producer in entertainment right now known as Jay Uncut . I actually got connected to him by coming in second place for an online showcase in 2021 with him and PR/ Radio Host Kalisha Perera and others. He saw my potential and believed in me enough to send his beat catalog and I hand picked every beat and wrote my heart on them. This album will showcase my versatility and hopefully touch hearts from track 1-11 on both projects.

What do you wish you were told when you first started making music that you think would help artists just starting out?

 Sharveal – Honestly I feel I was mentored correctly throughout my journey of having management. I now manage myself and utilize my connections and network of associates. I’m here where I’m at in life for a reason because I listened, learned and now execute with my knowledge, commitment and consistency. My 1st manager who was my mother Mama J denied my 1st deal from Atlantic because she wanted me to learn the business. My other managers Life, Cairos, Smoke God, and Rick Ward taught me business and how to move correctly in this music business as a king. But honestly I would tell everyone to be Patient with yourself and work. Enjoy the moment in time and don’t rush anything. Slow and steady wins the race is what I preach to my company PNB Empire Inc.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”? 

Sharveal – Do not burn bridges. Be quick to listen and slow to speak. Be yourself and learn from others’ mistakes. Be patient and never rush anything. Surround yourself with people on your level or doing greater than you. Protect your investment and love what you’re doing.

 What do you do when you don’t do music (creative or otherwise) and that you are passionate about?

Sharveal – I enjoy playing basketball, painting, hiking, and reading. Helping build other people brands when I’m not being a phenomenal father to my beautiful children (Nahla G Johnson & Sharveal C Johnson Jr).

Any last piece of advice for those artists who just started making music?

Sharveal – Believe in yourself and stay focused on your goals. Your friends and family might not see your vision at first but keep your eye on the prize and your heart on what you love.

How can our readers follow you online?

Sharveal – You can all follow me on Instagram – @Sharveal