Swangin’ with Shelby Stewart
Houston has always been an influential city in Hip-Hop. The way we freestyled in our music. The way we chopped n’ screwed our sound. The way we wore diamonds in our mouth. The way we ride slow in our candy coated cars. I can go and on about H-Town. However, we’re so much more than all of those things that were listed. Shelby Stewart is someone who knows this just as much as anyone. She is someone who dedicates her time and effort to making sure the city gets its proper recognition in Hip-Hop. The HTX Hip-Hop museum, created by Shelby, is just an example of how Houston has impacted the genre in so many ways. I talk to Shelby about Houston’s influence in Hip-Hop, the HTX Hip-Hop museum, her writing for the Houston Chronicle, and more.
When did you realize that Houston was so influential in Hip-Hop?
I realized it when I was a lot younger, but that propelled the idea even further for me. As an adult now, to realize that we didn’t have one before I said I wanted to do one, is pretty crazy. We should have one when you think about everything that Houston has done this far.
You have a passion for Hip-Hop and music in general. Before the HTX Hip-Hop Museum, was there ever a plan of including your passion for music into your career?
Actually, yes. That was always the plan and the museum cultivated that in a much bigger way than I would’ve imagined. However, music has always been a part of what I wanted to do with my life and career. So right now I currently work for the Houston Chronicle and I write about culture and music in the Texas area. However, before that, I was doing other stuff for music. I was doing things with 97.9 The Box and things like that. I’ve always enjoyed writing about music and surrounding myself with the culture.
I feel like many people don’t bring up the fact that you’re an excellent writer as well. When did your love for writing start and how did that lead to writing for Houston Chronicle?
I’ve been a solid writer my whole life honestly. I had teachers back in middle school who told me that I was a really good writer. I found my niche with that throughout college by talking about hip-hop. That’s how people knew me in college so I just made that my thing, but I did it my way. I’m very blessed to say I was able to do that because not everyone can merge their passion with their careers.
Speaking of the Houston Chronicle, you wrote a piece about how Slowed + Reverb is just chopped and screwed gentrified. What made you want to write that? Also, does it upset you when non-Black who don’t know Hip-Hop do things such as this?
I wrote that when that Tik Tok video went viral about the whole concept of slowed and reverb. It’s upsetting because DJ Screw should get more credit for the things that he’s done in the industry. That’s one of the main reasons why I wanted to establish a museum. I don’t want to say I get offended because music spans different cultures and socioeconomic statuses so everybody will get a chance to experience it. However, it’s just knowing the history behind it.
You’re a Black Woman who is very knowledgeable about Hip-Hop. It’s very intimidating to men in that industry. Why do you think men feel intimidated when they find out Black women know about Hip-Hop just as much, if not, more than them?
Hip-hop itself is male-dominated so men feel comfortable enough to speak on it regularly. However, it’s okay for women to enter the conversation too. Women know their stuff as much, if not, more than men. When women enter the conversation it sets a change of pace. We’re entering a new era for women overall within the industry and not just as musicians. It’s very lovely to be able to enter this space and to feel seen by your peers.
With the HTX Hip-Hop Museum growing every day, do you feel pressured carrying the legacy of Hip-Hop music in Houston on your shoulders?
Not necessarily. I’ve never claimed to know everything about hip-hop, even in my hometown of Houston. I’m constantly in a space of learning new things. I want the museum to be as best and accurate as possible. I’m always open to being taught new things by other people. If anything, that’s the biggest misconception with it is that I know everything and I’ve never claimed that.
I’ve heard people say at times Houston has a lot of dope artists and creatives, but they never get the support that they need. Do you believe that’s true? If so, what can we do to make sure they get that support?
I’ve heard it a few times before. I’m kinda on the fence on how I feel about that statement because I want to be a part of that change. A part of the mission for what I want to do with the museum is to be able to create that platform for upcoming artists so they can thrive as well. It’s important that people know that you can make it outside of Houston without leaving to go anywhere else. It’s key to change the narrative because it’s been going on for so long. I have a lot of friends who are artists, producers, etc. and I want to see them be successful. We’re entering this new wave where people can be creative freely and I want to push that.
If you had to pick one song to exemplify what Houston is, what song would it be and why?
That’s a hard question. This is probably going against the grain because people would expect me to say “Mo City Don” or “Still Tippin’”. However, “Welcome to Houston” truly shows just about all sides and parts of Houston. It exemplifies everything that embodies the city in itself.
You received a Master’s degree in Public Relations at 23 years old. Tell me about the journey towards getting your Master’s and why that was important for you.
It was super important because the museum wouldn’t be what it is now without my Master’s degree. It was actually my graduate project. I presented the thesis to my professor and explained to them exactly how I wanted to do it. It kinda helped having a background in public relations. I always had the idea, but I just sat on it because it was such a big project. One day, I was in class that evening and I was talking to my peers and professor about how cool it would be if Houston had a Hip-Hop museum. Everybody in the class said, “Shelby, you should do that.” Afterward, I started putting it into action.
What advice would give to young Black women who want to be writers, creatives, or a part of Hip-Hop in general?
Be consistent. I didn’t necessarily get into this space overnight. My ideas didn’t happen overnight; they happened overtime. You should see the value in your work because everything that you touch has quality. Also, don’t be afraid to do it broke. Don’t be afraid to do it for free because doing those things are the stepping stones to help you get to where you need to be.
Follow Shelby Stewart on Instagram and Twitter. Follow the HTX Hip-Hop Museum on Instagram and Twitter. Also, check out her writing in the Houston Chronicle.
