May 05, 2021, 03:27am EST — Judah Shadrach Peters is committed to authentic storytelling. With the release of his first album “Gravity” in 2019, his work on Tee Grizzley’s 2019 project “Locked Up”, his forthcoming full- length project to be released this fall, and his freshly-released record “The League” featuring Wavo out now on all streaming sites, the independent artist is quickly on the rise, and there is no end in sight.
While he is often compared to Pop Smoke and described as the “Hood Drake”, Judah Shadrach’s sound is unique, composed of influences from his Jamaican heritage, his upbringing in Orlando, and his love for all music, but especially hip-hop and reggae. Born in San Antonio and raised in Florida, Judah Shadrach started making music with his friends at the ripe age of 12. Juggling his passions for both music and football, he earned a scholarship at Arizona Western and a spot on his college football team in Orlando. His love for music remained a constant. In 2015, his older brother was shot and killed the night of his birthday, and his cousin was arrested soon after. Turning to the medium was a way for him to express his emotions and grapple with those losses, among other personal issues and obstacles.
“I’m sort of an introvert till I get to know you,” he says. “After that, the extrovert comes out. Not a whole lot to say till I have something to say.” After college, Judah proceeded to own his own security company, though the road to explore and develop his craft was not always so smooth; in 2019, he took a break from music, and co-wrote with Swave on Tee Grizzley’s album “Locked Up” without credit that same year. Yet despite the roadblocks, he continued to persist, fueled by his love for the craft and his cousin XAN’s move to Florida.
“I never pursued a career in music until my cousin XAN heard my music,” he says. “The rest is history.” Now, Judah Shadrach is building up a growing repertoire, which includes his 2019 album “Gravity” and his newest release “The League”, a song inspired by one of his close friends who was killed as a result of gun violence.
He also has a list of performances with various other artists under his belt, including his 2016 performance with King MIZ and XAN at the Mercury Ballroom in Louisville, Kentucky; his 2021 Pro Bowl Performance; and his opening performances for Troy Ave, Lil Uzi Vert, and Bryson Tiller. It’s only up from here for the rising artist, and he has certainly come a long way.
Judah hopes that the stories he tells through his music will inspire fans across generations. “I believe that stories through music can touch a person in deep, meaningful ways,” he says. “When [fans] listen to my music, it’s a way for [them] to tap into my story to find strength in theirs.” As the writer for all of his lyrics, Judah Shadrach aims to continue delivering conscious and relevant music to his fans. Citing Lil Wayne, Jeezy, and Bouju Banton as his greatest inspirations, he aims to pay homage to the musical greats that came before him, and he prioritizes giving back to the youth and community in Orlando along the way.
These principles are formed around that basis– to be inspired and to inspire others himself, through and through. In that way, being an authentic storyteller is of utmost importance, and he wants his fans to know that they have someone real, someone who is just like them. For Judah Shadrach, authenticity characterizes both his craft and who he is at his core.
“I always treat people the way I want to be treated,” he says. “I like my fans to know that I am someone that will support them the same way they support me.” His commitment to staying true is what sets him apart from other artists. “There is a lot of fake BS and gimmicks,” he says. “I don’t care about chains or grills– can’t wear it so it’s not needed.” Although he never wants to rush to put out work, fans can expect more music and more videos, though staying grounded and driven remains a priority, his family and community pushing him through it all. “My family believe in me so hard and so much,” he says. “They wouldn’t let me give up even when I wanted to.”
With his latest record “The League” out now on all streaming sites and a host of upcoming projects to be released in the near future, it is clear that Judah Shadrach is here to stay, his unwavering tenacity and authenticity undoubtedly coming along with him.
Connect with Judah Shadrach on social media for updates on new music, videos, and more; @flavalikejuice