Harvey, Louisiana’s own Selfmade_Shark is back with a powerful new EP, a deeply personal project shaped by pain, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of success. The project serves as a follow-up to his well-received mixtape, Tough Love 1, and arrives after a turbulent period in his life, including a 2.5-year jail sentence and the tragic loss of close friends and family members. With this release, Selfmade_Shark turns personal hardship into motivation, creating a body of work that speaks to struggle, perseverance, and ultimately, victory.
A Follow-Up Born from Pain
Selfmade_Shark’s previous mixtape, Tough Love 1, set the stage for his latest EP. The success of that project gave him momentum, but life took an unexpected turn, forcing him to pause his career. During his incarceration, he lost his close friend and fellow artist Seven7 Hardaway, as well as his blood brother, Li Dee. These heartbreaking losses deeply influenced the direction of the EP, making it more than just music—it became a tribute to the people he loved and a reflection of his personal journey.
“The music is different now because life is different,” Selfmade_Shark explains. “I went through the hardest moments of my life, and this EP captures all of that.”
The Most Meaningful Track: “Don’t Tell Me”
Out of all the songs on the EP, one stands out the most to Selfmade_Shark: “Don’t Tell Me.” The song is a raw and emotional response to the phrase “keep your head up”—something people often tell him in the wake of tragedy. But for someone who has lost so much, those words can feel empty.
“It’s a reflection of how I feel when someone says ‘keep your head up,’” he says. “They don’t really understand what we’ve been through—losing my brother, losing my patna Justin, and Seven Hardaway.”
“Don’t Tell Me” is a deeply personal moment on the project, a song where Selfmade_Shark lets his emotions bleed into the lyrics, giving listeners an unfiltered look into his world.
The Biggest Challenge: Losing It All and Starting Over
The road to completing this EP was anything but smooth. One of the biggest setbacks came when Selfmade_Shark was arrested for distribution charges, derailing his creative process. The legal trouble not only cost him his freedom but also caused him to lose all the music he had been working on.
“I had to start over from scratch,” he recalls. “I was in the middle of making the tape when I got locked up. Everything I had was gone. I had to come back and rebuild it from nothing.”
Despite these challenges, he refused to let setbacks define him. Instead, he used them as fuel, channeling his frustration and pain into his music. This resilience is evident throughout the EP, as every track carries the weight of real-life experiences.
The Message: Overcoming Struggle and Turning Pain into Motivation
More than anything, Selfmade_Shark wants this EP to inspire listeners. It’s not just about the struggle—it’s about rising above it.
“This album is about overcoming,” he says. “It’s about adversity. It’s about the struggle. I hope somebody listens to this and gets motivated. I hope it makes them want to go get them some money and level up in life.”
In an era where music can sometimes feel superficial, Selfmade_Shark offers something real. His storytelling is vivid, his emotions are raw, and his message is clear: No matter what you go through, you can come back stronger.
Where to Find the EP
For those who want to experience the journey firsthand, Selfmade_Shark’s new EP is available on major streaming platforms.
- Instagram: @selfmade_shark
- Spotify: Selfmade_Shark on Spotify
- YouTube: Selfmade_Shark on YouTube
This EP is more than just music—it’s a statement. It’s a testament to perseverance, dedication, and the will to survive. Whether you’ve faced hardships yourself or simply appreciate authentic, heartfelt storytelling, this project is a must-listen. Selfmade_Shark has turned his pain into power, and now he’s ready to share that energy with the world.
