Rashad “Shadcore” Harrell's I LEFT A MESS IN THERE: Every Song Has a Story shares the career and life story of Harrell. He created the nickname “Shadcore” in high school to distinguish himself and create his “superpower” as an original rapper who's free from profanity but inclusive of love, passion, and determination. From using chapter titles as song titles and telling the reader why these songs came about to offering advice to those pursuing not just a career in the music industry but a passion for living life, Harrell consistently presents and conveys positivity throughout the memoir: “It’s a plethora of moods, feelings, and emotions, all designed to connect with the listener on a deeper level with the art that’s being presented."
Harrell connects with the reader through genuine (at times brutal) honesty to illustrate his story. He tells it like it is: “Never have I recorded a song (which means I paid someone my hard-earned money), only to later record a whole new song to the same beat and have to pay again.” However, as “Shadcore” has completed each song (chapter) and the complete album (book), it's clear that all the work he put in was worth it. Harrell also introduces the “merge-left” concept (inspired by a “sign he saw on his way to Walmart"): “In a perfect world we would live our lives with zero resistance, all gas and no brakes, but the truth is we constantly must adjust.” Especially in the world of rap music, change is constant and inevitable. Shadcore concludes each chapter with insightful words, and the phrase "merge-left" stands out prominently.
The music business also contains a lot of adversity, but there is no mention of much struggle, challenges, or roadblocks. Harrell mentions the passing of his father and writes the song “The Florida Room" (describing how he was in a VH1 rapping contest), in which his connection with readers shines. But it would be beneficial, especially to readers seeking a career in the music industry, to hear about some of the challenges and how Harrell overcame them.
That said, I LEFT A MESS IN THERE is still executed clearly, concisely, and consistently from beginning to end.
Rashad “Shadcore” Harrell's I LEFT A MESS IN THERE: Every Song Has a Story exuberates creativity, passion, determination, and genuine truth through a medium that exemplifies all this and more.
~Meghan Soderholm for IndieReader