LYNNWOOD—Lynnwood-based rapper Shane Diamanti is hitting the road this summer on a several weeks-long, multi-state, tour opening for well-known California-based rapper Phora.
Diamanti, 30, was born and raised in Lynnwood. He recalls the first moment he got the spark for music production, making a mixed tape with his father’s blank cassettes as a kid.
He began getting into rap music while attending Meadowdale High School, getting into artists like J. Cole, Mac Miller, and Atmosphere – all of which, he said, inspired his sound.
It was during his Senior year of high school when he got his “first little buzz,” he said after posting a dictionary freestyle on Facebook, which garnered over a thousand likes. After that he began performing at local venues like the Fun House in Seattle, the Vera Project, and local breweries like Peace of Mind.
Diamanti works with several music producers for his beats. His writing is a mixture of freestyle and a more thoughtful writing process, depending on the song.
“Sometimes I just hear the beat and I feel like I’m a therapist at times, like if you were to ask me questions and my lyrics were the answers for what you’re going through,” said Diamanti. “But if it’s more of a fun vibe then I’m just trying to spit some bars.”
The themes of Diamanti’s music changes depending on the headspace he’s in while writing, he told the Lynnwood Times.
Diamanti will be heading down to Los Angeles this September to finish recording his upcoming E.P., which will be independently produced. Though he is not currently signed to a record label he said his priorities are just to “have fun,” to take his time, and “wait for the proper move.”
“I’ve been working with a lot of different producers, and it’s been a long time coming,” said Diamanti. “I’m just thankful that I can still be in contact with them and make sure I can get this project taken care of. I’ve been doing a lot of deep music lately, but this one will be coming out for the summertime and be something that I think a lot of people can enjoy.”
The album will have six tracks. Diamanti hopes to have it done by September 13 so that he can promote it at a scheduled performance at the Vera Project.
Diamanti’s tour will be hitting California, Idaho, Texas, Utah, Arizona, and more. Though he has performed on several tours before locally, this will be his first out-of-state, and biggest tour yet.
“I’m just trying to have a good time with good people because you never know what’s going to happen on tour so it’s good to have people who’ll ride with me, and care for me, so if anything happens we got each other,” said Diamanti.
He informed the Lynnwood Times he hopes the tour will grant him more exposure and an opportunity to share his music with different crowds.
Diamanti also has his own production company, Diamanti Visions, that puts on shows across the Seattle area. He manages an up-and-coming artist named Dante Rivers.
“There’s not a lot of artists coming out of Lynnwood. I got a lot of love for Lynnwood. I worked at the Grocery Outlet, I play the Peace of Mind Brewery, when I walk around, I get a lot of love. People are cool here in Lynnwood,” said Diamanti. “You can do shows in Seattle, you can do shows in Everett, but I bring people back to Lynnwood and it’s just appreciation for my city.”
Author: Kienan Briscoe
