After darkness comes light: an interview with Sh8peshifter

Rare is the quality of an artist who so purely and cohesively inhabits the persona they have created for themselves.

Sh8peshifter is the artistic project of Zakiya Harris, a California native who has worn many hats in her eventful life. She is a mother, an entrepreneur, a performer, and an educator. She has published a book — Shapeshift Your Life — that runs analogous to a wellness series whose curriculum incorporates the book’s key takeaways. Her engaging musical releases — which she aptly describes as “afro-eclectic” — span many genres and prove for an engaging listen that demands the undivided attention of its listener.

I was able to see Sh8peshfiter perform at Bandcamp’s creative space in downtown Oakland. Throughout the duration of her set, Sh8peshifter interacted with the audience, waved to members of the crowd and made every individual person feel special among the venue’s already intimate environment.

The B-Side caught up with Sh8peshifter a couple of days before her performance at Bandcamp. The resulting interview was an utterly refreshing conversation about wellness, growth, and the importance of being adaptable in a world where no persona is ever quite enough to impress everyone’s expectations.

During Oakland First Fridays next week you’re performing at the Bandcamp store with a group called Orchestra Gold. How did that come about?

Actually, one of the members is a former co-worker of mine, and I have a tendency to play with a lot of artists in a similar vein. I wanted the opportunity to highlight another black woman from the diaspora who is doing amazing work and kind of creating a global field and mashing that up with my electronic, soulful sound. First Fridays is a good place to do that because the people who show up are always looking for an eclectic mix. So I thought, what better place to achieve my goal than Bandcamp?

Where does your stage name originate from?

Nine years ago, I lost my home to a foreclosure, the non-profit I was running lost all of its funding, my marriage ended in divorce, the band I was in with my former partner ended, I got a permanent scar on my face — my world turned upside-down, to put it short. In that time, I had to identify who I was within all these labels — mother, homeowner, business owner, employed. When none of these labels apply to you anymore, I had to do an identity search and find out who I was. That is when the mantra “shapeshifting” came to me. It came to me, resonated in my heart and spirit. Shapeshifting to me is allowing water to be your teacher. Water makes the majority of our planet and body. Water is feminine in nature, it assumes the form of any container it is placed in. This is what I had to do when I was going through my shift. I had to find my own moments. I had take the shape of any form. Whether I was in one place or another, employed or unemployed, I am still powerful. My essence is not limited to my identity and these labels. I think so many times, people let society’s labels define who we are, and then those labels become who we are. If those labels are taken away from you, you have nothing else about you that is bigger than those labels.

I literally went into my closet at the time and wrote my first album and recorded it in my closet. The title song was called “Sh8peshifter” and that just became my superhero name.

It looks like you make an effort to support other artists, too. In an interview with KALW, you highlighted events by female musicians. Bandcamp supporting you is like coming back full circle.

Absolutely. Sarah Sexton, who heads programming over at Bandcamp, has been a part of my performing career from my very first EP release over seven years ago at Awaken Cafe, to now when I perform at the New Parish. I did a one-woman show at the Starline that she helped co-produce. Now she got hired at Bandcamp and brought me over there with her. So it’s really just been a family affair replete with growth and uplifting of local artists. I continually aim to support the culture and the movement wherever I go.

You’ve been performing with artists like Talib Kweli, Mos Def, even Gil Scott Heron. Have those been memorable experiences for you?

Yeah, a lot of that was older performances. I think now I am going to kick off a Pacific Northwest tour. We’re doing Seattle, Boise, Portland. Really just want to get back out there in front of different audiences.

Your music spans so many genres.  Your top tracks on Spotify are eclectic and fun. Have you noticed a change in your style as streaming becomes more prevalent?

Really, it’s a testament to where all music is going. It is harder to put all the stuff I love into any genre these days. Folks are getting out of their boxes. That is the cool thing for art. It is kind of difficult when you are trying to sell yourself, because people want something — like a genre — they can put their finger on.

Gone are the days of vinyl where you commit yourself to a record and listen straight through.

That’s very true. It’s all about figuring out your community and building your network and schedule and things that make you feel well.

Are there any spots in Oakland or the Bay Area where you come back to hang out, find peace, and connect with others?

I love driving up into the hills in Oakland. Wherever you are in Oakland, you’re probably 15 minutes away from the redwoods. I love venturing to Tilden and Sequoia Park. If I am in the city, Lake Merritt is always easy to go to. I have a tribe of women that I get council from. There are sayings that go, “Your crew is only as strong as the weakest link”, and, “You are a reflection of the people around you and they are reflecting where you are at so what does that say about you.” Are you the person who is always putting them up to new tasks, encouraging them, helping them, saving them? Are you in a space where it’s mutual, where there’s reciprocity, where it’s a shared exchange of energy? And so my circle is small but that is also a place where I am able to go. I have a social community I can fall back to.

It seems like that perspective you lead has affected your community. It was a pleasant surprise to learn that you helped with Hack the Hood, you’ve been speaking at events, you’re an entrepreneur.

My music, my spirituality, my business ventures, they are all intertwined.

You can listen to Sh8peshifter’s latest album, After Darkness, here:

Article by Erika Badalyan