It is a little bit nerve-wracking, Shane Cockell admitted.
After 18 months of pouring his hopes, frustrations and dreams into rhymes, the Squamish resident has composed his first rap album - The Album.
"It is pretty cool," Cockell said of completing the project. "It is a good feeling."
Featuring 10 tracks, including three remixes of original work, the CD follows the flow of Cockell's idols - the big names of the late 1980s and early '90s. The Squamish General Hospital security guard and his brother Clayton, who helped produce the record, grew up listening to the high-pitched, attitude-drenched lyrics of rapper Easy-E.
"I wouldn't say [The Album] is gangsta rap," Cockell said. "I would say it's more inspirational, kind of old-school hip-hop.
Cockell's next step may be the toughest yet. He's putting his music out for the world to critique. Under his rapper name XerxeS, Cockell's songs can be found on the music website Reverbnation.com.
Writing lyrics is a deeply personal experience, he noted. It's a bit daunting to reveal oneself in public in that manner, Cockell said, adding that online, people don't any punches.
"We had some negativity," he said. "We had more positive feedback then anything, though."
Ultimately, Cockell aims to use money from album sales to buy production equipment. There are a lot of youth in Squamish interested in the hip-hop scene and Cockell is on a mission to unearth some of that talent.
"It won't be a problem to get a show together here," he said.
XerxeS is growing an online fan following of approximately 7,000 people. The website currently ranks Cockell's sound as the top hip-hop artist in Squamish.
The Album is on sale at the Squamish Pawn Shop Inc. at 38019 3rd Ave. The CD costs $5. For more information on Cockell and his music email [email protected].
