Shaun Harris of Tucson on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Shaun Harris shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Shaun, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Yes, actually. Recently, I joined a mutual aid group in my hometown of Tucson, Arizona, where we provide food, clothing, and other support services to unhoused community members. It’s something I find incredibly meaningful—not just because of the impact we’re making, but because I get to connect with people on a human level. I often find myself laughing or smiling during those moments of conversation, where we’re just two people relating to one another. I grew up in extreme poverty myself, so this cause hits close to home. Being able to give back in a real, hands-on way makes me feel both proud and grounded. It reminds me why community and empathy matter.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Born and raised in Tucson’s 10th Avenue Housing Projects, known locally as “The Jays,” Shaun’s early life was marked by hardship. After the death of his mother, he and his brother were raised by their grandmother, who had already raised nine children of her own. Despite these challenges, music became a lifeline for Shaun. In his teenage years, he formed the hip-hop duo Gang Squad Click and later collaborated with artists such as Shock-G of Digital Underground and DJ Clay Steele, which led to his involvement in the Jungle/Drum and Bass scene. He went on to form the hiphop group Magnum Opus and later the live hip-hop band Shaun Harris w/ Full Release, winning local media awards and signing with indie label EX-Pat Records.

After a hiatus, Shaun returned to music with producer LUGO, creating albums like Unfuck Yourself and Album 2, which explore themes of middle-aged Black identity and the complexities of life in America. His music, which he terms “UNC-HOP” (adult-contemporary hip-hop), resonates with an older audience seeking depth and authenticity in hip-hop.

Beyond his musical endeavors, Shaun is deeply committed to community service. He actively participates in mutual aid initiatives in Tucson, providing food, clothing, and support to the unhoused population. Having grown up in poverty, Shaun finds profound joy and purpose in connecting with individuals facing similar struggles. These interactions not only allow him to give back but also remind him of the shared humanity that binds us all.

Shaun’s artistic endeavors also serve as a platform for advocacy. His spoken-word piece, “My Skin,” recorded by The Tucson Studio, was featured by Arizona Arts in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, highlighting his commitment to social justice and racial equality.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
For me, it was growing up in the housing projects. As a kid, I didn’t really understand how the system we live in worked—I just knew things were hard, and some people seemed to struggle a lot more than others. Over time, I began to realize those struggles weren’t just personal; they were structural. My mother played a huge role in shaping how I see the world—she always told me to question everything and to seek answers in whatever way I could. That mindset stuck with me. It taught me not to take things at face value and to look deeper into why things are the way they are. That perspective has shaped how I engage with people, how I work, and how I move through the world.

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
One thing I changed my mind about after a tough failure was the idea that things would always go as planned if I just worked hard enough. I learned to adapt to failure and keep moving forward, no matter what. I stopped expecting anything to be handed to me—and realized no one owes me favors. That shift taught me to be truly appreciative of anyone willing to walk this journey with me, whether in life or work. Most importantly, I learned to treat every failure as a lesson, not a dead end. You take what you can from it, grow, and keep pushing forward.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
“A lot of the lies the music industry tells don’t line up with what I’ve experienced. One of the biggest is that ‘talent always rises to the top.’ I’ve seen firsthand that talent alone isn’t enough. It takes persistence, community, resources—and often, people with less talent but more access get further. I’ve had to grind for every bit of progress I’ve made.”

“I also stopped believing the industry is built to support artists. It’s not. It’s built to profit off them. That’s why I’ve stayed independent and focused on making the kind of music that reflects real life—not just what’s trending. I call it UNC-HOP, adult contemporary hip-hop, because it speaks to people like me who’ve grown, struggled, and are still standing.”

“I never waited for a big break or expected anyone to hand me anything. I built my career from the ground up, doing shows, forming bands, releasing music, and giving back to my community through mutual aid. I’ve done work feeding and clothing the unhoused here in Tucson, because I know what it feels like to go without. That’s always been more real to me than chasing industry clout.”

“So yeah, I’ve failed, adjusted, and kept pushing. I’ve learned the system isn’t fair—but that doesn’t mean you stop. You just keep showing up, stay grounded, and speak your truth. That’s what matters.”

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
Simple. Creating music. That’s it.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Neal Schlosburg , Cruz Ochoa, Itzen leon

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?

Coffee? Workouts? Hitting the snooze button 14 times? Everyone has their morning ritual and we

Highlighter Series
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?

Our deepest wounds often shape us as much as our greatest joys. The pain we

Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than