Shocka ft: Sami Switch - Don't Be Ashamed (Official Video)

Topical rapper and mental health advocate, Shocka, reassures sufferers of mental trauma on his latest offering ‘Don’t Be Ashamed’, featuring Sami Switch and releasing today.

Shocka has quite the story, and one that he looks back at with a sense of pride and fearlessness on ‘Don’t Be Ashamed’. Born and raised in Tottenham, London, Shocka exploded onto the Grime scene as one/third of Grime collective Marvell, alongside Double S and Vertex and going on tour with legendary grime MC’s Skepta and Chip.

After dealing with mental health issues himself, Shocka became a Mental health advocate, using his music to help those suffering from their own problems, speaking on a TEDx TALK and being a guest on numerous talk shows in order to raise awareness. Interviews with both ITV and The Guardian see Shocka open up about his roots, purpose and new-found lust for life, which couldn’t be more obvious on this new release.

Growing from the roots of his refreshing 2018 release ‘Self-love’ and a string of fascinating singles, ‘Don’t Be Ashamed’ sees Shocka unleash his creative hunger with an exploration of his past struggles with mental health, religion and alcohol, absorbing the guilt and confusion which lies in the wake of mental illness and delivering intimate words of comfort, pride and faith.

Speaking on the message of the single, Shocka explains; “At first listen it’s about breaking down the stigma attached to being sectioned, but there’s a bigger message... it’s also the realisation that we all have secrets insecurities and fears. I am willing to be vulnerable and admit my flaws, which I hope then allow others to be comfortable admitting theirs. The aim is to erase shame and bring about healing."