- Words Notion Staff
Shocka's album Vulnerability is the New Cool aims to redefine stigmas and promote the conversation surrounding mental health.
Rapper and mental health advocate Shocka has released his much-anticipated new album, Vulnerability is the New Cool, today, coinciding with World Mental Health Day. This innovative project blends conscious rap with pop, aiming to dismantle the stigma surrounding vulnerability, especially within the Black community.
Recorded over four years in collaboration with producer and close friend Otis, the album is a deeply personal endeavour for Shocka. “I wanted to address the mental health struggles faced by Black men,” he shares. His journey began in 2020, inspired by conversations during an Instagram Live where discussions about rising suicide rates among Black males prompted him to act. “I thought, ‘How can I decrease that number by just 1 percent?’” he recalls. Through music, he hopes to inspire others to embrace their vulnerability.
The lead single, ‘Good Time’, showcases a lighter tone as Shocka reflects on the balance between his music career and personal life. It serves as a reminder to take breaks and enjoy life amidst the pressures of success.
Hailing from Tottenham’s Broadwater Farm, Shocka’s sound is rooted in the influences of artists like Heartless Crew, Kano, and Wretch 32, and draws inspiration from icons like Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole. Describing his genre as conscious pop, he combines impactful messages with catchy choruses.
Having transitioned from the grime collective Marvell to a mental health advocate, Shocka has won two mental health awards. He believes in the healing power of music, stating, “I never know whose life I’m saving with a song, and that inspires me to keep going.” With Vulnerability is the New Cool, Shocka aims to connect, heal, and encourage open conversations about mental health.