Shark’s Don’t Sink: R. on Breaking Through & Building Carson’s Hip Hop Hub

20 years in the making, R.’s breakthrough shows just why Hip Hop culture is built on love, grit, and authenticity

For Carson, CA producers and emcee, Rashad Rahman aka R., 2025 has been a year of long-awaited breakthrough. After over 20 years of staying on his grind, R. released back-to-back singles with Southern California’s MojoHeadz Records. The first, “Cali’s Own” is a hard-hitting, self-produced track birth from a re-discovered beat R. made several years ago. It’s follow-up single, “Summer Flow” is an upbeat West Coast anthem laid over BogBoyTraks production.

R.’s turning point didn’t just come by signing a deal, it was witnessing his work earn positive reviews from well-respected platforms like UndergroundHipHopBlog.com and Hype Off Life. With a deep belief in originality, perseverance, and doing everything from a place of love, R. is now building his home-based studio, Studio B into a creative hub for artists in the South Bay

From his minimalist yet professional setup, R. is transforming his journey into a blueprint for the next generation, proving that with skill, heart, and the right energy, you can transform dreams into reality.

You’ve been making your way in music for more than 20 years, most recently and notably landing two records with MojoHeadz. Looking back, at what moment did you feel, “Ok, I’m finally breaking through”?

I didn't really feel I was breaking through until I received a positive review from UndergroundHipHopBlog.com and your magazine, Hype off Life. Which was April of this year, 2025. It wasn't until I took a leap of faith that things started to happen. I researched prominent Hip Hop magazines and labels. (I sent my music to you & the Source for magazines).

Around the same time I sent my music to you and UndergroundHipHopBlog.com, I sent my first demo to MojoHeadz Records and two other labels. I actually forgot I sent it out until I received an email from MojoHeadz Records asking me if I would work with them. I said, yes. However,  it wasn't until I was signed that I felt I'm on to something.

This was my third encounter with a label.  The first two were links through cousins, but never materialized. Then MojoHeadz and lastly, Sony. Furthermore,  your review made me think I've finally reached my stride, so to speak. Until then I was making music like crazy.  Sharing it with family, professors, bosses, and peers. It's just what I do. I've always received positive responses from people of all backgrounds. But yeah, it wasn't until this year I felt I was breaking through.

Cali’s Own was entirely produced on a free phone app before being mixed and mastered. How did that DIY process shape your perspective on what it really takes to make a great record?

Well, I made Cali's Own  five or six years ago. I forgot about it until this year when I found it on my computer. I re-recorded it this year to get it just right. I did multiple takes until I felt it was ready. Something I learned from Demetrius Elkins Jr., a musician, doing his own thing with Culture F1st. It let me realize that to make a "great record" it takes more than the equipment you use. It takes the spark that's in us all. It's in you! It's the hard work and dedication to the craft that will shine through in your music. Also, it taught me to stick to being original.

I think that's why it received positive reviews from you and MojoHeadz records. Plus, UndergroundHipHopBlog.com. The #1 underground hip hop site on the planet.The originality, hard work, and developing my own sound over the years is why that song is special to me. Furthemore, perhaps why other people might receive it positively. So yeah, dare to be different.

Your second release with MojoHeadz, “Summer Flow”, is dropping soon. What can listeners expect from it, as compared to “Cali’s Own”?

With Summer Flow people can expect a fun record, dope lyrics, and smooth delivery. I found the beat for it from Bigboytraks. A platinum producer. It's an upbeat record. The beat is smooth with a West Coast vibe.  Cali's Own was about speaking on the things I've said over the years. I told people I would make it and that, "sharks don't sink, we swim." Which is a line in Cali's Own.

Cali's Own was about following through with my goals. It was about overcoming and presenting my own original sound to people. Further, I made the beat in my own thumping sound, which is about pounding drums and a sound that's totally unique, found here in Cali. Whereas, Summer Flow has a more mainstream appeal,  Cali's Own has an underground feel to me.

You’ve previously mentioned that you want to eventually run your own record label one day. What kind of artists, sounds, and vibes would you want it to represent?

Well, I'm a music lover. I like just about any genre of music. As a label,  I would love to represent Hip Hop artists, smooth jazz, and jazz artists. Plus, R&B and neo soul musicians. I've met people over the years that are really talented. I know a cat named Gadget, Travis Jones, who has a ton of industry experience mixing and mastering music. Plus, [he] made an instrumental for the film, How to Be a Player. He makes smooth jazz music and plays many instruments. Yet, he is unsigned.

I know another young man, Joseph Burrell who I went to Banning High School with. I played basketball with him. I never knew he could sing until he sang at my house one day. He sang a segment of Anytime by Brian McKnight acapella and it sounded like the voice of an angel. He has industry experience working with Jamie Foxx and doing his own thing, too. He sang backup for Jamie Foxx at Clive Davis' party, if I'm not mistaken. He has a great R&B voice. Both of them make great music! 

Yet, I'm open to all genres of music. There are always people developing new and exciting genres of music. Combining elements from multiple genres and creating something that's totally awesome. That's why I love Hip Hop. It pulls inspiration from every genre.

Let’s talk Studio B aka The Bat Cave. What makes your Carson studio a special place for artists to record?

Well, Studio B is built in a quaint home in Carson, CA. What makes it special is it's where it's at to me, CARSON. I've been fortunate to have always been around pro musicians at some point in my life and now I'm a pro as well. I went to elementary school at Ambler Elementary with Ray J and Brandy. Plus,  I lived down the street from The Boys, when I lived on Leapwood Ave out here in Carson.

In addition, I had brunch with Phil Perry, a smooth jazz singer, when I was younger.  He was related to a friend of the family. Also, Joseph lived in the same area as me in Carson. Thus, I've always believed it was possible to get signed. Which is important!

You have to "believe it, to achieve it." [is] something my mother has always told me. She was an educator and administrator for LAUSD. Thus, great at inspiring young minds. I didn't know The Boys or Brandy and Ray J, though, nor Phil Perry. But, Studio B has a positive atmosphere for aspiring and established musicians to record their music. Which is vital!

I've recorded in more expensive studios but didn't get the sound I wanted. You have to feel comfortable where you record. Artists  can come here and feel free to create without judgment being passed and feel comfortable.

We have a piano for those that play. A booth, M-Audio mic and interface, Aiwa speakers, and Daakro amplifier for the speakers. Plus, acoustic panels and JBL headphones. I plan on upgrading some of the equipment.  But pro songs have been recorded here. So, it's a solid place to record. Yet, like I mentioned earlier, it's in you.

However, if you want to be a pro, you should surround yourself with people that are pros. I read a book called Swim with the Sharks and it mentioned something similar. They'll naturally give you tips as you build a working relationship with them that you can utilize in your own journey. Those nuggets of wisdom really pay off and will aid in your development.

If you're not around pros. Read books and learn about "paying your dues" and what it takes to be a professional artist, if that's your goal. I've read books by Miles Davis and about John Coltrane, and even books on poetry. I just wanted to improve my craft and be taken as a serious artist.

But yeah, it's the people that make Studio B special. The people that come through and I will gladly pass on quality tidbits to anyone coming through to record music and won't charge an arm and a leg in the process.

You’ve recorded professional tracks in Studio B with a modest but focused setup. For upcoming artists building their own spaces, what’s the most important gear investment to make first?

I think it's in the person. But yeah, a quality mic, decent DAW (digital audio workstation), plus a booth, or some sort of sound proofing would be great to start. Yes, my studio is modest compared to industry set ups. But it's the musical knowledge and experience gleaned over the years that are the x factors in making your music shine. Plus, feeling at home in the studio.

You’ve had multiple deal opportunities, including with Sony. What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned about navigating the business side of music?

Well, like an older cousin of mine,Yemela, mentioned, "go with your heart." She was the link to my first deal opportunity. If something doesn't feel right, go with your gut. Yes, I've had multiple opportunities and Sony reached out to me via songs I put up on SoundCloud. I didn't even seek them out. Yet, I did think of them. I think that's the best advice I could give is, "go with your heart."

Perseverance is a major theme in your journey. How have you pushed past the naysayers and negativity over the years?

Well, yeah, when aiming for your goals there may be naysayers. For some reason I faced a lot of positive and negative people. I read a quote years ago in a book that stated, "perseverance produces results." It's true. It was true for me graduating from Cal State Long Beach and it's been true in my musical goals. There may be points you feel like quitting but if it's your true love you'll continue working towards your goals.

I love music. I started out making music with my brother, when [I was] younger. He teaches English in Japan. I'm in my element in music. It's what I do. I'm at it everyday out of love first, not just the money. That's my fuel. The love of the art, bonding with people through music, and working to always develop my sound. That's what has allowed me to push past naysayers and negativity. For some reason people have a negative view of music, as a profession.  I get it, it's difficult to make it. However, when it's meant to be, it'll be, and you'll naturally push past the negativity.

You’ve said you value authenticity above all in an emcee. Who are some artists (past or present) that you think embody that quality?

Great question!  I like a ton of artists. Signed and lesser known. As far as signed artists, I like Mos Def, Nas, Jay Z, Tupac, &  Common. Plus, Black Thought. I'm sure there are a ton of new artists I would like if I heard them. However, those are a few of the known emcees I believe to embody authenticity. Not in any particular order.

What’s your realest piece of advice for turning a dream into a career for young emcees trying to break into the industry today?

The realest advice I could give up-and- coming artists to turning a dream into a career in the music industry today is you can't always play it safe. When I worked for State Farm years ago my manager, Mr. Stokes said, "you have to get uncomfortable to get comfortable." I would say that's true for music,

too. You have to believe in your talent, work hard, and most importantly be original. You can't make it by being anyone else. "Just be yourself." (That's what my pops told me before he passed. He was a bright man. He had a law degree and worked in insurance.) It's the only way. So yeah, "be original, work at it daily, and don't play it safe." Reach out to labels.  You may be surprised that they like your music and want to sign you up.