Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Grossman.
Hi shawn, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Astray (Shawn Grossman)
Born and raised in the rough streets of Saginaw, Michigan, Astray—real name Shawn Grossman—found his passion for music as a means of expression and survival. He began rapping in the late 90s, using his craft to navigate the challenges of his hometown. His journey led him to Detroit, Michigan, where he spent over a decade sharpening his skills and leaving his mark on the local scene.
In 2015, Astray’s talent caught the attention of Eminem, leading to a signing with Shady Music Publishing in partnership with Universal Music Publishing as a singer, songwriter, and producer. While his versatility spans multiple roles, rapping remains his deepest passion.
Astray is also part of Alpha Howse, a record label and collective founded by Whitney Peyton. His breakthrough album, Made It Out Alive, released in the summer of 2024, landed multiple spots on the Billboard charts, marking a major turning point in his career. Since then, he has been relentlessly pushing forward, committed to growth and impact in the music industry.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I have been pretty fortunate in my career to have the acceptance of the Hip Hop culture. some Hurdles I’ve experienced include having to learn how to do everything yourself from a technical, artistic, and a business standpoint which is to this day still hard to navigate but somehow my efforts don’t go unnoticed and I have gotten some major opportunities from the hard work I have put in.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I do multiple things. First I am a rapper or better yet an Emcee. I am also a producer (Beat Maker) and a singer-songwriter. I own my own studio so I also play the role of an engineer for other musicians. and I am a photographer/cinematographer. I also do graphic design, mainly cover art and flyer art. I am proud of all of these thing and thankful to have been able to learn them and apply them to myself as an artist and use them as tools for business as well. I will however say although it is great to have so many tools, I look back and sometimes wonder if my career as a rapper would be further by now if I would have only focused on that lol. We’ll never know.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
To believe in myself and simply stick with it and keep at it. If you do that and you are also doing the correct things to grow as an artist and an individual, I truly believe that will unlock doors. God gave me this gift. What I do with it is my gift back.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/astray313
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealastray
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ASTRAY313
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@astray313
