Shawn Sykes, (December 9, 1991) better known by his stage name Shawn Thoughts, is an unsigned American rapper from Emporia, Va. It’s easy to detect these artists and rap legends that have influenced the young MC like Bigga, Tupac, Nas, OutKast and Wu-Tang Clan in Thought's own music which masterfully resurrects the rich heritage of hip-hop in the 1990’s. “I’m reintroducing a type of sound from the Virginia that a lot of the newer generation doesn't know about and reminding the older generation of what VA hip-hop used to sound like,” explains Thoughts, “I was influenced by the two coast as far as New York, Virginia, and Atlanta so I was really trying to put all those sounds that I grew up listening to together to make a sound for myself.” Shawn Thoughts grew in a rough neighbor which ultimately helped influence thoughts music. The morals of his grandfather and grandmother help build his wisdom, which is rare to see in young artist of today. He always loved poetry but did begin to write lyrics till his later years of life.