Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Reed Shannon

Future EGOT Reed Shannon has big ambitions and even bigger talent. He burst onto the scene on the national tour of Motown: The Musical, an experience he says taught him how to push forward to deliver showstopping performances night after night. Since then, he’s become the voice of Cartoon Network and dropped his new EP, Soul Play. We caught up with him to learn more about his multifaceted career.

PC: You’re an actor, comedian, dancer, and musician. How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Reed: When I was younger, my middle sister took dance classes at the conservatories in North Carolina. I would sneak into the class because I wanted to see what was going on. Once I saw, I started trying to dance on the side, but I was just interrupting. [laughs] Dancing was the first one that I fell into. Then singing became my go-to, but I like doing them all.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Reed: Bruno Mars for sure. As of late, people like H.E.R. and SiR. They’re dope. Of course, Michael Jackson being a great entertainer. People like Jamie Foxx, Donald Glover in the comedy-acting world. They’ve done cool stuff that I’m able to look up to.

PC: You got your big break in Motown: The Musical, the national tour. What was the biggest lesson you learned from that experience that you’ve been able to apply to your career moving forward?
Reed: That tour was my first job. I was able to see what it meant to keep pushing and going. Touring is really hard, especially in a show like Motown. There are so many big numbers. We’re singing full out, and we’re trying not to lose our voices. After the show, I moved to Los Angeles, and I applied that learning. I knew that I wasn’t going to quit. I was going to keep pushing because the grass is green and I’ve seen it.

PC: You had a lot of success already in your young career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Reed: I feel like I’m in that moment right now with Cartoon Network. I used to watch Cartoon Network all the time. Now I’m the guy who announces the shows. That’s so cool and so unreal to me. When I turn on Cartoon Network now, I’m like, “Is that me?”

PC: Is it ever a challenge to manage all the different facets of your career?
Reed: For sure! I can prepare, watch, and learn as much during this process, but there are still times where I don’t feel I’m worth anything. But again, it’s about pushing forward and having that mentality. That’s been my biggest challenge: staying mentally right. This industry can break you down. My goal isn’t to do really well on one project. I want to make a lasting impact with my art.

PC: You recently released your debut EP Soul Play. Tell us about the collection and the inspiration behind it.
Reed: I was in a relationship. It was one of those early young puppy love relationships at the time. When we were writing it, it was the first time that I felt like I was expressing myself fully into something, because it’s different when you’re playing a character. Being able to go in the studio and work on something that’s coming from a real place inside of you is so cool.

That was my first experience in the studio recording, so it was even cooler because not only was I able to express myself, I was able to learn. Now I’m creating stuff in my room. While we were writing and recording, I was listening to a lot of H.E.R., Usher, and Justin Timberlake’s early solo projects. We listened to a lot of jazz like Snarky Puppy.

PC: As you look ahead in your career, what do you hope to accomplish?
Reed: I hope to knock out three of the four categories in the EGOT box in the next five years.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Reed: Outer Banks

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Reed: Uncut Gems. It’s not even a guilty pleasure. I love it.

PC: Favorite book?
Reed: Hindsight by Justin Timberlake

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Reed: In the Heights

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Reed: Imagine Dragons

PC: First album you bought?
Reed: Low Lane

PC: First concert you attended?
Reed: The Jonas Brothers

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Reed: Chasing Summer by SiR. Honestly, I’m still listening to it daily. I really connect with it.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Reed: Madison Square Garden

PC: A must-have on the road?
Reed: Pop Tarts

To keep up with Reed, follow him on Twitter and Instagram.

Photo Credit: Austin Goswick