Shaine Amir

Introduction and Welcome

Taryell: Welcome ladies and gentlemen to another episode of Rise Every Day. As always, we have a special guest in the building. You all might have seen this brother doing his poetry around town. We have my brother Shaine Amir with us, and he is going to drop some knowledge about what he has been working on. We are just going to have some real barbershop talk. Shaine, welcome to the show. For those people who haven't had the pleasure of meeting and working with you, tell us: who is Shaine Amir?

Shaine Amir: Thank you. Shaine Amir is a guy with a vision. Really, I'm just your average guy from Brooklyn. I'm a poet. I started writing and performing poetry in middle school, and from there I went on to do other things, but I like to look at myself as a creator.

How Shaine Got Started in Poetry

Taryell: Poetry represents the real truth-tellers and creators. How did you really get into poetry? Did somebody sign you up for a competition?

Shaine Amir: In eighth grade, all the boys in the back row started putting Orajel on our lips so that we couldn't speak, so our social studies teacher would never call on us. I ended up getting in trouble. Instead of sending me to detention, my social studies teacher, Ms. Nelson, signed me up for an open mic. It was actually a hip-hop competition, but I didn't rap. I was the only person up there not rapping. I performed for the first time in March 2010, and from there it took off.

Taryell: Shout out to Ms. Nelson for signing you up. Now it has turned into a passion and a career. What has that process been like, taking something from concept to reality and handling the business side of being a creative?

Undergrad Grind and Handmade Poetry Frames

Shaine Amir: Everybody's process is different. For me, it was a lot of long nights because I went full throttle on the business side while in college. Balancing undergrad classes was a lot. You really have to envision things before you create them. It felt like jumping without knowing if your parachute was going to open.

Taryell: Tell us about undergrad. What were you able to create during that time? Was it poetry, or did you build actual products around it?

Shaine Amir: Both. In undergrad, I started releasing poetry on Twitter. I had unique penmanship and a specific ink I used, and I would post photos of my poems. After that, I started selling handmade poetry frames. In my dorm room, I spray-painted frames in different styles and burned old parchment paper to give it an antique, historical look. I sold them door-to-door for forty dollars each. I was also working at the campus gym making maybe 280 dollars every two weeks, so selling frames helped fund my spring break trip to Miami while connecting me with people across campus.

Taryell: I love the concept of the poetry frames—using aged paper to evoke ancient text and nostalgia. How did that idea come to be?

Shaine Amir: I've always felt like an old soul who never quite blended in. I wanted to create something that stood out. When people buy something from me, I want them to feel like part of a distinct moment in time. Those original frames are unique collectibles that won't be made the same way again. It empowers people to become storytellers about that era of my journey.

50 Years of Hip-Hop and Cultural Influence

Taryell: Speaking of history and time, we are celebrating fifty years of hip-hop. Hip-hop and poetry share deep cultural roots. How has hip-hop and New York culture influenced your poetry?

Shaine Amir: It's timely you bring that up because my upcoming hip-hop poetry book directly reflects on this fifty-year milestone. Growing up, I experienced diverse sounds in music and media, like in the movie Brown Sugar. Much of today's music feels more violent and tends to glorify harsh environments rather than showing a way out. Back then, songs like Nas's I Can gave youth a positive vision. Today's climate pushes me to keep writing for young people who want something deeper and more uplifting.

Taryell: In our generation, hip-hop reflected neighborhood reality to educate and guide youth past those pitfalls. Today, there seems to be a disconnect where toxic lifestyles are promoted without balance or consciousness.

Shaine Amir: A lot of it is a facade. For instance, Future admitted in an interview that he doesn't even use hardcore drugs, yet he raps about them. Artists have massive influence over youth, functioning as the real cultural influencers. Coming from Brooklyn, I know many people who want positive alternatives. Our job is to show them another path.

Taryell: Do you see poets, YouTubers, and independent creators stepping up to counteract that negative messaging?

Shaine Amir: We need a lot more independent voices. Too many artists create simply to get a record deal rather than mastering their craft. Fame and excellence have become disconnected. People aspire to be celebrities or get blue checkmarks rather than becoming masters. The creators who are genuinely passionate about their craft, rather than just the fame, will eventually lead the way.

Taryell: It all ties back to dopamine and platform addiction. We must be mindful of what we feed our minds. Platforms like this exist to uplift, unite, and ignite positive aspirations in our community.

Patience, Fast Culture, and Maturation

Shaine Amir: You have to stick with a genuine message even when immediate engagement is low. When I posted deep poems online, I might only get a dozen likes initially. Meaningful work takes time to resonate, just like classic literature often gained recognition long after it was written.

Taryell: We live in a microwave generation where people lack patience. Think of slow-cooked Southern home meals—they taste amazing because of the love, care, seasoning, and time spent marinating.

Shaine Amir: Fast culture and instant gratification can become addictive. When I moved to North Carolina, I frequently rode my bike to Chick-fil-A because it was immediate satisfaction, but it lacks the substance of a home-cooked meal. Good art requires that same patience and maturation.

Amir's Instant Poetry and 2000s Nostalgia

Taryell: Speaking of good food and culture, let's dive into your upcoming book. What was the process behind creating it, and what do you hope readers take away?

Shaine Amir: My debut book is called Amir's Instant Poetry. I've been working on it for three years, compiling around 150 to 175 poems. It originally started as my 2000s BlackBerry poetry project. The book is designed to transport readers back to happier times. I adapted songs from artists like Bow Wow, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Ja Rule and Ashanti into poems, weaving in classic cartoons, movies, and childhood memories to create a unifying time capsule.

Taryell: That sense of nostalgia connects people deeply. Moments like this can turn into powerful cultural movements.

Shaine Amir: This project is deeply personal. I brought a competitive New York mindset to set a high standard for contemporary poetry. This first drop will be a limited first-edition release.

Early Career, Viral Writing, and Publishing Lessons

Taryell: Let's talk about your early career journey. What was your very first job?

Shaine Amir: In tenth grade, my first job was working as a summer youth camp counselor in Harlem. Later in college, after writing for five years, I was invited to a senior writers' workshop. Over the summer, we were tasked with writing a story. I posted it on Twitter, and it went viral overnight. Stephanie Snyder from the alumni association read it, reached out, and offered me an internship writing for the university magazine. That led to publishing my first book in 2018 and being named a notable alumnus author in 2019.

Taryell: What advice do you have for aspiring writers looking to take writing seriously as a career?

Shaine Amir: Enjoy your art while you're not yet a professional. Having full autonomy over what you write is invaluable. When I interned at a major publishing house, I saw how corporate demands can dictate deadlines and restrict creative freedom. Don't let others control your voice. Listen to perspectives, but trust your own instincts above all.

Advice for Aspiring Creatives and Closing Thoughts

Taryell: When corporate media programs content, it often strips away the artist's original intent. Sticking with your independent vision makes all the difference.

Shaine Amir: Exactly. You never know who your work is inspiring or helping. I've received letters from incarcerated individuals and messages from college athletes sharing how my poetry touched their lives. I also want to thank you, Taryell, for providing a platform that highlights positive voices.

Taryell: Thank you, brother. Where can everyone connect with you, find your projects, and support the book release?

Shaine Amir: You can follow me on Instagram @shanepaynepoppy and check out my website for upcoming releases. Amir's Instant Poetry drops as a special first-edition release, offering readers a window into my life and nostalgia.

Taryell: Be sure to check out the links in the bio, grab a copy of the book, and support Shaine Amir. Thank you all for tuning in to Rise Every Day.