What do a rapper and an engineer have in common? | Shelem | TEDxMarshallU

With his engaging stage presence and storytelling acuity, Shelem entertains as he debunks the right brain/left brain myth by describing how his innovative and creative processes as a civil engineer and as a hip-hop artist are similar and are both connected to his love of puzzles. He details the process of problem solving for one of his engineering jobs and then describes the similar process of writing lyrics for his popular hip-hop song “Suga Wata.” As he breaks down his creative process, he also sings the song for the audience.
Beckley, WV native Shelem is a 25-year-old hip-hop artist known for his hands-on approach to engaging his audience. Born Isaac Shelem Fadiga in Silver Spring, MD to parents from the Ivory Coast in West Africa, he began producing, writing, and recording his own songs at age 14. He attended Marshall University in Huntington, WV to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering. Upon graduating in 2018, he moved to Charleston, WV to begin his engineering career. With innovative flair, Shelem has a knack for bringing his art to life. He has connected with fans as the “Delivery Man,” wrote a song using their words, and held an online game of bingo. His primary focus has always been to bring levity into the lives of people in as many ways as possible. With the success of his 2021 summer single “Suga Wata,” Shelem has continued to expand his reach with a featured article on NPR Music’s Slingshot Series, an unforgettable video release, and performances throughout West Virginia and beyond. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@ceedubelu]

Skilled Engineers 🤝 Skilled Rappers Understanding how to use various mundane pieces economically and inventively when creating somethingfor the masses.

[@abdulsharif6541]

A love for puzzles and "Solving Problems" Indeed I love this TED Presentation

[@sandesh01]

Actually there's a person in Nepal who is both an engineer and a rapper currently aiming for Mayor of capital. - Balen 🇳🇵

[@Shelem304]

Nice.

[@christopherjared3624]

i love Ted talks for the passion ppl show.

[@Shelem304]

Glad you enjoyed mine!

[@natecesco]

I want Shelem to redesign the entire water system in my town, then maybe I could be drinking Suga Wata everyday.

[@Shelem304]

Tell them to call me!!

[@Michelle-dq3tq]

This is awesome. Great Ted Talk

[@eltonakisseh6646]

Genius.

[@Shelem304]

Thank you!

[@constantinoschristoudias1099]

Brilliant!

[@divineluv999]

Shelem...I luv your CREATIVE process...keep it going. Do what you do. Looks like you're doing what's in your 💚. That's what's up! 💚💚💚♻️🌞

[@Shelem304]

Thank you so much!

[@f00kiebookie]

Absolutely amazing. Love Shelem and everything he does!!! Such an inspiration to me and so many West Virginians and everyone tbh

[@Shelem304]

Love you too!

[@swanKFu_]

As someone who deals with being in both worlds also (CS Major) appreciate seeing you excel in both worlds ‼️🤟🏾

[@Shelem304]

Excel… I c what u did there 😏 haha

[@swanKFu_]

@@Shelem304 😂😏

[@rontron5540]

This is phenomenal ❣️

[@kimbyrd2298]

Outstanding, creative ingenious. Thank you.

[@Shelem304]

Thank you for the kind words!!

[@rafaelbarker1]

Fantastic work, my friend! Happy to see this in the world. Rap Artists are some of the most creative and brilliant minds in the industry and it's nice to see you showing people HOW.

[@Shelem304]

Well said, brother. Thank you!

[@devaughnjohnson8119]

Shelem is Brilliant !!!!!!! - What do a rapper and an engineer have in common? "A love for puzzles". This young man is going places!!!!!!!

[@Shelem304]

Appreciate it!

[@christopherguzman1046]

Thank you for showing this!

[@rsphotos93]

My mann!!!!

[@inheirator]

This is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Keep on doing your thing 💪🏾💯✊🏾

[@Shelem304]

Yessiiiiir

[@noahz6295]

watching shelem break down the way he engineers his songs is so awesome

[@tommycate3788]

Once again, my hero. Way to go Shelem!!

[@shahinamini7047]

Cool That is inspiring

[@Shelem304]

Missed my chance for first comment smh

[@Michelle-dq3tq]

Thank you for sharing this sir. The Best Ted Talk Ever. Executed with Excellence!

[@Shelem304]

@@Michelle-dq3tq thank you so much!

[@charleswilliams2547]

Your Style is like nothing I’ve ever heard though. I dig it. Even keel, treat recognition like skepticism. Shelem and Them are on the way up no doubt.

[@haydenhxc4]

🔥

[@TheAdamSmasherMultiverse]

🔥🔥🔥

[@monstalung]

extremely impressive and dope.

[@Shelem304]

Appreciate it!

[@ludovicagrimaldi166]

damn bruh so much admiration

[@Shelem304]

Thank you!

[@WeAreTheNewAgeHQ]

This was amazing

[@Shelem304]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@joelairdii4627]

I like this dude❤😊

[@TheNigerianStudentPodcast]

This is to show you can't focus on just one career path, you can grow your talent and study a course

[@dejaeviz]

Hello ! i work I.T. ! .... i taught Computer Science at a College for 5 years before heading into the Field myself. ..... i also have a home studio (modest), ... i play guitar, bass, a little keys and i have an electric drumset. I play in a band and i also record other genres at home for fun.

[@dejaeviz]

I.T. is a puzzle. solve a puzzle to get it working, solve the puzzle when its not. Music is a puzzle. Music theory and your ear tell you how those puzzle pieces fit together.

[@naimislam6165]

❤️

[@lilmoris99]

I have my diploma, not a degree But this is what I wanna be ❤

[@johnjames732]

engineer is a frame of mind not a degree

[@JoleAron]

Outstanding 👏👏👏

[@Shelem304]

Appreciate you my guy

[@MotivationDon]

It's always just me vs me. Look yourself in the mirror and be honest about your hustle. Worry less about what others are thinking, and improve yourself.

[@guineapirate132]

YES

[@troyallenart817]

💯🔥🔥🔥💯

[@Abell_lledA]

We’re caught up playing the impassioned protagonist in our Subjective Narrative of Self🎈

[@ZeniferJenZ]

Why does a rapper carry an umbrella Fo drizzle ☔

[@charlesnyagah7423]

Hi , it's been awhile since my last episode of cognitive dissonance. Am still trying to wrap my mind on the water redesign on the ridge.

[@motivationeyes2852]

*Everyone who reads this, we don't know each other and probably never will but I wish you all the best in life and all the luck in the world* 🗣️🗣️😊😊😊😊

[@vishwapriya-456]

why umbrella

[@rashidagh3530]

I guess its all complicated 😁

[@customers59]

😬

[@customers59]

😰 the cast Mrs

[@mdtajuddin364]

🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@foxmoulder7724]

Usually not an IQ

[@pauljamesmcauley6593]

From a non binary man I see the puzzle lol

[@ElSheepodoggo]

Absolute nothing. Engineers innovate, rappers degrade by tending to propagate negativity. Huge difference there, and no correlation.

[@free22]

Sure, and all country musicians are depressed and unoriginal. Sounds like it to me. Maybe rap is just not your thing.

[@devilinthedarkness4830]

Neither want to work for a living

[@thomasbramwell9592]

So what you gonna DO? live off other people? 😳

[@devilinthedarkness4830]

@@thomasbramwell9592 of course !

[@thomasbramwell9592]

I hope your mum kicks you out of your house and you live on the streets like a begger. You make me sick. I was working 90 hours a week when I was 18. I grew up in Foster care with no mum or no dad. I put myself thought college and paid for it myself.

[@UziMovie]

@@devilinthedarkness4830 teach me

[@thomasbramwell9592]

@@devilinthedarkness4830 Sorry brother, you'll find your way. Peace and good luck

[@mdtajuddin364]

😴😴😴😴

[@thomasbramwell9592]

👎👎👎👎👎

[@mdtajuddin364]

@@thomasbramwell9592 😏

[@sebastianiuga3020]

Hopefully nothing