10%

Behind the Stripes

Kodie Shane

By Atlanta United FC

October 23^rd, 2020

Unbelievable.

That’s how rapper Kodie Shane described her first Atlanta United match. The culture of Atlanta represented at the match spoke to the young musician who uses the city as inspiration for her music.

“I feel like Atlanta has inspired me not only with my music but just in general. The people out here are great and as a community, all the artists try and come together,” Shane explained. “I feel like in Atlanta, we’re somewhat all for one and one for all. It’s a big inspiration for my music and me as a person.”

Shane was born in Atlanta and grew up in Chicago, surrounded by family who are also in the music industry. The support she felt from her family gave her the confidence to come out publicly about her sexuality, and knowing she was accepted by the people who mattered most was the most important thing.

“I would say I never really ever felt like I was hiding from who I was. My parents have never tried to stop that or stifle that or make me feel bad for being who I am,” Shane continued. “I never felt like being myself was wrong because I was always accepted by my family. When I came out, it didn’t really matter what anybody else said as long as my family accepted me.”

The support she received from her family gave her the confidence to open herself up in her music and to find her tribe in Atlanta. The connection she has built with the LGBTQ+ community has helped inspire her music as well. Realizing there are people listening to her music and are relating to it has given her a new perspective as she writes and performs.

“I would say that it helps me be my best self and helps me put out better art and be more comfortable in what I’m doing,” Shane acknowledged. “Now that I know that there are people who relate to it and accept it. I don’t have to hold anything back because I know.”

Her connection to the Atlanta Pride community has given her another outlet for her music. Shane has performed at multiple pride fests which helped her feel welcomed and accepted. Coming of age in the public eye, Shane knows how important it is to have a sense of community. She also remembers the lessons her father taught her over the years.

“One thing my dad has always told me is to stay humble and sweet. The humble person can get way further than the mean person, or the person who’s hard to work with, or who’s always complaining,” Shane reminisced with a smile. “The humble person who’s quiet and does what everyone asks them to do and does their job can go way further, whether the mean person has more talent or not. Being humble and sweet will get you far, and that’s one thing that always rings in my head.”

That humility and confidence shines through in her music, and in every interaction the musician has with her fans. As she grows up and discovers new parts of herself, she knows Atlanta and her family will be there for her.

“Atlanta means everything to me. I think it’s kind of crazy that we’re at Cascade right now because ATL was shot here which is one of my favorite movies. It’s a part of the culture,” Shane claimed. “So I think we picked a great spot to shoot. Atlanta is just like the culture; Atlanta is everything, like the down-to-earth LA. I love Atlanta. The music is here, the culture is here, the vibe is here.”

Kodie Shane can’t separate her music from the city of Atlanta, and there’s no other way she would want it to be. The city’s culture has helped shape her into who she is, and the vibe Atlanta offers continues to influence her music.

Tomorrow, with fans in attendance for the first time since March, Shane will experience the unbelievable matchday vibes of Atlanta United once again as she hammers in the Golden Spike at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Button Label

Story Told With

Start publishing stories like this