INSTAFAMEUS: @ShodSantiago aka Rashaad Santiago

Real Name: Rashaad Santiago

No. of Followers: 168K +

Hometown: Maryland; resides in Atlanta

Goals: Radio Personality, Host and Brand Ambassador

Work: ShodSantiago@gmail.com; www.shodsantiago.com 

Social media rules the world. OK, we may be stretching it a bit. If you really think about big business and the impact it has on consumers, brands, and how society operates, then YES, social media does rule the world. However, social media networks also bring on a new set of rules when it comes to entertainment. Nowadays, we rely on social media for our daily news, gossip, comedy, and anything else that can be posted as an image or 15 second video. Oftentimes, it’s one individual who is behind the profile page that’s running a full-on entertainment operation, and not a TV network or top-tier news outlet. 

Who are these social media darlings that has conjured up a culture of its own?  Who does STACKS Magazine consider to be #INSTAFAMEUS? 

Well, we decided to surf the social playground of Instagram to find the best and brightest new crop of entertainers and/or entrepreneurs. Although, these individuals receive loads of attention from a swarm of social media fans, we wanted to take a moment to recognize them formally and dig a little deeper into lives.

Back in November 2014, STACKS Magazine’s Quinnie got the hilarious Shod Santiago on the line to find out what’s he’s been up to since his Instagram fame. One thing we learned was that there may possibly be a reality show in his future. But, of course, Shod’s not budging unless it’s the right one.

Is there anything that you want us to know about you that we don’ get to see on Instagram? What’s going on with you?

Shod: People don’t know that my parents split up a long time ago. So, most of childhood was split between NYC and Maryland. I have 11 siblings. I currently live in ATL. I have a radio show and I am best friends with Tammy [Rivera] from “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta”.

How long have you and Tammy been friends?

Shod: For about 6 years now, before Love and Hip Hop.

When did you blow up?

Shod: About 4 or 5 months ago, off of a video I posted saying the dumbest stuff ever. The next day I woke up and my followers went from like 5,000 to 10K. I don’t do skits. I just talk junk how I regularly talk. It’s nothing against people that do skits, because they’re funny. But, that’s not what I do. I never thought that this could happen to me.

What are you plans with your future?

Shod: I have met so many celebrities; this is like high school, you know how the popular people make friends with the other popular people. My T-shirt sells have gone up. I am using all of my resources to make money. I don’t want to have a regular 9-5. I have been offered reality shows, but I want it to be the right one.

I host parties like crazy. I am so humble and I don’t feel entitled to anything. To be able to walk into party and get paid just for showing up…and all because I’m just being myself.

Where did you get your catch phrase?

Shod: It came from my aunt. We were just having regular conversation about someone and she said, “No, He Knew!” And, I just took it form there.

What days is your radio show?

Shod: I am on BE100 Radio (Deb Abtney’s Internet Radio) Monday and Thursday from 8PM – 10PM. You can download the app, BE100, or go to the website to listen at www.be100radio.com.

And where can we find Shod?

Shod: www.Shodsantiago.com is where you can buy T-shirts and find out where I’m going to be. You can find me on IG @shodsantiago.
Special thanks to Shod for taking the time to interview with us. We will keep an eye out for that reality show!
Photo Credit: Shod’s Instagram