Shocka: "My Story of Becoming a High-Functioning Artist Living with Schizophrenia”
A vulnerable journey through the highs of quick success, the struggles of growing up in Tottenham, being sectioned, living with schizophrenia, and becoming a beacon of hope for those navigating their own mental health battles
Kenneth Erhahon, better known as Shocka, grew up in Tottenham
An area with a rich but challenging history, shaped by both cultural richness and racial tensions. "There were two riots in my area," he recalls. "The last one was in 2012 when Mark Duggan got shot by the police, and the riot before that was 1986. So my area and the police don’t get along"(shocka transcipt). These experiences in Tottenham, marked by the constant presence of police, shaped Shocka’s perception of the world and his early years as a young Black man.
One of the most pivotal moments in Shocka’s youth occurs when a bullet is fired into the car he is in with friends.
The bullet hits his friend but doesn't penetrate his skin. "I remember going home that day, saying a prayer. Thank God nothing happened," he shares. His mother, aware that he is heading down a dangerous path, makes the difficult decision to send him to Nigeria. At first, the move feels like a punishment, but he soon realizes it was life-saving.
In Nigeria, Shocka spends two transformative years in a strict academic environment that helps him develop discipline. Reflecting on the experience, he explains that in Nigeria, you have to be smart to gain respect, especially when it comes to impressing women. His focus on academics gives him an edge when he returns to the UK, where his strong grades from Nigeria allow him to gain admission to top schools.
Upon returning, Shocka realizes that one of his childhood friends has become a superstar, which ignites his passion to take his own music career seriously
He soon forms the group Marvell with two friends, and the trio enjoys rapid success, debuting a hit single and going on tour with artists like Skepta, Chipmunk, and Diversity. The group is young and famous, living the glamorous life that comes with being on tour—free clothes, sponsorships, and adoring fans. "It’s just a beautiful time," Shocka recalls. However, the pressure to deliver another hit single looms large, and when their next release fails to chart, they are dropped from their record label.
This sudden downfall sends Shocka into a spiral of depression.
During this dark time, Shocka immerses himself in esoteric knowledge, spending hours locked away and educating himself. However, his ideas are not well-received by friends, which triggers his first mental breakdown. "I went to my mum... She called a pastor to pray for me, but I know it is beyond that. I needed professional help," he admits. This marks the beginning of his battle with mental health, leading to him being sectioned for the first time and later diagnosed with schizophrenia. "The first time I was diagnosed with manic depression. The second time, they said it was schizophrenia because I was hearing voices and having delusions.”
Shocka's journey takes another turn when his mother passes away
A devastating blow that he describes as the most painful experience of his life. "It was so painful that I feel like nothing can ever hurt me more than that," he shares. Yet, through the pain, Shocka finds strength. His mother always told him that success might not come through music, but through something else, a message he didn’t want to hear at the time. After her death, he realizes she was right. Shocka’s career begins to take off, not through music, but through public speaking and sharing his story of mental health, fast success, and overcoming adversity. "I started doing activism and telling my story, and everything just happened so quick," he reflects.
Now, Shocka is a leading voice in mental health advocacy, particularly for young Black men and those with mental health conditions.
As a public speaker, author, and artist, he becomes a beacon of hope for many, showing that it is possible to live a fulfilling, creative life while managing schizophrenia. He sees his mental health struggles as a purpose to help others. "When I started sharing my story, I’d get DMs from people who said, 'That happened to me too, but I was too ashamed to talk about it,'" he explains. Shocka believes it is part of his mission to use his natural gifts to tell the untold stories of those who have been sectioned and were too afraid to speak out. "I’m like their mouthpiece... I get to share their stories for them," he says.
For an even deeper look into Shocka's incredible life story
you can read his book, A Section of My Life, where he shares his raw experiences. Each chapter is interlaced with poems he wrote while in the hospital, and alongside them, he has included thought-provoking questions to help you reflect on your own mental health and purpose in life. The book also provides space for you to journal your thoughts and answers, making it a personal journey of healing and self-discovery.
Get your copy on Amazon: A Section of My Life.
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