Shrub

Shrub is an American reggae, rock, and rap group from Columbus, Ohio, formed in 2010 by Jay "Shrub" Shawberry, a software developer and music enthusiast. The band’s name comes from a nickname of Shawberry’s older brother, rather than marijuana as some fans assume. Shawberry teamed up with guitarist Blaine Dillinger and self-produced their debut six-song EP, Señorita, released in February 2010. Featuring artwork by Opie Ortiz and a guest appearance from DJ Rasta Root, the EP achieved chart success on Amazon Reggae and CDBaby, and the band was voted High Times magazine’s Unsigned Band of the Month in September 2010. After several lineup changes, Shrub expanded with bassist Benny Coleman and guitarist Kevin Oliver, releasing their first full-length album Highceratops in 2013. The album included guest performances from artists such as C-Money of Slightly Stoopid, Dubmatix, and Kimberly Freeman, debuting at #5 on the iTunes Reggae Charts. Following the album, the band toured extensively across the United States, performing at major festivals like SXSW in 2013 and Reggae In The Hills in 2014, and sharing stages with acts such as Rebelution, The Dirty Heads, Collie Buddz, and Yellowman. After a hiatus, Shrub returned in 2020 with their second studio album, Back To Earth, featuring contributions from Blaine Dillinger’s HIRIE bandmates and guest artists like Jaime Shadowlight and Mike DeGuzman. The album’s single "Shrub Love" pays homage to their reggae influences, while the record showcases their signature fusion of reggae, hip hop, rock, and pop. Known for creating their own distinctive sound, Shrub continues to deliver music that combines diverse genres while maintaining a message of positivity and community, reflecting Shawberry’s original intent “to change the world” through music.