Mix together a fearless spirit, a creative mind, a love for storytelling, and a deep connection to her roots, and you get Shawndrell. Hailing from a world where pop meets soul, the singer-songwriter has been crafting her own path since her debut album Dream of Shawndrell in 2013. With her unique ability to blend emotion-driven lyrics and infectious melodies, she’s captivated listeners and built a loyal fan base worldwide.
But Shawndrell isn’t just following trends—she’s setting them. Now, with her third album, Imagination, she takes a bold leap forward, merging her love for pop and R&B into a sound that’s distinctly hers. Raised on the soulful sounds of Aretha Franklin and the rebellious energy of P!nk, Shawndrell’s music embodies the playful charm and emotional depth that have become her signature. Her latest project features standout tracks like “Lost the Magic” and “Nothin Without You,” each one showcasing her growth and fearless artistic evolution.
Shawndrell’s journey through the music world has been one of constant reinvention, and Imagination is the next step in her ever-evolving story. At the heart of her music is a desire to connect deeply with her listeners, offering them a piece of her own experiences while inviting them to imagine their own.
How did your upbringing in Birmingham, Alabama shape your identity and perspective as an artist?
Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, had a profound impact on my music and artistry. The state of Alabama is rich in musical culture and diverse influences such as Louise “Candy” Davis, Dorothy Love Coates, Inez Andrews, Lionel Richie, Percy Sledge, Wilson Pickett, and Nat King Cole. I grew up listening to the likes of these legendary artists, Motown as well. There was always gospel and blues playing around the house because my mother, father, grandmother, and grandfather were all music fans, and my uncle was a popular DJ for a variety radio station. Plus, my grandmother sang with a gospel choir when she was young, so I had the best vocal teacher right at home. I also sang in my school and church choirs. As far as my perspective as an artist, I see the musical world without limitations, and this is because of my musical experiences growing up, which have shaped my identity in a way that I can sing and write a variety of music in almost any genre.
Can you share a defining moment in your life that influenced your music or artistic direction?
When I heard P!nk’s story of starting her career as a traditional R&B/Pop artist but quickly defying the forces surrounding her to push the needle to the edge and becoming one of the most successful, influential, edgy Pop/Rock artists in the world. And I said to myself, I don’t want to be confined to singing music that doesn’t fully reflect who I am inside or is considered “safe” to most people who start out singing R&B. And I understand it being called safe because remaining there is where you’re less likely to lose your audience. For me, as an Indie artist, you really don’t want to do anything that will cause you to lose people who are following your work, but I also know as a creative that I don’t like the idea of being stuck in a box. So, I decided to go against the grain with my “Imagination” album to include more pop than R&B music this time. I chose to take the risk because, yeah, you may lose some, but you may get lucky and gain even more than you lose. I’m a daring one; even though it was a huge gamble, so far it’s been worth the risk.
Who would you say is your number one fan, and what has their support meant to you throughout your career?
My family and close friends, of course, but especially my mother. They all are my “Why?” especially her… but their support is what keeps me going; if I never make it big in the industry, it doesn’t matter at all, because I know they are all always so proud of me and happy to see me shine, even on the smallest scale. I do it for them, and my fans around the world that have never left my side over the years, they know exactly who they are too.
If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice regarding your career, what would it be?
Don’t stop running, pushing, or trying to make it! You don’t need any breaks, and being perfect is not important. What’s important is that you get up, get out, and get your vision going—your health is your wealth—and stop wasting your time on PEOPLE and things that don’t support or benefit your vision! That was more than one, but I think you get me… (laughs)
Do you have any rituals or routines that help you prepare for writing or performing?
My ritual is that I must be alone when I write music, and I need the room to be dim, cool, and quiet. Noise, bright lights, and humans are distracting to me (laughs), but seriously. And when I’m preparing to perform, I get extremely nervous for whatever reason; if someone near me laughs too loudly or asks me too many questions, it may worsen, or even annoy me. It’s strange behavior, I have to say so myself, but once I’m on stage, it all sort of dissipates. So, needless to say, I also like to have time alone before a performance, to meditate on my material, sip some tea, maybe have a shot of tequila to take the edge off—what can I say, I am “Jose’s Girl”… Haha.. I’m joking (kinda, laughs), but the nervous anxiety really depends on how well rehearsed I am… so I must practice tons before a show, and it doesn’t help that I’m a Virgo, the relentless perfectionist with overly obsessive thought processes and patterns. Hey, Oscar Levant once said, “There’s a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased that line”.
What do you want fans to know about Imagination?
I want my fans to know that this album was created for them to recognize their inner power, regardless of heartbreak or any other relationship issues. Also, this album is the one that was created with all my blood, sweat, and tears. I’ve had fans listening to my music since the beginning, and they’ve been waiting on the one project that would put my name in lights, so I want them all to know that yes, this is the one, and the time is now—so listen, share, and repeat! Pretty pleeease, and thanks! ;-D
You’ve mentioned that the album showcases a “distinctive pop crossover sound.” How do you define that sound?
My distinctive Pop Crossover sound blends elements of pop, R&B, and soul, creating a fresh yet relatable vibe. It’s all about merging catchy melodies with meaningful lyrics, drawing from various genres to create something unique that resonates with a wide audience. I wanted to captivate a newer audience, but I wanted to show my older listeners my versatility, again with hopes not to lose many, if any of them.
Can you share the story behind one of the standout tracks, “Lost the Magic”?
What does it mean to you? The story behind this song is how I once was so enthralled with someone that I didn’t even realize I was being used and taken for granted. But one day, I just woke up from being hypnotized by this person’s magic. I regained my power and my strength, which ultimately became a shock to them—that I was no longer under the influence of the toxic substance they called love. And I gloated, “Oh! You’ve lost your flame; you’ve lost the magic you once had over me.”
What was the most challenging aspect of creating Imagination?
The most challenging aspect of creating this album was making sure I maintained some sort of balance between R&B and Pop, ensuring the crossover, using my antics didn’t lose everyone. I realized that everyone isn’t going to love everything I do, but I wanted it to come as close as possible to the album, at least being something that resonated with the people who continue to support me, regardless of what I write, sing, or perform. So I had to find the right balance between vulnerability and authenticity in my lyrics while ensuring the music was still catchy and engaging. It was vital to create an album that felt true to me but also had the potential to connect with all listeners on a deeper level.
How did the inclusion of “Save Yourself” in Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It influence your career and your approach to songwriting?
Man, that was huge for me, it was one of the biggest achievements on my music journey, right ahead of me being accepted into the Recording Academy’s Atlanta Chapter as a voting member of the Grammy’s. I feel like God did that for me, through a good friend of mine, and I’m forever grateful to her obedience. Now, meeting the legendary Spike Lee was as epic as it was surreal. Sometimes I still have to pinch myself that he even knows who I am, and he’s a real fan of my music, and he treats me like a friend! I’ll always call him friend, he’s just the dopest, coolest guy ever. So, with all of that, I must say that having my song “Save Yourself” included in both season’s of Spike Lee’s “She’s Gotta Have It” on Netflix was a turning point for me. It opened doors and introduced my music to an international audience, where I was not prominent prior to that placement. That project alone taught me the importance of storytelling in music and inspired me to focus on creating songs that not only sound good but also carry a deep message people can relate to and feel inside. 11. Finally, can you share any upcoming projects or performances that fans can look forward to after Imagination? I have some exciting projects in the pipeline! I’m working on a series of live performances that will showcase “Imagination” in a unique way, blending visuals and music. Additionally, I’m creating visuals that will release in mid-October, and on Halloween. I am also looking forward to collaborating with other artists on new tracks and going on tour. I can’t wait to meet all my fans. Stay tuned!
Listen to Imagination here:
