Shelea
1
If you were to get a peek at this rising star’s resume you might assume she’s already a veteran when you learn; she was the voice behind the theme song to CW’s hit TV show “All of Us” or that she wrote and produced “It Ain’t Supposed To Be This Way” the first single off of Chante Moore’s latest CD “Love The Woman” or that she’s shared the stage with the legendary Stevie Wonder.
Shelea is no average artist as you can probably guess. She is poised to take the music industry by storm and some of the biggest names in music have already taken notice.
Despite all she’s accomplished, she’s extremely humble and doesn’t hesitate to proclaim that Jesus is the reason for everything she’s become and everything He has prepared for her. She’s just walking in God’s will for her life!
What’s your take on singing “secular” music?
I’ve been hearing it all my life. Keep singing for Jesus. If I put music to the Song of Solomon it would be a very graphic song that most Gospel artists would cringe at if they didn’t know it was taken from the book of the Bible. I totally understand what people are getting at, but to me it goes across the board. If you’re a banker, a professional skater, a pastor, a teacher or whatever career you choose, you have to give glory to God. And singing secular music, you can still have to give glory to God because God is in everything. What I find so interesting is that it’s only pertaining to music that people differentiate between secular and Gospel/Christian. No one calls a teacher “secular” if they teach in a public school as opposed to a private Christian school. For some reason it’s singers who are perceived as doing something evil. So when people ask me am I singing for Jesus, I say I’m living for Jesus. There are SOOO many Gospel artists I have met that do not represent anything about Jesus. They are so stank, mean spirited and it’s all a competition. Sometimes I feel it’s even worse in Gospel because they aren’t making any money, so it’s even more cut throat. You have to do what God has called you to do. I’ve had the opportunity to share my faith with so many people in the “secular” arena that I would have never reached in church or in my own safe environment.
You were in a girl group that came very close to getting a deal. What happened?
I was in a Gospel girl group called “Forgiven.” We were about to sign to Blackground Records, but things between the four of us weren’t meshing at the time. Looking back on that situation I realized we were really young and kind of going in different directions. Unfortunately sometimes it’s hard for 4 women to get along. You can look down through the history of girl groups and see that it can be a challenge. There are a lot of things personally that I would probably do differently. But being in the group gave me my first introduction to the industry and it just completely consumed me. My junior year in college, I told my mom I wanted to stop going to school and pursue music full time. She quickly told me, “No you’re not!” But the feeling was so intense at that point. When we broke up though, I really felt like I could do it by myself.
How does it feel to have worked with some of the biggest artists in the music industry?
I just know I’m walking in God’s purpose. I remember meeting Brian McKnight and being ecstatic that I was going to sign to his label. He told me I was the female version of him! He even wrote a couple of songs for me. That was an amazing time in my life. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out because he was dealing with some professional and personal issues at the time. But to know someone I applauded and looked up to felt I was good enough was just incredible.
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis are LEGENDARY producers! What was it like to be in the studio with them?
I was their session singer/songwriter! Going to work everyday with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis was life changing. I remember pinching myself in complete awe. I would see Terry write an amazing song in twenty minutes. I just tried to soak up every minute. My connection with Jam & Lewis afforded me to get my film credits; “Shark’s Tale,” “Hotel Rwanda,” “The Will Grace & Soundtrack” and “Akeelah and the Bee.”
How did you end up being featured on Take 6’s latest CD “The Standard”?
When I was 7, I remember listening to “He Never Sleeps” from their first album and being entranced by that song. I was so emotional at the music I was hearing. I would lock myself in my room and listen to it for hours! I remember thinking, if I ever get the chance to sing with Take 6, it would be a dream come true! So when I got the call from David Thomas I was in a state of shock. I felt like I didn’t have to record another thing, EVER! They are like my brothers, so to work with them was an awesome experience. The song I recorded “Someone to Watch Over Me” kind of became the first single too!
You performed with one of the biggest legends in music, Mr. Stevie Wonder. Was that like a dream?
I remind myself all the time of what God has already done for me thus far in my career. Things I would have never imagined. I may not have been able to put out my own project yet, but there are so many solidified artists that will never have the introduction that Stevie Wonder gave me at his show. That is nothing but God! Being on Take 6’s album was the catalyst that opened so many doors for me. He heard the song I did with them and said I have to meet her. I actually went to his studio!! There are no words to describe what I was feeling. It was almost like I was in a movie or something. I grew up in a family where I wasn’t allowed to listen to secular music, but whenever Stevie Wonder was on TV, the Frazier family was watching. I got a call from him not long after our initial meeting and he said I would love for you to perform with me at my benefit concert, “House Full of Toys.” I literally started screaming. My husband thought something was wrong with me because I don’t normally get like that. Two days before the actual show, I was so nervous I was shaking. I had never sung in front of an audience of thousands. The interesting thing is, is that when I hit the stage and sat next to him, I felt so calm it was like I was singing in my living room. I honestly felt like I was at home.
You also got the opportunity to sing in Washington, D.C. during the historical inauguration weekend for President Obama. How did that come about?
When I sang for Stevie Wonder’s House Full of Toys concert there was a lady in the audience, Stephanie Meyers, who was part of the inaugural committee. And the second song I performed was a song I had written called “I Believe.” My mom kept pressuring me to write a song and I was like nobody wants to hear a song like that from me. But after I voted, I was just so emotional and the lyrics just started pouring out. Before I knew it, I was performing at 3 inaugural events. President Obama wasn’t at any of them, but they were official events. Just to be in the midst of history is something I will never forget.
This industry is full of ups and downs. How do you keep a positive outlook?
It’s hard to be honest. I feel so bad for people that don’t have a relationship with God and know that if the door is meant to be open, He will open it. But, I can totally see how people can go into a deep depression, especially in this industry. You get so close and it’s so promising and everyone is saying you’re so amazing and then nothing happens. But for me personally, the filter I use is spiritual. I absolutely have to believe and do believe that God has me where He wants me to be. Around 2003, I can look back now and see that I probably was depressed. I was sleeping a lot and just going through the motions. But I didn’t know it back then. But, when you’re connected to God, He will give you that belief in faith that He has you right where He wants you. And at 29 I have that figured out now!
What artists have inspired you?
I grew up listening to Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Commissioned, The Hawkins, The Winans (all of them!) and Tramaine Hawkins. Vickie Winans’ first album “Be Encouraged” is still one of my favorites to this day. There are also 3 women that are just untouchable to me; Whitney Houston pre “Preacher’s Wife,” Barbara Streisand and Sandi Patty. Particularly, Whitney Houston because I don’t think there is any artist who understood phrasing, tones and melody as well as she did at her peek!
So what’s next for you?
My project is coming, which will be more jazz influenced. I would love to continue writing and producing for other artists also. Most people don’t know this, but I love country music. I would love to write for some country singers. If there was ever an artist I would love to be a female version of it would be Babyface. He crosses so many genres and boundaries. One of the best songs he’s ever written in my opinion is “Take a Bow” for Madonna, but then he turns around and does “Change the World” for Eric Clapton. He’s such a prolific artist.
SHELEA’S 10 RANDOM TRUTHS
- Favorite TV show? “Private Practice.”
- Favorite hymn? “There’s Room at the Cross.”
- Favorite male R&B singer? Usher.
- Favorite cereal? “Frosted flakes.”
- Favorite Beyonce song? “Crazy in Love.”
- Duet with any female artist? Shania Twain.
- Daryl Coley, Smokie Norful, Marvin Sapp or Fred Hammond? Fred Hammond.
- Morning or night person? Neither.
- Target or Wal-Mart? Target.
- Can you change a tire? I guess if I had to lol but I’d call AAA!
