Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alexandria “Shye Eaze” Harrell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Alexandria “Shye Eaze”, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I’ve always known that my life’s work was going to be involved with music. I have played in video shoots, scored an entire play, and performed at weddings. I thought all was fulfilled for my music career when I was given the opportunity to play with H.E.R in the Grammy’s and BET awards. After getting off stage, I knew this was it for me. But, something was still missing. It wasn’t until I was literally woke out of my sleep with this vision. . “Music & Mindfulness.” This was it. This was my life’s work.

Alexandria “Shye Eaze”, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Yes! I am Shye Eaze. Queen of the West Coast.

I was first introduced to the violin when I was in 4th grade. I remember lining up, and we got to choose which instrument. Once I held it, I knew that it was for me.

My Dad used to take me to a blue-grass violin teacher every Saturday morning. It was special for me, and watching his eyes light up every time I progressed made me want to keep practicing and play faster and faster. My violin teacher at the time had super long nails. . like. . crazy long. I loved watching her play and am still blown away with how amazing she was with her long a** nails. She was my hero.

I put the violin down during my high school years. I was battling depression, wanted to fit in, and being the Black girl who played violin wasn’t cool at the time. After high school I moved to ATL, and started a rap group with my roommates. This is where Shye Eaze began.

When I moved back to Cali 2 years later, my seester Raelina encouraged me to continue rapping even though the group separated. We’d go to work, drink a 40 of Mickey’s, and go to the studio. I released my first EP in 2011, and began performing. I absolutely loved the stage. The lights. The release of energy. Hearing people rap my verses with me. . it was one of the best times of my life. I thought performing was my purpose.

I performed at The Mint in Los Angeles, and was inspired to bring my violin on stage. I didn’t know how it would look playing violin and then picking up the Mic, but it worked out great. My next journey had begun.

My hubby, Julian, and I started an Open Mic with our entertainment collective, witEAZE Ent. We continued serving our community at Delicious Pizza hosting this event with the rest of group of powerful women. This event brought everyone together to perform & support one another’s creative paths.

After continuing to perform with my violin and raps, I was given the opportunity to play at the Grammy’s in 2019 with H.E.R. This was the moment I thought “Wow. I made it.” A few months later I was called back to perform with H.E.R again at the BET Awards, and the following year again for the Grammy’s. I am and will forever be grateful for these moments.

Even after my success, I still felt an empty space with my music career. By this time, I had our 2nd daughter, had curated my own Hair Show with my hair company, and was actively playing at various weddings & events in the Los Angeles area. I had battled postpartum depression after our first born, and had a minor wave of that again with our 2nd. This was when I slowed down and took a major look at my mental health, and knew I needed to do something about it. I started my spiritual journey, and this is where I fell in love with the art of Mindfulness.

One night, I literally woke up out of my sleep. “Music and Mindfulness.” I kept saying it over and over. I started writing my thoughts down, and became inspired to bring this to life.

Music & Mindfulness is an interactive workshop that was designed to inspire children to find their own creative paths and utilize ways of expressing themselves in a way that not only benefits them, but also those around them. It teaches them the beauty of mindfulness, full awareness of SELF, and the connection of mood to sound. Once our oldest daughter started school, I learned that music is a program that has slowly but surely made its exit from schools all throughout America. I can’t imagine where my life would be without having music in school. I knew that I had to do something about it.

Since beginning my first official session of M&M at STEM Prep Elementary last December, I have had the opportunity to work with preschools, elementary & Jr. High after school programs throughout the Los Angeles area. I have gifted & donated violins to children and their schools. I I have shared my story, and have truly found my purpose in life. I believe that our purpose is found when the work we do blesses others while healing ourselves. Our purpose is found when it doesn’t feel like work. When we have the knowledge, I believe it is our responsibility to share that knowledge and inspire the next generations to come. I am so grateful for Music & Mindfulness, and my mission is to bring this workshop to as many schools/organizations across America and to later expand across the World.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

The 2nd Grammy performance was the same day that my favorite basketball player, Kobe Bryant, died. I remember being in the Staples Center, hearing chatter around me. I really couldn’t believe my ears and didn’t believe it was true. I looked up, and watched as they lowered Kobe’s jersey in the arena. My heart dropped, and I can’t even really describe the amount of shock that ran through my body.

Kobe Bryant was someone who kept me grounded all my life. No matter where my life took me, no matter how my family moved, no matter the darkness around me, I knew I could turn on the Laker game and Kobe would be playing. I watched his journey and always admired his loyalty to his team (whether they were winning or losing), and most of all his resilience. He never allowed what was happening off the court to affect him on the court. He is the true definition of G.O.A.T.

All I wanted to do in that moment was be home and hold my man and our daughter.

That night, we performed “Sometimes.” When the lights came on, I knew that I was in that building at that time, performing that song, for a reason. I knew I had to show up and show out, because despite what was going on around me and despite the hurt in my heart, I knew that I had made a commitment to perform. I knew that Kobe had done this time and time again, in the very same space I was in. I knew that my family and friends were watching me on TV that night, This was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I had to give my all.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

GIVING BACK. I cannot say this enough. Every time I leave a Music & Mindfulness session, I am so fulfilled. My eyes are either watering with tears of joy, or I can’t stop smiling. Knowing that I have even the slightest impact on our next generation is more than I could ever ask for. Teaching the children of my community the importance of prioritizing their mental health at a young age, and watching their eyes light up with inspiration is beyond a joy and a blessing. I have truly found my life’s work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shyeeaze.com/music-mindfulness
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shye__eaze/

Image Credits
Brittney Jones