We recently connected with Shann and have shared our conversation below.

Shann, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I’ve had dreams and visions of becoming an artist since I was a little girl. My mother was a singer, so I guess you could say the ambition was passed down. I remember watching Janet Jackson and Sade music videos and performances when I was younger and I think the moment that I realized that I could touch/inspire so many people by sharing my gift to the world was when I knew in my heart this is exactly what I wanted to do when I grew up.
I remember always telling myself that I would be big one day, and now that I’m officially on that journey, it feels amazing and surreal at the same time. It feels like I’m constantly making that same little girl proud.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I go by the name of Shann, and im an upcoming African American-Filipino singer/songwriter. I come from the amazing state of Virginia. We’re known to breed some of the the greats in music like Pharell, Missy Elliot, Teddy Riley, Timbaland, Pusha T, and so many more. I’ve been around music my entire life, and I’ve taken all of my inspirations around me to curate my own unique sound and carve my own lane in today’s RNB world.

As a growing creative, there have been times where I have walked away from music because I felt as if I wasn’t good enough, or prepared enough. However, every time that I’ve walked away, I was called right back. Those signs were enough for me to know that I was destined to be on this path. Through the ups and downs, Ive learned the importance of discipline, discernment, and the strength of being your own number one fan. As I grow, I hope to teach the importance of the arts to the youth and the world while inspiring everyone to explore their creative talents fearlessly.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn aiming for perfection. Sometimes, we as people feel like we need to live up to a standard that we, or others, set for ourselves. That can do more harm than help as an artist because in reality, nothing is perfect. If you keep reaching for perfection, you will never be satisfied. Some of the best work comes from the most imperfect starts or finishes and the minute that I embraced that was the minute I started to find my true identity in the artist world.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect for me is the ability to reach and connect with so many people in the world. There are people in the UK, Brazil, Japan, even Greece that are streaming songs that I’ve written in my backyard and I think that’s such a beautiful thing. I wish I could meet everyone that’s supported my art or sent their love to me. Hopefully one day!

Contact Info:

• Website: shannofficial.com
• Instagram: @shannoffical
• Twitter: @shannofficial_
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@shannofficial_