We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shinuh L.T. Holt. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shinuh L.T. below.

Shinuh L.T. , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

When I was 16 years old, my parents would take my siblings and I to castings for acting roles. I always had a passion for the arts, whether it was acting in school plays, creating dances for block parties, putting on shows at family gatherings, modeling in school fashion shows, or designing clothing at home.

As a young adult, I always had a hustling and entrepreneurial spirit, something I picked up from my parents who ran a video store downtown. Working in retail, I observed people setting up and breaking down their tables daily, selling their own products. This inspired me to make my own money. I bought a heat transfer machine at a bargain price, purchased wholesale tees, printed my modeling pictures on them, and sold them. Sometimes officers would ask if I had a license to sell, which taught me there are levels to running a business.

This led me to get my first business license. My brother T.J., a.k.a ICry who always played Anthony Robbins audio tapes and brought home books like “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,” encouraged me to think bigger. With this mindset, I started my first business, Shinuh Dollz, where I managed a team and myself, selling clothing and posters., providing modeling services & wardrobe styling services.

I opened a bank account for my earnings, gained access to wholesale products at lower prices, and increased my profit margins. This allowed me to reinvest in my business and pay myself, solidifying my professional path in the creative and artistic world.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m ShiNuh, an innovative artist with a diverse portfolio that spans fashion, music, and art. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. I rebranded myself as a vocalist and entertainer, using all my talents to craft a unique artistic identity. With a s*xy, sultry voice and a jazz and blues edge, I’ve developed a distinct sound that complements my style.

I released my album titled “Don’t Blame The Bartender,” which has headlined shows in NYC and secured residencies overseas in Thailand and Sri Lanka. As a Brooklyn-based bartender, I’ve built a brand and music around my experiences with love, s*x, and booze. Recently, I’ve expanded my creative ventures by painting clothing and bags, and launched a clothing line also called “Don’t Blame The Bartender” that caters to bartenders and bar-goers’ fashion needs & more.

I’ve merged my services as a bartender with my brand, my music, the arts,, cocktails (Sagria Sage), and travel.

Becoming a fashion stylist took me to another level; I was hired by the Gifted Agency, founded by two young Black women, Eki and Osa. I received my first big check for my services as a fashion stylist, and my work was published.

As a vocalist, my first major opportunity came with a three-month stint in Thailand

. Throughout my artistic journey, I’ve been grateful for the support I’ve received, regardless of the career path I pursued.

I believe in being prepared for opportunities but also in creating my own. This proactive approach has opened up more opportunities and sparked new ideas.

What sets me apart is my commitment to originality and creating unique, one-of-a-kind fun art. I aim to provide an experience filled with good vibes through my clothing, art, music, & travel, which are designed to spark conversation and tell a story.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the freedom of expression. It’s incredibly liberating to explore and express myself creatively. When I’m in my zone, it feels therapeutic and takes the weight of the world away. It reminds me that my power and strength come from within—a gift from God that no one can take away. Simply by being myself, I can create, encourage, and inspire others. Our creative gifts have healing powers, and that’s truly fulfilling.

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

One pivotal moment in my journey was when I was bartending at Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar. The late iconic Nick Ashford started a night called Nuttin’ but The Blues. At that time, I wasn’t pursuing music at all—my sister , best friend, and my mom were the known singers in the family. However, I felt inspired to write a blues song called “I Got the Blues Baby,” which I performed one night. Shortly after, the guitarist in the band, Johnny Turco, approached me with a song he wrote called “Marry U” and asked me to record it.
Thee Legendary Valerie Simpson also gave me the opportunity to headline my own show for a month.

That experience ignited my passion for music. Performing Live & shooting my first music video for “Marry U,” I was encouraged to write my own stories. I loved hearing my voice live & recorded and seeing the audience’s response when I performed. My favorite part was creating my own video treatment & looks for my shows. As a creative at heart, I enjoyed having control over the concepts, hair, wardrobe, locations, and characters. It allowed me to combine all my previous experiences in fashion & art with my music , everything coming full circle.

However, the journey wasn’t without challenges. I faced criticism about the type of music I should sing and how I should present myself. Rebranding myself as a vocalist was met with skepticism. I also encountered con artists who didn’t follow through with services I paid for or failed to pay me for my talent. Despite these setbacks, I once accepted an opportunity of a lifetime to relocate to a country I’d never been to, for three months, completely on my own. This required immense resilience.

Through all these experiences, I learned the importance of being prepared for opportunities and creating my own when necessary. My resilience is reflected in my ability to adapt, innovate, secure deposits, clear contracts, and persist despite obstacles. This journey has been incredibly rewarding, reminding me of the power and strength that come from within, the importance of inspiring and encouraging others through my creative work, and the presence of God by my side with a great support of my friends, family, & customers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.dontblamethebartender.com
• Instagram: @madeindhinuh @dontblamethebartender @theartofshinuh
• Facebook: Shinuh Holt
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@shinuhdollzprod?si=El8O43_WuyPz6-_T
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/MVjkidTxf6kLVarR9
• Other: https://dontblamethebartender.bandcamp.com/album/dont-blame-the-bartender

Image Credits

Todd Jones , Felipe Saba, Barron Claiborne