Shawn was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and at a very young age, he and his mother moved to Florida, before they were headed to New Jersey. He has a double major in Journalism, and Media Studies and a double minor in Social Justice and Philosophy.
While receiving his degree, music still played an essential role in his life. Shawn performed at open mics and also did spoken word at the on-campus Verbal Mayhem organization on Wednesday nights. After undergrad, he went straight to graduate school at NYU.
Shawn mentions how music has kept him going and has kept him grounded as he deals with health issues and regular life. He is constantly working on being a better singer and artist overall!
Shawn introduces us to "JukeBox Love" with some breathtaking production and dazzling vocals. He mentions that his mind is like a JukeBox - with so many thoughts, memories, and aspirations, he sometimes feels like it's all happening out loud, hence the lyrics "Please pardon my jukebox brain." He sings with feel-good energy and has a unique cadence and an added r&b aura.
Shawn compliments this production so effortlessly with his bold vocals, and it's the perfect catchy chorus that has us lost in time. He talks about how he would like to make amends with someone he's lost touch with and hopes to make amends. He talks more about this person and their relationship as he says, "Never thought that you'd give me a 2nd chance" and "But your hand in mine damn it fits like a glove."
As we come to an end of this epic record, "JukeBox Love" ends like a classic r&b record definitely should. With the soft pianos and steady snapping, he ends off with the infamous line "Thanks for pardoning my jukebox," and he knows it will definitely be playing on loop in our head.
"Jukebox Love" is an amazing record! What message would you like people to take away from the song?
Thank you for saying that "JukeBox Love" is an amazing record. I wrote this song like all of my songs, straight from the heart. The woman of my dreams, my Fiance Ashley Jackson, was a big inspiration for this track. Basically, we have been together just about three years on and off, and it was mainly because we both had individual growth to do. I know she is my twin flame and my "JukeBox LovE" is about the time I stepped out on our relationship. By stepping out, I don't mean physically cheating, but I was emotionally cheating by connecting with these other females. That's where the line "a different rhythm for every girl I meet" comes from. However, flash forward to now, and although we have our ups and downs, I know Ashley is the love of my life and my future wife. Hence why I say in the song that I will be paying her back in PERPETUITY. I owe her because I lost my voice when I transitioned from Female to Male, and she helped me find my voice no my SOUL again. Also, she is a singer as well, but she only sings for me, but who knows? I hope to get her in the booth for a duet one day when the world is ready for us to combine forces. Honestly, though, she is amazing with words, and she has helped me bounce ideas off of her countless times and has even helped me write some lyrics. Okay, that's enough of me gushing about her. Nah, who am I kidding? I love her with all of my heart, and then some I dedicate "JukeBox LovE" to my LOVE, Ashley Jackson.
What skills have you learned that help you in your singing and creating of music?
Honestly, I am self-taught, and I play multiple instruments. These instruments include the guitar, drums, and a little bit of piano. I have also dabbled in the flute and the violin, but I mainly love beat making. I have a lot of equipment that helps make me a better musician. This equipment ranges from different types of microphones as well as my Akai mpk mini and my loop pedal. Basically, if there is a sound to be created, then I'm going to find it, create it, amplify it, and then remix it times 1,000.
What would you do differently if you were to start over again from day one?
If I was to do anything differently, I would have gone straight into the music industry right out of high school. You see, my grandmother brought my mother and me to this country when my mom was 17 years old and I was only four months old. I was raised by both of them, two strong black Caribbean women. They instilled the importance of getting an education, so I made sure I was the first in my family to get a high school degree, and I graduated at the top of my class. I was even class president. Then I topped that by graduating first in my family with an undergraduate degree, a double major in Journalism and Media Studies with a double minor in Social Justice and Philosophy from Rutgers University. Then I followed that up by getting a Master's Degree in not 1,2 but 3 areas. I graduated from NYU at the top of my class with a Master's Degree in Media, Culture, and Communications. Also, I was the Valedictory Student Speaker, and you would think after all of this, I would feel fulfilled, but something was missing. It was the music, the music in me was always there, but it was time for it to shine. So if I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't change anything because the roads less traveled I have taken allowed me to make cultured and experienced music. The life I've lived makes me a more meaningful artist.
What's next for you?
I have a love-hate relationship with this "what's next for you" question. I honestly don't know, but I do know that I'm always in competition with myself. I'm just never satisfied. So what's next for me "Shawn" I honestly don't know, but I can tell you that whatever it is, it will be NEXT LEVEL! I don't know how to do it any other way.
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