Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanelle Mitchell.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been singing practically my entire life. I started in the church at a very young age. I continued throughout high school and college. I recorded my first song during my freshman year of college. I didn’t do anything with it (I was so shy!). Around that same time, I was singing BG vocals for a local artist which awakened my deep passion for singing, specifically reggae. 2012 my eldest brother transitioned and that shook my whole world, but It was the words he spoke to me prior to his passing that stuck with me and gave me the courage to put myself out there. 2014 I recorded and released my first project with a local engineer/DJ who I continued to work with for many years. The rest was history. I’ve worked/performed alongside some of the best in reggae. Fast forward to 2021 partnering with Tuffgong Worldwide as a distributor for my debut EP “I am Kazayah” to ‘22 touring with the amazing Ziggy Marley as an opener for a 9 date 8 states run. I’m still learning, growing, and moving forward on this journey which has been far from easy, but it’s said “anything worth having is worth fighting for.”
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been the easiest road. I’ve put in a lot of work over the years and for me personally, I’ve sacrificed a lot to pursue my calling. Choosing a different path than peers/family/friends have taken and due to it not being the most secure or linear path to success support wasn’t always a thing I could count on.
It definitely is a road that is unpredictable, but you have to learn (or it will teach you) to be flexible (ebbs and flows) and be prepared in order to do your best which will give you a better chance at getting where you’re trying to go. The business side of things is a whole other subject. A trustworthy and efficient team who believes in you wholeheartedly is imperative.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk-taking.
Risks are necessary, but it’s important to decipher what kind of risk are you making. Is it a calculated risk? Is it an intuition based risk, or it is a risk driven by a desired end result without much thought or meditation? It’s imperative to know what you’re willing to lose and what is not worth it. I do see myself as a risk-taker. I’m definitely one who thinks deeply, but I also rely on my intuition using discernment. Some things are not worth the risk and have no need for deep thought. I’m not willing to compromise when it comes to my peace, keeping my soul pure, happy and living in truth.
Contact Info:
- Website: Iamkazayah.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/iamkazayah
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/iamkazayah
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamkazayah
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@IAmKazayah
- SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/ZeR2P
