Shahana – Through the Fire

By starrymag | May 19, 2020

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) My sound is soulful, soft and angelic

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) Beyoncé mixed with Mary J. Blige

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Through the Fire.”

A) “Through the Fire” is a metaphor about overcoming the challenges in life. The trials in life make you a stronger person and shows you that you can overcome anything that test you. In the song I am speaking about myself becoming a better person and overcoming the difficulties that I have faced within the entertainment business and as well in my personal life.

I did not allow the no’s to stop me, the lies, the rumors or the negativity to hold me back. When I fell from the failures and was disappointed and was discouraged, I found more willpower inside of me to help me push myself back up and try again and that’s when I wrote the song.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) My “supporters” I call them. They are not my fans because I don’t want to be idolized. The only idol people should be a fan of is God. But back to the question, I believe that my supporters can connect with the fact that they can break through anything that they set their minds to in life. Failing or the no’s or rejections doesn’t mean it’s the end. it just means that it’s not the right time. God has another plan and it maybe even better then what you thought it could be and the setbacks could just be preparations for what is to come. So, always take the positive side of it and find a different way figure your way out through the maze of life.

 

Q) Why is female empowerment such an important social issue that is close to your heart?

A) A lot of young ladies do not have many good examples these days to shape them on how they ought to be in society. So, this is why there are issues brewing. Less doesn’t mean more and calling each other profanity words doesn’t make you cool. But uplifting each other up and making each other strong is the way to go. It’s important to me because I do not like how some young ladies carry themselves. you can be classy and sexy at the same time and intelligent. It doesn’t run out of style and uplifting another woman is not going to make you lesser or more then great.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics? 

A) When I write music, I listen to the beat and I allow the feeling that I hear in sound of the beat to give me a topic to write about. I then write about an experience that I went through from that feeling it gives me or I create a narrative around a personal experience of someone that I know about that has been through something. I try my best to be relatable in my songs. I do not always need a beat. I can make a melody from my own thoughts and put it together.

 

Q) This track was produced by DJ Shaw, but how much of hand do you have in the production of your music? 

A) The track from DJ Shaw was a lease beat for “Through the Fire.” I basically came up with the lyrics and melody, but he made the track. I only changed some of the arrangements in the sequence of the beat from the original beat so that it can correspond better and flow well with the song itself.

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming soon?

A) There will be an EP called The Evolution, but I have not yet released a date for it yet. It is basically about the growth of me as a woman and not settling for less then I deserve.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Shahana performance?

A) A very soulful and powerful set with sassy and a bit of a divaness.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) There’s no specific place I like to perform, but I know I do like to perform at a show that I  am well prepared for and in my performance I love to make sure I can hear myself well and have all my backings in place so I can feel comfortable to execute a great performance.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) This is a tough one. I would like to collaborate with many, but the very first person would be Mary J. Bilge and then Beyoncé

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

A) I honestly listen to everyone that I feel in my books who are good. I love great R&B music with soul like Jill Scott, Beyoncé and Mary J. Blige. I love her tone and Usher. I love real R&B and real singers that sing soul. I also enjoy afro beats musicians like Romti and Wiz Kid Davido. That cultural music. I like to listen to rap like Megan the Stallion and 50 cent, Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole – like real artists that are super talented to the core that have an old school and new school feeling.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) Its’s important to connect with your supporters because you never know who you are inspiring or helping. I had a supporter of mine tell me thank you so much for writing a song that I wrote “Follow Your Dreams” because I gave them hope to go after their dreams. So, that was touching and it made me happy, like I’m actually doing something right by helping someone get through issues in their lives and motivating them. There is no better feeling them helping someone.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) I just want to say thank you sincerely this means the world to me and I send many blessings and love your way for being my supporter.