SHANN Reflects on Emotional Depth, Creative Growth, and the Journey Behind Her Latest Hit 'SHAKE'
“I am an empath. I feel everything deeply, and it has made me a better person. I love pouring into my family, friends, and all those who support me because life is not easy or meant to be gone through alone. This has allowed me to create some of my best music, including SHAKE. My music is for the lovers and those in tune with their emotions,” SHANN shares as she sits down with Finessed Media, ready to discuss her latest record, SHAKE
SHANN continues to emerge as one of the most captivating RnB artists at the moment. Her first release in 2024, “Daydreaming Again,” signalled her intentions for the rest of the year, aiming to make her fans dance.
Following the reception of “Daydreaming Again,” SHANN began to plan her next release. After weeks of cryptic messages on her Instagram, her fans, known as the Shannatic Nation, can finally hear SHANN’s second release of the year, titled “SHAKE.”
“SHAKE” is the second collaboration between SHANN and Atlanta-based producer SUNSENSEI. Through this collaborative effort, “SHAKE” is a vibrant blend of enjoyment and energetic instrumentation on which SHANN shines vocally.
As we continue our conversation around her latest release, SHANN shares her feelings on SHAKE now that it’s out to the public and acknowledges that there is room for growth with each release. “I feel good about it but understand there is room for growth. I’m learning a lot with this release but also living in the moment because every release will, and has, represented a different chapter in my story. Seeing Timbaland show love to SHAKE and having my song played at the Fenty opening in New York will forever be memorable. I’m excited about how bright things are going to get. SHAKE is an important record for me, and there’s so much planned to continue pushing it.”
The reception to SHAKE has been everything that SHANN wanted it to be. “Confidently, I can say yes. My team and I had a conversation pre-release about the potential of SHAKE and the expectations we have for it. I believe people are still discovering the song every day and know there are so many more places for this song to reach. The current reactions, as people are still learning about me, have made me beyond appreciative to be receiving the support I do.”
“Daydreaming Again” was always going to be a difficult record to follow up, considering the quality of the song and the direction it took SHANN’s artistry. However, SHANN knew that SHAKE was the perfect follow-up. “I knew I wanted to follow up Daydreaming Again with another single that would be just as impactful but also a little different in style. I want everyone to continue feeling something internally when they’re listening to my music. Right now is about me showing my versatility as a recording artist, and what better way to do that than with a song perfect for the times we’re in,” she adds.
Speaking on the creation of SHAKE was a special experience for SHANN. “SUNSENSEI sent me the beat, and immediately I knew it was going to be a hit. I knew I had to do some studying as well, though. I spent weeks after listening to a lot of Destiny’s Child, Janet Jackson, and more music that got the room moving. I was at the gym and revisited the beat on the stairmaster, and that’s where I came up with the hook. I dropped some melodies to the first and second verse, and then my team and I went down to Atlanta for a writers’ camp for our project. My friends Jordan and Ejay helped me fill in the gaps I needed, and thus SHAKE was born,” SHANN adds, glowing as she shares about the creation of SHAKE.
This period has seen SHANN grow as an artist, which she says is very noticeable to herself. “SHAKE shows how my sound has developed over the years. I’ve always been intentional about my music, but there’s a level of execution happening right now that I believe is noticeable. Thinking about ‘coldwithoutu,’ ‘Daydreaming Again,’ and SHAKE, there’s a variety people will love to continue learning about who I am as an artist,” SHANN adds.
With each song, SHANN learns something new about herself, and SHAKE was no different. The importance of being able to pivot is something that SHANN came to discover about herself. “My power to pivot. Being a recording artist is difficult when dealing with the stresses of life beyond music. The SHAKE story will be a great one to continue sharing with everyone, but mainly, the obstacles that were thrown my way during this time didn’t hinder my process. Growth looks like being able to adjust to any situation and still executing the vision I have.”
Fans can expect SHANN to continue to push her latest record, SHAKE, for the rest of the year. SHANN excitedly shares that she is looking forward to performing again. “There’s always more to look forward to. Right now is about pushing SHAKE with the current momentum with a variety of exciting content. I do plan to perform more for the rest of the year, so that will be exciting to be back on stage. Overall, the rest of the year is going to be so exciting with what’s planned, so you’ll just have to stay tuned in,” she shares as we begin to conclude.
As we conclude, SHANN gives a bit of insight into the struggles she faced while creating SHAKE. “I have definitely faced some challenges during the SHAKE process, but the support I have around me keeps me grounded. Every day is a reminder that believing in myself will take me further than anything that may get thrown to steer me off my course.”
As our conversation winds down, it’s clear that SHANN is an artist fully in control of her journey. With SHAKE, she’s not just delivering music; she’s crafting experiences that resonate deeply with her audience. SHANN’s story is still unfolding, and with each release, she’s proving that she’s only just getting started.