Today we’d like to introduce you to Shamika Brown
Hi Shamika, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story begins on the panhandle of Florida. I started singing at the age of 6. My mother was a singer and started me out singing with her on stage. At first I just modeled with her because she was a hairdresser and then eventually she had to perform in a show. She brought me on stage with her as a model and I ended up taking the microphone out of her hand! No one knew that I could sing but that day they found out! I belted out Anita Baker’s 365 days. I got a standing ovation. From that day on my music teacher trained me after school. I started singing in weddings, talent shows, funerals, and festivals locally. I auditioned for American Idol, Star Search, and The Voice. I opened shows for Da Brat, Lenny Williams, Mr. Cheeks, Bobby Valentino and many of the celebrities that came to the area. I knew that singing was in my DNA and I really wanted to follow that dream and make it a reality but I wasn’t going to be able to do that in my small town. I was afraid to move but didn’t want to live my life with regrets so I packed up and moved to Atlanta in 2013.
I started going to auditions as soon as I got here! I hit the ground running. I finally landed a gig singing the national anthem for the Atlanta Braves. After that it motivated me to start getting in the studio. I wanted to focus more on my writing because I always wanted to put my life and my experiences in my songs. My determination landed me in the hands of multi-platinum producer of Hitlanders Antonio “Tizone” Street in 2018. We recorded my debut album “I am who I am”, which gave insight on a lot of the adversities that I faced as a plus size singer. I wanted to highlight my talents and not my size. Break out songs like “Paradise”, “Beautiful Fool”, All this love” and I am who I am got a lot of airplay in the states and overseas. I was number 19 on the soul charts in London.
My sophomore album “Center of Attention “ is the project that really showed my range and love for different genres of music. This album also produced by Tizone includes smash hits like “What would you do?”, “5 Long Years”, “BIG”, “Lay me down” and “Emotions”. I wanted to expand my music into more spaces and had the opportunity to be featured in movies like : “Swap Out”, “Tit for Tat”, “I want her”(Benzino), “Offline”(Bobby Valentino), “Father May I 2”, “The Representative”, and “Poly Love in Peach City 2”. Directed by Terry Miles & Mya Speller. I have been on Atlanta & Co artist to watch on Channel 11 locally and also Portia. I’m so grateful and thankful to experience these opportunities. I wasn’t going to let fear, regret or discrimination stop me from making my dreams a reality. This is just the start. Today I am still writing music, recording and expanding my gifts into acting. I got here today by never giving up even when I was homeless, hopeless and discouraged. I didn’t let life’s obstacles stop me from running this marathon. I’m not finished and the best is yet to come! My music is available everywhere! Find which songs resonate with what you have been through and share that with someone that it may help. My purpose is to touch you through music which is universal and can change your equation. I appreciate all the love and support that I have received and I am humbled and grateful.
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?
I have faced so many obstacles and struggles along this journey. Four days after arriving in Atlanta I was in a head on collision accident! After overcoming that I was told that my music was great and that was super talented but I needed to lose weight in order to fit the industry standards. That was heartbreaking because I have been working so hard. I have battled with my size all my life and I just wanted to be seen for the music not my weight. I was also homeless and living in my truck with no money, no job, no help and still trying not to have to move back home. Music is what kept me warm on cold winter nights. I have had people turn their backs on me. My toughest times were very hard to get through. I battled with depression but I see now it was just God’s way of removing the fakes as he was preparing me for much great. Those were some hard nights. I cried and just wanted to not be here but I couldn’t let myself or my family down especially my daughter. I kept the faith and I am still standing. I love who I am becoming.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a singer/songwriter/entertainer. I specialize in making music that touches you in.a special way. I’m known for my albums “I am who I am”, “Center of Attention”, and I am on multiple movie soundtracks on Tubi. I’m most proud of my albums because they give you a glimpse of what I have been through in my life and how I dealt with certain emotions. I’m also proud that I left my hometown to follow my dreams and I didn’t let fear stop me.
What sets me apart from others is my vision, passion and zest for creating quality music that you can keep on repeat. Music that takes you back to that good feeling in your soul. Music that talks about love and can take your mind to a place or time that maybe you have experienced the same thing.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory is the first time that I held the mic in my hand. My mom was singing and had me stand next to her. She bent down to share the mic and I took it out of her hand and finished singing Anita Baker’s 365 days. The standing ovation that I got really lit a fire in me and I knew that this was what I wanted to do forever!
Pricing:
- Weddings $60 per song
- Funerals $60 per song
- 1 hour sets $300
- Club Appearances $150
- Birthday Songs personally written w/video $100
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Shamikabmusic
- Facebook: Shamika Brown
- Twitter: Shamika S Brown
- Youtube: Shamika Brown
- Other: TikTok Shamikabmusic
Image Credits
JBo Photography
