Conversations with Sherrionn

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherrionn.

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?
My family dynamic is quite complex. Long story short, my birth parents did not raise me. They were in my life, but I had a chosen family. Though I’m still exploring where I truly come from, I do know that my mother also sang and danced. It’s in my blood. My father was a rapper who currently lives in California. He was signed , toured, ect. I come from a musical background. I am still unfolding that info.

I started singing as young as 5 or 6. One of my aunts recalled hearing me sing “ Call Tyrone” by Erykah Badu while using the bathroom. MY first memory was being caught by my mom singing “Love of my life” by Erykah Badu while my oldest brother beat boxed and used the toy box as the 808’s.

I began to sing at any family function even if it was “happy birthday”. I was always nervous but I was forced to do it anyway. My aunt would even use my voice as her voicemail back then. It built character for sure.

Moving into elementary I began to take a liking to normal choir classes. Then in middle school, I auditioned for show choir and made it. I was a show choir kid all the way through highschool. I even quit sports to sing and dance in show choir. ( I played volleyball, ran track for a bit, & was on the cheerleading team) I was great at sports. Hence my athletic body type.

Throughout showchoir I began winning best performer and awards of recognition. My senior year of highschool, my show choir director placed me in my first solo competition at Nationals in Nashville Tennessee and I won 1st place. After graduation, I’d attended Northern Illinois University. I majored in communications. I wasn’t quite happy there. What kept me sane was being involved in arts. I attended competitions around campus singing at Apollos / Open mics and also danced on a dance team.

I dropped out after the first year to go back home. I wasn’t happy there and my grades started to decline for the first time in life. I was always an honors and high honors student.

I was apart of a non for profit organization called Donda’s House in Chicago. Cofounded by Rhymefest. It was named and influenced by Kanye West’ late mother. The program was for education and mentorship of up and coming artists in the city. They gave us opportunities to perform at festivals, collaborate, etc.

I then attended a community college. Majoring in broadcast and journalism. While there, I worked two jobs. ( a mom and pop resatraunt & a car wash) My grades were alright. Not excelling though.

I’d always expressed myself through writing in journals and poetry. I began writing my own original music with and without beats. I was given my first set of equipment by a relationship at the time. One that placed a huge pivot in my life. Impactful in both positive and painful ways. He and his family were under unfortunate circumstances at the time and he had nowhere to place these items. He was a producer. He’d known I was into music as well and told me to hold on to them and utilize them as needed. He’d ended up letting me keep them. I still have them to this day. An AKG mic, a 2013 Mac book, an old school interface and two Krk speakers.

I began teaching myself how to record and mix my own songs with this equipment. I’d dropped my first song that year, then deleted it to release another in 2018. Called “Care”. Produced by the guy in that relationship. So remember I was at the community college, right? I left right at the end of my last semester. Me and the producer broke up.

My parents wanted me to get some sort of certification so I’d finally got my degree in Audio Engineering/ Recording Arts at Tribeca Flashpoint ( Columbia College) in 2019 during Covid.

My best friend at the time, who I’d met through the producer ex, was a videographer. We found out we were going to the same arts school. She’d decided to start shootong my videos for free and becoming apart of my team. That’s when I began to kick off my visuals and branding.

I’d been building a buzz in Chicago, my hometown. This time around Ive noticed my name in bigger rooms. I’d been consistent on social media posting covers and remixing A list artists’ music. I began being recognized by them and would be reposted. I started to get pursued by well known writers, producers and managers.

My bestfriend at the time, the videographer, called me and expressed that she’d been thinking about moving to Atlanta. I simply said “ you aren’t leaving Chicago without me”. …and the story goes on.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has never been a smooth road for me. I know exactly why. With a huge calling, I’ve had to be tested many times. And will still be. I’m just well prepped and have huge faith.

Struggles included:

Finding genuine people in the industry
Contract issues and mistakes
Lack of motivation/ wanting to give up every single season
Financial hardships
Depression & anxiety.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Simply put, I’m an entertainer. I sing, dance & write. I record and mix vocals as well. Now, I have an engineer so that I can focus more on artistry.

I am most proud of my drive, my fearlessness & my resilience when it comes to my creative journey.

I am known for my vocal tone, my writing skills & my big personality.

What sets me apart from others in my field? I can’t really say because everyone is different in their own way …especially if they have a specific calling on their life. I just know I’m different. My drive, my natural talent and my work ethic. I don’t chase fame because I rely on my favor. What’s for me will be.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
My favorite book so far is the alchemist.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherrionn?igsh=MTluNWlvbW1lb2YzeA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@sherrionn.?si=04ZP_YvoT8g0-yGq
• Other: https://music.apple.com/us/album/dnd-ay-ayo/1782610074?i=1782610076

Image Credits
Krod Visuals
Cliff Photography
Spliff
Legendary Shots
Fly Ty