Today we’d like to introduce you to Bilkis “Bili B” Shinaba.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Bilkis. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am most thankful for my parents for allowing me to be me and being that creative butterfly. Being Nigerian American can be tough, where you only had to focus on being a Lawyer or Doctor. My dad actually said I could enroll in fashion school. Talents were not praised or even invested in as my parents had done for me since 2003, signed me up for my first modeling and acting agency.
Over the years, I kept discovering more about myself and what I wanted to do. After graduating with Bachelors in Criminal Justice 2014, I was planning for law school. I wanted to make my parents even more proud.
I missed the old me I said to myself. Wanted to have my own business so I started my own online boutique called kiss Lane. I sell accessories and more and hand made collections. I began diving into my hobbies. I dived into beauty creating arts with makeup with myself and family eventually I started getting lots of clients doing makeup individuals and for events.
Late 2018, I find myself daydreaming, thinking, and wishing I could find a mentor or someone that can hold my hand through this music journey, yeah right I thought. I also never stopped writing songs. I was willing to put the effort and funds into music if I could knowing how the music industry can be.
I felt those time were long gone I have a busy life now. I decided I could add recording and releasing a song professionally into my bucket list. What’s ironic about this is that, weeks later, I was scrolling on my Instagram page and other liked interest. I discovered a producer, Bossbeatz loved his work. I have always wanted to get into Afro Beats music to perform alongside top Afro Beats artist like Davido, Wizkid, and my favorite female Afro Beat Artist by the name of Yemi Alade. Being Nigerian I couldn’t be more inspired by those artists and how they’ve now influenced music all around the world.
I began working with Bossbeatz whom I met on social media. We made my first single “Green Light” under my Artist name “Bili B” which was released on February 14, 2019. Then, I made another “Only You.” We shot the music video for “Green Light” oh! The joy it brings! It’s just the beginning of my musical journey and I am here to enjoy the process and share with the world. You can truly be who you want to be and achieve what it is you want to achieve. The resources are there. Although, it can be challenging, with the right plan and budget and God’s guidance one can truly make it a very possible journey. As far as my small online boutique and beauty, I thank God for the flexibility social media has in marketing and connecting with clients and customers. There’s so much to be done and am still learning and aiming.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has its ups and down especially personal with me. I say personal because It’s not always the best feeling when you can do so much but trying to find that one thing that can be the lead for my success. I don’t put my eggs in one basket. I think about the possibility of things and while being positive as long as I have the strength, time, and the creative mind it keeps me going. Those challenges I am definitely learning from. I seek to enjoy life. I think about where I want to be in five years from now, it guides me.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Kiss Lane is an online boutique store. I have not only accessories including handbags, sunglasses, and more. I have kiss Lane collection which are handmade styles made from Africa prints fabrics to home decor pillow decors, shams, throws and more. I also hand made wedding shoes or special event shoes using beads, pearls, art designs.
What was you like growing up?
I am the girl that created her first prom dress 2009. I also created my first album when I was 14 with very little knowledge in music which never got published but I remember I had about seven songs with a cd cover and everything it makes me giggle thinking back how I did that. I would write songs, use popular lyrics and transformed them on a new beat for a different flow. I loved music and had no idea what I was doing but I was enjoying making music in my parents’ basement in Ohio. I never exposed my love for music I was very very shy. I secretly create dance videos to Ciara, Usher, and other artist music and would post them on YouTube.
Throughout my early school years, I was very busy with activities. I loved getting busy and being creative, being a part of a team. I was in choir for years, played the violin for years, was in theater class. I would do two sports at the same time hurdles track and field, soccer, cross country. I made sure I succeeded in anything I was involved in until my knees jammed doing long jump in a state meet senior year after I moved to GA.
I love being in entertainment. 2011, I started going for acting auditions for plays got my first paid gig in 2011 as a lead. I did lots of extra work for top-billed movies and that was fun but I needed roles. I did a short film for some time received IMDB credits, got on The Tyler Perry Show, then Atlanta got that movie tax break and somehow it became difficult to get work. Castings were harder and now more competitive. Obviously, I channeled elsewhere with my hobbies. I auditioned for Tyra banks top models can’t remember the cycle early days. I discovered then I wasn’t tall enough to do modeling I wanted prints and commercial. That journey ended quick but it didn’t stop me from doing local fashion shows.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kisslane.com
- Email: bilibtunes@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queen_bilkis
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Bilibtunes/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BiliBTunes
- Other: https://linktr.ee/queen_bilkis
Image Credit:
Lloyd Mack
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