Who's that GiRL? Image

by Biko Kennedy / Aug 21, 2017 08:45 am

From her vocal delivery to her artistic point of view, everything about Shanique Brown, aka GiRL, screams "I'm here to carve my place in our musical history and there's nothing stopping me!"



JAMusic: How would you describe your music to someone who's never heard it?
G: I would describe it as Jamaican spunk with soul.

JAMusic: Apart from them being timeless, what drew you to all the artistes that influence your sound?
G: The way they sang. They took me to places that I never thought possible..dem mek me dream....I wanted to the same for others you know? 

JAMusic: How do you think your childhood characteristics are reflected in your current status in the industry today?
G: Woooi, my childhood characteristics reflect so much on my current status.. I had a very diverse upbringing; I lived in Spanish Town, Portmore, Mandeville, Papine and finally Kingston; so having influences from all of those places  makes me read audiences and deliver performances tailored for them. I also think it is reflected in the fusion of music that I do which in turn places me in the industry.


JAMusic: It is said that artistes communicate best through their songs, it's really the language for them; could you talk a bit on why this is noted as such.
G: I think it is noted as such because whether or not we want to admit it many if not most artistes are intune with their emotions and we, well I know I for one use my songs to  communicate messages that I can't bring across in the dopest form when I speak...it's easier to sing it.

JAMusic: Let’s talk a bit about your single Hinges, what’s the story being the single? 
G: Seet yere now!, hahaha, one day Addytraxx who is one of the producers of the single looked at me and said "me want one song weh ago mek di girl dem wine"... So I sat down and challenged myself to write this record because before now I had never done anything like it.

JAMusic: Where are you emotionally right now in your life that is aligning your creativity in the direction of your singles? The direction of Fly, High and now Hinges
G: Emotionally I am happy but I realise that all is not well with the world and more specifically with my home... So me decide say me ago try me best fi mek people find even one song that they can connect with, you know something that makes the ladies look at their men and give them compliments (Fly), something that makes the pensive minds and high grade smokers light up one or more and think about the fact that they have so much to be thankful for even when things seem bad (High) and something that mek you just wah wine and nuh care who a see or weh dem wah say (Hinges).


JAMusic: With Hinges inevitably getting rotation on local and international radio stations what insight can you give on the power of music and its ability to communicate certain messages verbally and non-verbally? And what do you think your music represent?
G: Music is one of the most powerful ways to communicate messages and I found that out the first time I heard Vice Versa Love by Barrington Levy, if you don't know it check it out....da song deh stay wid me and in many instances influenced some of my decisions...I think my music represents love because me love.

JAMusic: A lot of new artistes, especially ones big into the SoundCloud world, keep their profiles relatively low-key. But on Instagram and Twitter you're really active and open. Is that natural for you or a choice you've made to connect with fans? 
G: It's a choice I made after a performance (because I am a hermit) when a group of women came up to me telling me how much they enjoyed the show after which one of them said "I don't think I have ever seen you on social media"; so I went home and made an effort to stay in touch with them and anyone who supports me (in reasonable ways) so much so that if I have a performance and I post about it they come to the event...and you know me talk to dem when I can.

JAMusic: What elements do you hold that’ll define you as an entertainer as oppose to just another artiste? 
G:Dis hard fi answer....ummm I think the only element is that I am me (a workaholic/perfectionist)

JAMusic: Any final words? 
G: You always have the choice to be happy!

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