Tanya’s Dawta Sings With The Turf Prez
Kelly Shane has taken the world by surprise—but looking back on it now, it all makes sense. As the child of one of Jamaica’s greatest singer-songwriters, Kelly grew up surrounded by great music. Touring with her mother Tanya Stephens during school vacations and later working as her personal assistant, Kelly absorbed all sorts of powerful vibes. As a professionally trained makeup artist, she worked on video shoots, fashion shows, and ad campaigns, but never stepped into the spotlight herself. Our first glimpse of Kelly’s vocal and writing talents was “So Damaged,” a heartfelt duet with her mother on Tanya’s latest album, Some Kinda Madness. Kelly also credits her grandmother as a major influence. “As the owner of the radio and the house, her favorite music was mostly played,” says the young singer. “Alton Ellis and the entire British-Jamaican music movement was a big part of the soundtrack of my life.” So it’s only natural that Kelly’s first release should be a cover version of a poignant love ballad popularized in reggae circles by Mr. Soul of Jamaica. This particular tune became even more personal when Kelly recorded it. “At the time I was seeing someone that was very hesitant to love again,” she says. “So it felt like I was speaking my own words, trying to convince them to take a chance on me. Busy’s verse also summed up how they were feeling too—so when I heard it I cried a lot.” Collaborating with one of Jamaica’s most respected deejays ain’t a bad way to kick off a young career. “To be very honest, I didn’t think he would do it,” Kelly says of Busy. “This is my first song and it felt like I was really asking him to take a chance on me. I didn’t feel deserving of having him on a song, but I had him on a song—with two verses that I really really loved.” Boomshots is proud to premiere the very first music video from a rising star. Hello world! Get familiar with Kelly Shane. Video After The Jump… (more…)
