Fast Five Featuring Shalee

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Photo provided by Shalee.

What sparked your interest in music?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a love for music. Growing up, I was surrounded by different genres that helped shape my musical taste and appreciation.

My father introduced me to oldies and golden classics, while my stepfather exposed me to reggae. And of course, growing up in Barbados, soca was naturally part of my environment.

What fascinated me most was how different sounds could make me feel. The tones, frequencies, melodies, and even the depth of someone’s voice could create an entirely different emotion. I found myself drawn to certain elements of music without always understanding why.

Looking back, I believe the people around me and their individual musical tastes played a major role in shaping my own. That exposure gave me an appreciation for different genres and sounds, and it’s something that continues to influence me as an artist today.

What’s the best career advice you’ve been given?

One of the most memorable pieces of career advice I’ve received came during my first booking with the National Cultural Foundation (NCF).

I had the pleasure of meeting a fellow artist, Sugahrhe, who shared some words of encouragement that truly stayed with me. She probably doesn’t even realize how much of an impact that conversation had on me.

One thing she emphasized was the importance of punctuality: always be on time, no matter what. But the advice that touched me most was when she said, “Just go out there and do you. If you love your song, perform it like you love it.”

Those words really resonated with me because they reminded me that performing isn’t just about getting on a stage and singing. It’s about believing in what you’ve created, embracing who you are as an artist, and allowing the audience to feel that same passion.

It’s advice I’ve carried with me ever since.

What’s the most rewarding part of being an artist?

First and foremost, the ability to create. I’ve always loved creating, but there’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing other people connect with something I’ve made.

In the six months since I began my journey as a recording artist, one of the most fulfilling experiences has been seeing my music reach people beyond my immediate circle. Having people recognize me, appreciate my work, and genuinely show their love and support is an amazing feeling. It reminds me that what I’m creating is reaching people and leaving an impression.

I’ve also been fortunate enough to experience opportunities that I once could only imagine, from being interviewed on the radio to appearing on television and introducing myself and my music to fellow Barbadians.

Being given these opportunities, especially at such an early stage in my career, has been truly rewarding. It’s exciting to see how far I’ve come in such a short time, and it motivates me to keep creating and growing as an artist.

What does “perfection” mean to you? Do you think that it’s worth pursuing?

Personally, I believe the only one who is truly perfect is the Creator, the One who made us all.

I think constantly striving for perfection can place unnecessary pressure on us, and that’s something I try not to do to myself. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t have standards. When it comes to my music, I’m very particular about the sounds, frequencies, and creative elements that go into what I produce. I want my work to reflect a certain level of quality while still allowing myself the freedom to explore and grow.

I believe that anything you’re genuinely passionate about is worth pursuing. You don’t have to be perfect at something to be good at it, and you certainly don’t have to be perfect to begin.

For me, it’s not about achieving perfection. It’s about growth, learning from each experience, and becoming better with every attempt. There’s always room for improvement, and I think that’s part of what makes the creative journey so beautiful.

What do you ultimately want to achieve with your work?

I haven’t necessarily mapped out any major long-term goals for my music career. For me, music is something I genuinely enjoy, and I want to continue treating it as a creative passion rather than placing unnecessary expectations on myself.

My main focus is consistency, continuing to create, exploring different sounds, and sharing my music with people who appreciate what I have to offer as an artist.

I’m not necessarily chasing a particular level of success. What matters most to me is connecting with people through my creativity. If that journey opens doors to new opportunities and achievements along the way, I would be incredibly grateful.

I would also love the opportunity to collaborate with other artists, whether here in Barbados, across the Caribbean, or even internationally. Those experiences would mean a great deal to me, not only creatively but as memories I could cherish for a lifetime.

Ultimately, I just want to keep doing what I love, remain consistent, and continue learning, improving, and becoming a better version of myself as an artist with every new experience.

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K.F. Cumberbatch
K.F. Cumberbatch
An avid reader who accidentally discovered her love and talent for writing as a preteen and has loved movies for as long as she has been watching them. She stumbled into filmmaking and found her second love because she decided to read for a degree in it on a whim — kind of. Kota is the creator and producer of ZEITGEIST!

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