Search - Shella :: Blasian Music

Shella's first EP showcases music highlighting her talents a

Dennis A. Amith (kndy) | California | 08/10/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I definitely found interest in Shella's music as one of the few female artists to primarily fuse English and Japanese lyrics.



As I discovered from her website, I found it very intriguing of reading of the various challenges that she has faced while pursuing her dream as a music artist.



Born in Honolulu, Hawaii with an African American father and Japanese mother, Shella grew up under the influence of hip hop artists such as Yoyo and MC Lite. Two artists that I also grew up listening to.



But the budding singer/songwriter would face situations that most people can never fathom. At the age of 12, her father was killed. At age 15, she met with the Ruff Ryders to discuss a record deal and when things looked good for her music career, Shella was hit with another tragedy when her mother was murdered in Waikiki.



Shella and family members had to move to Chicago and that is where she focused on her music, fusing both English and Japanese lyrics and it caught the eye of Toyota which then included Shella's music on a promotional sampler CD for Scion.



While she continued to work on her music after high school, Shella also became an audio engineer and even received a license as a Pro Tools operator.



But at the age of 18, she took her music to Tokyo and eventually hooked up with popular chop and screw DJ, Princess Cut and together they performed in Japan and her debut EP "Blasian Music" was released.



"Blasian Music" features a total of six tracks which were written and arranged by Shella and the EP entered the Billboard Top 100 R&B and Hip-Hop album charts.



The first track "Doin My Thang" was produced by Pearl City's MO'LUV and showcases Shella's smooth competent flow rhymes in English and Japanese.



The second track "What I Like" featuring LIL FLIP is an energetic track featuring both Shella and LIL FLIP which both break down some dense word barrages with new school beats and also showcasing Shella's sweet vocals. My favorite track on the EP.



The third track "Come N Holla" is another upbeat, barrage of rhymes from Shella and a song that would feature more Japanese lyrics. Very cool track and another favorite from the EP.



The fourth track "Gorgeous" is a sexy song that features Shella's storytelling and up front songwriting. Enjoyable and who can deny lyrics such as "I'm Goregeous...use my boodie like the Jedi Forces". A fun track!



The fifth track "Palm Trees N Murda" features Shella reaching into her past and detailed lyrics of the challenges that she faced in her life in Hawaii, the death of her father and how that home for her not all paradise. A deep track where she is able to turn bad moments into her life and express those emotions through her music.



The sixth track "Wishin U Were Mine" is another cool track that showcases Shella's vocals as a singer and a hip-hop artist. A smooth and sexy track overall.



As we have featured on J!-ENT, we have showcased artists who have discussed challenges of being hapa (artists which typically used for parents that are from different ethnicities) but what I found more touching about Shella is that she has gone through tragedy and pain and where a lot of people could take such anger to dangerous heights, she has used that energy to craft her music and become a better artist, songwriter and also involvement in musical arrangement.



Her first EP showcases music highlighting her talents and I really see a lot of potential in her music abilities and hope that she can continue to reach higher levels in her career.



For those who dig hip-hop, especially hip-hop strong in English lyrics with a Japanese flair (ie. similar to artist CHRIS), check out "Blasian Music" and give Shella a try."