SHAWN EMANUEL - SLOW IT DOWN

Shawn Emanuel is an R&B singer who was playing Stevie Wonder songs on a mini keyboard before he went to primary (elementary) school. He’s also a specialist in the arts of the hustle: back in 2003 he talked himself onto a support slot for Kelly Rowland’s European tour – despite having no record deal, no manager and after splitting from his first vocal group, no band. “I called them up. I called everyone! If they had a link, I called them. In the end they told me to come to Glasgow and they’d give me a chance.” In two days he got the rehearsed, recorded a backing track and persuaded two friends to be his dancers. The ‘audition’ was in front of 4,000 hyperactive Kelly Rowlands fans at the Armadillo Theatre. Needless to say, he got the rest of the tour. Then, two days before Beyonce arrived for her European gigs, Shawn got another call-up. He hot-tailed it up to Sheffield and wowed 15,000 Bootylicious fans with his fresh-cut gleam, impromptu dance routines and self-penned R&B. After the Beyoncé tour, Shawn came to a decision. He needed a shift in musical direction. “At the end of the tour I realised that I liked listening to R&B pop but it wasn’t what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a leader, wanted to be different.” A fortuitous meeting with Brixton’s Mr Dan (man behind Kylie’s smash hit ‘Slow’) in a record shop was the answer. “We had a ritual – every morning we’d go to the cafe, fill our stomachs and then talk music.” Debut Single ‘Slow It Down’ was inspired by the choppy, scratchy guitar sounds of late ‘70s reggae and Shawn’s dad, who records under the name Dixie Peach, had a few hits on the Jah Tubby’s label. The result is tricked-out R&B, full of submerged electronic flicks and bass flashes. Signed to Major label EMI for a 5 album deal, Shawn’s debut LP, 'Dreamworld', features fresh new songs "Clap Ur Hands (I Can Make You A Star)" and "U Better Believe it" as well as a song that showcases the singer’s star potential to full effect. Titled "Keep Me From The Rain", it’s an old-school, man-and-his-piano number which Shawn believes is the song that got him signed. “People think it’s a love song,” he says, “and it can be, but it shouts out to anyone who’s ever felt alone. I grew up without my father around and it touches on that.” As well as songs, style and pure talent, the album is bubbling with Shawn’s trademark slant on things. Music, music, all day long. He’s been playing piano since he was four and has now taken up guitar. “I’m gonna be getting all [Jimi Hendrix] on everybody.” In case you hadn’t guessed, he’s a born performer. A stint at West London youth-produced TV station YCTV helped hone his behind-the-scenes skills, but it’s centrestage where he really shines. “Every time I perform it’s like the first time or the last time I’m ever gonna sing the song. I want to connect one to one with the audience. I want to bring my songs to life.” So fresh, so clean – so Shawn Emanuel. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.