MUSIC VIDEO: "Battleships"-Ashlinn Gray

Rising South African singer Ashlinn Gray has released the video for her debut single "Battleships!" Featured on the singer's self-titled EP, the moving, upbeat track definitely had a great music video to match its inspirational message.

“With my EP being built around light and dark, and 'Battleships' being the biggest symbol of these two opposites, I wanted the music video to emphasis this theme," Ashlinn said of the song. "What really makes this video special is that I was able to incorporate some of my favorite things in life: friends and family, celebration, and last but not least, sparklers." The singer continued, “Having such a cohesive team behind the makings of the video has made the experience unforgettable and has produced a product I am proud of.”

Check out the inspiring video below!

MUSIC VIDEO: "Emotionless"-Nyakz

Upcoming R&B singer Nyakz has released the visual for his latest track, Emotionless!"

The song and the visual, which features Columbian model Stefania V, openly showcases the ups and downs of a relationship, as well as potential infidelities. "Whenever you hear a song you want the visual to make sense and I feel the director and I achieved that vision," the singer said. "The video tells you a story about the realities of relationships that everyday people are constantly battling."

Check out the music video for "Emotionless" below!

Ashley Chin Announces Retirement From Styling, New Ventures with Vaughn Brian and twelveAM

I'm truly grateful for genuine connections and mutual support. I have that with Miami designer Ashley Chin, who I have featured several times on The Spotlight! Over the years, Ashley has branched out into the fashion world tremendously through her styling ,her own designs and now  Lux House Mob brand, as well as writing and editing for Ally The Journalist. I've been proud to watch her grow!

Ashley shared with me today that she is retiring from styling to focus solely on the business side of fashion. From prayer and talking with her mom, she bravely made the decision to turn to a new chapter in her life. "I think it was me really discovering my true niche," the designer said. "I mean, I LOVE styling but I think its run its course and now I have to aim for higher and more challenging projects in order to grow."

MUSIC: "Perfect"-Ash

Some new music for you! Alternative pop/R&B singer Ash, who has toured the last four years singing background with Janelle Monae, has dropped a new track called "Perfect."

Ash's pretty vocals really shine on the energetic and bubbly track! She sings a light-hearted message about finding a love that will do the simple things and that's perfect just the way he is. She doesn't need much. It's a very fun and light song that you just can't help grooving to! The song is the first single off her upcoming project, The Perfect EP, which is set to be released on February 10, 2015!

Check out the track below!


You can purchase "Perfect" on iTunes now! You can also listen to more from Ash on SoundCloud, as well connect with her on Twitter and Instagram. I'm also working on getting an interview with her soon, so be on the lookout! 

NEW MUSIC: "Cocaine"-Jhyve

New music to check out! Toronto's own Jhyve has released a new track, "Cocaine," and no, it's not about the powder. The singer uses the drug as a metaphor to describe addiction to love, and has come up with an emotional track that I think you guys will really love.

 Check out the beautiful ballad below!

You can learn more about Jhyve on his official website, hear more from him on SoundCloud and YouTube, and connect with him on Twitter and Instagram.

Let me know what you thought of the track below! And, of course, if you would like to feature your music on The Spotlight, email me BrittanyShawnte@gmail.com.

MUSIC VIDEO: "Silence"-Cooper Phillip

Russian-born/LA-based soul singer Cooper Phillip is a true talent to behold! I want you all to check out her beautiful debut music video, "Silence," the first single from her Walk A Mile EP!

Released on October 6 and directed by Scott Nathan, the music video has a simple and classic black and white look, allowing viewers to focus more on Cooper's amazing vocals. She has serious soul and passion, and you hear it from the second she opens her mouth to sing! It's definitely a standout ballad, and I'm purchasing my copy right after I publish this!

Check out the video below!


Be on the lookout for a feature with Cooper on the blog soon! You can purchase "Silence" on iTunes now, as well as check out more from Cooper on her official website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

In The Spotlight: G5 Elz

Got another spotlight for you all on this wonderful Friday! Expect several within the next few weeks! As always, if you are an upcoming artist, designer, producer, etc., and you are interested in featuring your work on The Spotlight, email me (please allow some time for response)!

Today on the blog, we have G5 Elz! Exposed to music all of his life, the rapper learned and loved the art of rhyming. From Dr. Seuss books to watching rappers like The Notorious BIG, Jay Z and Nas, he quickly caught on to rapping. “By the time I was 8 years old, I began writing my own rhymes in school, preferably math class,” G5 joked. “Then it was always rapping in front of the TV like I was whatever rapper in the video with the remote in my hand.”

Hailing from Queens and living in NYC, G5 Elz recognizes that his environment has had a great deal of influence over his music. “My environment inspires everything because I’m seeing and hearing noises everyday then I incorporate that into my rhymes,” the rapper acknowledged. Though he always knew that creating music was his life’s purpose, he began to take his music seriously after his grandmother passed away in 2011. “I stepped my game up to another level and started molding solid projects, performing, and profiting.”

NEW MUSIC: "Crumble"-Tamara Madison feat. Redway

I'm going to have some new music for you all throughout the day, so be on the lookout! The first track I'm featuring is from Canadian singer Tamara Madison! Just a little about Tamara: she hails from Toronto, and began singing at a very young age. Though exposed to a variety of genres by her parents, gospel is what took hold on her the most, as she grew up in church. Inspired by artists like Lauryn Hill and Bob Marley, the singer is steadily making a name for herself in the industry!

Her soulful influence is clear on her latest song "Crumble," featuring rapper Redway, off of her upcoming EP, Relapse: Part 2. This track expresses true vulnerability and anger as the hurt Tamara sings to her ex, wishing him bad luck with future relationships and life in general. I'm sure many other ladies (and maybe some guys too) have been in the same spot! Check out the hot track below!


The song may seem bitter to some, but I think it's a real track. When your heart is broken by someone you love, often times, you want them to fall apart so they can experience some of the same pain that you're feeling. Music is all about expression--the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. I'm definitely feeling this track. Tamara's vocals are on point, and she brings real passion to the song. Be sure to buy the track on Bandcamp, and look out for Relapse: Part 2 coming soon (listen to Relapse: Part 1 here)! You can also connect with Tamara on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube!

In The Spotlight: Bryan Art

Always happy to feature artists and more on The Spotlight! If you are or represent a talented singer, rapper, designer, etc., please email their bio, quality pictures, and copies of their work to BrittanyShawnte@gmail.com (please allow time for response).

Today, we have talented Jamaican artist Bryan Art! Born in St. Ann, Jamaica, Bryan got his start in music at an early age, and learned to play the guitar at the age of eight. His mother actually taught him his first three primary chords that he continue to build upon throughout his life! The songwriter and producer graduated from the Edna Manly College of the Visual and Performing Arts, majoring in guitar (Caribbean, Latin American & Jazz Studies). Bryan spent his time there balancing guitar with photography and graphic art. He also took the time to teach music in Jamaican schools.

In The Spotlight: Tim Wheatley & Crooked Saint

Today on The Spotlight, we have Australian artist Tim Wheatley! Born in Melbourne, Australia, he grew up in a family that was involved in music in one way or another. “My old man was a musician, and there was never a shortage of instruments lying around the house to kill some time on,” Tim said. Growing up in Australia, he always thought that the music had “quite a unique sound.” “Why that is I’m not exactly certain,” Tim said. “But I think it has a lot to do with the tyranny of distance. We take the music from places like the US and other parts of the world and put our own spin on it.”

The singer went on to form his own band in high school called The Sparrows, which signed with Sony a few years out of school. The band had gigs around Australia, the UK, and the States and was doing quite well. However, Tim and the lead singer Michael Badger, began moving in different musical and creative directions, and Tim left the group.

VIDEO: Style Zone With AC (PREVIEW)

I’m always excited to feature people on The Spotlight, but even more so my girl Ashley Chin who is doing her thing in Miami, killing the fashion game with her styling and designing! Since our first encounter back in 2010, when I first interviewed her, we have stayed connected, and I’m so proud of her and happy for her success!

Now Ashley is heading into a new venture—a new style series entitled Style Zone with AC! “I’ve been doing fashion for so long with wardrobe styling and fashion designing, [but] I’ve always had an interest in broadcasting and was always told I have a natural ability to be on camera with confidence,” the designer stated. “I decided to create a stable foundation for myself and collaborate my two worlds.”

In The Spotlight: Graph Gonzales

Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Krista Gonzales, known professionally as Graph Gonzales, became interested in music as a teenager, listening to hip hop and eventually recorded herself for fun. “It was probably what I spent most of my time doing as an individual, writing verses and recording them,” Graph said. “It was kind of a natural thing that happened.” The city of Toronto, Graph noted, has a very eclectic sound that she’s really inspired by, including great alternative and avant-garde rock music that influenced her sound a bit.

As a teen, she had a little nickname that a friend gave her—“Graph,” because her voice was “thin and airy, like spray pain coming out of a can,” she joked. However, that’s what she eventually went by professionally, adding on her last name Gonzales, after a suggestion by Pharrell Williams later on in life. Graph began working with various groups in Toronto and New York, building up experience by consistently working in the studio. Through hard work, she has collaborated with Pharrell and Chad Hugo of the Neptunes, Talib Kweli, Clipse, and more, just to name a few.

In The Spotlight: Villainettes

More spotlights to come as we end the summer (is it me or has Summer 2014 FLOWN by?)! Today on The Spotlight, we have Villainettes, hailing from Melbourne, Australia (one of my favorite places in the world, for good reason! Check out my somewhat embarrassing yet fun blog on my experience a few years back).

The band recently came together in 2013, said to be born “amidst the ashes of three totally diverse bands.” Through friendships and professional connections, Villainettes were born! Vocalist and guitarist Michael Lindquist had begun to write, focused on some of his own personal life events, which helped to shape the band and their sound.

In The Spotlight: Buffalo Sunn

Keeping up with my goal of at least one spotlight a week (no matter what day it falls on *smiles*)! Still looking for great writers & bloggers as well to develop more content for the site, so email me at BrittanyShawnte@gmail.com for more information! 

Today, on The Spotlight, we have rock/alternative band Buffalo Sunn! Based in Dublin, Ireland, the group utlilizes retro 60s sounds as well as modern day beats to make up their unique sound. Four of the band’s members are actually brothers (the Paxton brothers--Daniel, who serves as songwriter, guitarist, and lead vocalist, Neil, who plays the keys, guitar and delivers backing vocals, Conor on keys and guitar and Ruairi on bass). The other two members (“honorary members of the Paxton clan) are Donagh O’Brien who plays drums, and Patrick McHugh who sings and plays guitar. The Paxton brothers themselves were sent to learn piano at an early age. “We hated it at the time because we had to go every Friday straight from school,” Daniel, who served as spokesman in this interview, recalled. “So while everyone was off for the weekend playing, we had to go to lessons!” However, after a few years, the brothers got the hang of piano and picked up guitar quite easily as well, becoming true musicians at just 12, 13 years old!

In The Spotlight: Travis Caudle

I absolutely love how many international artists I have had the opportunity to feature on The Spotlight this year! It’s always cool to feature people outside of the U.S. to give you all a little taste of what the outside world really has to offer. It’s also allowed me to talk with a lot of awesome people! Getting back into the swing of things after all of these vacations and whatnot, so I have even more in the works!

Today, we have Australian pop/rock artist Travis Caudle! Travis admitted that he fell in love with music at a really young age. “Dad was always into stereo systems in a big way and buying the latest records and Mum plays piano, so it was always around,” he said, even recalling his first concert experience at the toddler level! “I clearly remember being at a Neil Diamond concert in Perth, Western Australia where I’m from, when I was two or three and wondering why he had red, green and blue hair (the lights!!!). Mum and Dad must not have been able to find a babysitter that night!” he joked.

In The Spotlight: Constance Renoir

I have a lot of spotlights coming up, and even more submissions to look through soon. I plan to
hopefully have at least one spotlight a week for a bit, while I catch up (*fingers crossed*). As always, if you or your client is an upcoming singer, rapper, actor, designer, etc., please email me at BrittanyShawnte@gmail.com (Please give at least two weeks for response). 

Today on The Spotlight, we have singer/songwriter Constance Renoir! Raised in Brooklyn, NY, Constance got into music at a very young age. “I would say, by 9 years old, I had written my first song, and I knew that I could really sing,” she said. In junior high, the singer had what she called “sort of a life changing experience,” when she was asked by her music teacher, Ms. Christie, to perform in a talent show. “I had never performed before, and so I didn’t know which song to sing, so she recommended to me that I perform Mariah Carey’s ‘Hero,’” Constance recalled. “Once I grabbed that mic, and sang those specific lyrics, I knew that was what I wanted to do.” From there on, she started following Mariah’s music, trying to match both her vocals and songwriting skills.

In The Spotlight: Vanessa Elisha

I am on the train back from a beautiful vacation in Montreal, which I plan to blog on sometime this week on my personal site, BrittanyShawnte.com, as well as showcase some pictures and video here of the LEGENDARY Diana Ross, who I saw on the Fourth of July! In the meantime, I'm working to get quite a few spotlights up (the backlog on these is honestly a mess due to my outside jobs and issues, but I'm working on them!). As always, if you are interested in being featured on The Spotlight, please email me at BrittanyShawnte@gmail.com. (With the huge amount of requests, please allow a few weeks for response).

Today, on The Spotlight, we have Australian singer-songwriter Vanessa Elisha! Vanessa became involved in music rather early, growing up in a musical environment. From the TV to the radio, Vanessa heard music everywhere she went. Her dad would even drum on her back as a baby (softly!). “He always says he ‘drummed the rhythm into me,’ the singer said.

In The Spotlight: Natalia Damini

Working hard to feature a few different artists this week! As always, if you or someone you know, is an upcoming artist, producer, actor, etc., and are interested in a feature, please email me at BrittanyShawnte@gmail.com!

Today on The Spotlight, we have Brazilian singer Natalia Damini! This upcoming star has had her sights on music since she was only five years old. “I remember when I was singing, imagining a crowd of fans in front of me. That was so fun!” she said. “ I have been dreaming [about] this my whole life.” When she was 17, she met a DJ that was looking for a singer to put on his record. He only had music, and not any lyrics, so Natalia wrote the track, which became her first single “Feelin’ The Love.” “The people liked it and the DJs started sharing the song all over the country and outside, I had a demand for shows and that's how everything started,” the singer said. Natalia eventually left home for Sao Paulo alone, touring around Brazil to pursue her dream.

In The Spotlight: Montrey Slayton

I have a great spotlight (and a lot more on the way, slowly but surely!). As always, if you are or know of an upcoming artist, designer, producer, etc, please email me at brittanyshawnte@gmail.com.

Today on The Spotlight, we have upcoming singer Montrey Slayton! Born in Springfield, IL and moving to Marianna, Arkansas for most of his childhood. Montrey grew up in a musical family, so his singing talent was always evident. “We didn’t have a lot growing up but we ALWAYS had music. If our lights was out, we put batteries in the boom box and it’s like all of our problems faded away,” he said. He and his family eventually moved to Milwaukee, WI, in 2004, which Montrey calls a “gem” in terms of music. “We try to be different than other cities like Atlanta or Houston. You could hear in certain people music where they from. But it’s such a mix of originality in Milwaukee that you would always hear something new and unheard of,” the singer said of the city. Once he graduated from high school, Montrey recognized that he had a gift of writing music. That’s when he decided to record his first demo and take his music seriously.

In The Spotlight: Frankito Arias

I'm blessed to be able to share with you all these amazing spotlights of talented artists, designers, producers, and more! I get more and more requests every month, and it blows me away! As always, if you are interested in featuring your work (or your client's work) on The Spotlight, feel free to email me! 

Today we have on the blog, model/actor Frankito Arias! Frankito is relatively new to the industry, and was introduced to acting and modeling back in 2011 by his current manager, Tahyira Savanna. “The truth is, it was just something fun to do and she thought I had real skill.” The duo were both new to their jobs—Frankito to acting and modeling and Tahyira to managing—but they gave it a shot anyway. “The response was so good, we started to take it more seriously and now that I have had a taste of what it is I found my true path,” the actor admitted.