Shontelle

Shontelle

Shontelle Layne (born October 4, 1985), better known by her first name Shontelle, is an R&B singer-songwriter from Barbados. She released her mildly successful debut album Shontelligence in November of 2008.

Biography

Shontelle Layne was born on October 4, 1985, in Saint James, Barbados, to Raymond and Beverley Layne, the oldest of three sisters. Shontelle has stated that she was highly athletic when she was young, participating in track & field while excelling in school. Shontelle's aunt, Kim Derrick, a famous Caribbean singer, recognized Shontelle's talent while she was young and encouraged her to pursue singing. While in high school, Shontelle participated in a group called Cadets in which she was a drill sergeant over Rihanna, which sprouted a friendship.

Shontelle later became a student of entertainment law at Harrison College. She attended the University of the West Indies campus in Barbados and was on her way to becoming a lawyer when Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers heard "Roll" on the radio, a song that Shontelle had co-written for a fellow Bajan artist. This prompted the two to find her to create a cover version of the song, but later brought her to the US in late 2007 and signed her to SRC Records after discovering her talent.

Career

Shontelligence (2008–2009)

Shontelle began work on her debut studio album in early 2008, and completed the album in six months. The album's title was given to her by the album's engineer who used the word "shontelligence" as a joke after Shontelle and her producers were playing a game that involved making up words from her name. "T-Shirt", Shontelle's debut single, was released in July of 2008 and reached number thirty-six on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming a moderate hit. However, it was a hit in the United Kingdom, reaching the Top 10 there.

Shontelle's debut album, Shontelligence, was released on November 18, 2008 to mixed reviews. The album reached number one-hundred-fifteen on the Billboard 200, selling a mere 5,000 records in its first week. However, it reached number twenty-five on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It was re-released on March 10, 2009. The second single, "Stuck with Each Other", featuring Akon, was released in February 2009 in the US and May 2009 in the UK. The single failed to chart in the US, but reached number twenty-three in the UK. Shontelle toured as a supporting act for the UK leg of the New Kids on the Block World Tour in January 2009. Shontelle was also Beyoncé's opening act for her I Am... Tour from May to June 2009 during the UK leg.

Shontelle was also the host of My Prom Style! and Universal Motown's 2009 Ultimate Prom fashion reality series. She performed at a high school prom in New York City in June 2009, but first she led three students in a competition to design the dress that singer Kat DeLuna, the headliner, wore at the Ultimate Prom concert.

No Gravity (2009–present)

Shontelle's sophomore album, No Gravity, will be released on September 21, 2010. The album will be released in the UK in November. She has earlier announced that the album would be experimental and that she wanted to change her sound on the record. The lead single, "Impossible", was released in February 2010 for digital download, but failed to garner success until May 2010, when it unexpectedly debuted in the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. It has since become her most successful single to date, reaching number thirteen on the Hot 100.

Shontelle was Kevin Rudolf's supporting act for his 2010 To The Sky Tour.

Personal life

Shontelle confirmed in March 2010 that she is dating singer-songwriter and model Steph Jones, who played her love interest in the video for her single "Impossible".

Discography

Main article: Shontelle discography

Studio albums

• 2008: Shontelligence
• 2010: No Gravity

Tours

• 2009: I Am Tour (supporting act)
• 2010: To The Sky Tour by Kevin Rudolf (supporting act)

External links

• Official website