Shawn Emanuel is a British R&B,

soul In many religious and philosophical traditions, there is a belief that a soul is "the immaterial aspect or essence of a human being". Etymology The Modern English noun ''soul'' is derived from Old English ''sāwol, sāwel''. The earliest attes ...

, and pop singer-songwriter and record producer from West London's

Notting Hill Gate Notting Hill Gate is one of the main thoroughfares of Notting Hill, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Historically the street was a location for toll gates, from which it derives its modern name. Location At Ossington Street/Ke ...

Biography

Early years

Emanuel was born in London's borough of Lambeth on 5 January. Although he was born in South London, he grew up in West London with his mother. His father is a reggae artist who recorded under the name Dixie Peach for the London-based record label Jah Tubby's. He is the second oldest, of four siblings. His musical influences are

Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris ( Judkins; May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, who is credited as a pioneer and influence by musicians across a range of genres that include rhythm and blues, Pop musi ...

and

Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. Over a ...

. ''"Even at a very young age, he was always intrigued with music. Before attending Primary School, he was caught several times on a small keyboard imitating Stevie Wonder."'' While attending

Fox Primary School Fox Primary School is a primary school in London for children between the ages of 4 and 11, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is located on Kensington Place, between Kensington Church Street and Notting Hill Gate. The school h ...

in West London, his mother sent him to Piano lessons once a week to nurture his passion for music. He also learned to play the Cello and attended the

Centre for Young Musicians The Centre for Young Musicians, or CYM, is a Saturday music centre in London, England, for children up to 18 who play a musical instrument, currently run by Stephen Dagg. Intermediate beginners are eligible for the school, although there is an a ...

Weekend College in his early teens. Emanuel was a student at The

Brit School The BRIT School is a British performing and creative arts school located in Selhurst, Croydon, England, with a mandate to provide education and vocational training for the performing arts, music, music technology, theatre, musical theatre, danc ...

for performing arts. His passion for the stage was enhanced by his extra-curricular studies as a Sound and Lighting Technician. Emanuel also attended Westminster Theatre Arts and was a member of

Sabrina Guinness Sabrina Jane, Lady Stoppard (née Guinness; born 9 January 1955) is a British-Irish television producer. Background Sabrina Guinness is the eldest child (of four daughters and a son) of James Edward Alexander Rundell Guinness CBE (1924–2006), ...

’s YCTV.

Early career

Emanuel cycled through a few boy bands before deciding to try it solo. After recording a song "Shake That Thing" with British rapper Estelle, he was then given the opportunity to tour with singer

Kelly Rowland Kelendria Trene Rowland (born February 11, 1981) is an American singer, actress, and television personality. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of Destiny's Child, one of the world's List of best-selling girl groups, best-selling girl ...

as an opening act for her

Simply Deeper Tour The Simply Deeper Tour was the debut concert tour by American R&B recording artist Kelly Rowland. It was launched in support of her debut solo album ''Simply Deep'' (2002). The Simply Deeper Tour only reached Europe. History Touring Europe This ...

Mean Fiddler The Astoria 2, subsequently known as the LA2 then the Mean Fiddler, was a nightclub at 165 Charing Cross Road in London, England. History The venue was originally a ballroom in the basement of the London Astoria theatre and connected by stair ...

Director/Promoter Rob Hallett and went later on to support

Beyoncé Knowles Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( ; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Beyoncé's boundary-pushing artistry and vocals have made her the most influential female musician of the 21st century, according to ...

for the European part of her

Dangerously in Love Tour The Dangerously in Love Tour was the debut concert tour by American recording artist Beyoncé. Although the tour was intended to showcase songs from her debut solo album, '' Dangerously in Love'', (2003) the set list also contained a special se ...

. He was also one of the

opening act A opening act, also known as a warm-up act, support act, or supporting act, is an entertainment act (musical, comedic, or otherwise), that performs at a concert before the featured act, or "headliner". Rarely, an opening act may perform again a ...

s on the European leg of

Destiny's Child Destiny's Child was an American girl group whose final line-up comprised Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams. The group began their musical career as Girl's Tyme, formed in 1990 in Houston, Texas. After years of limited ...

's Destiny Fulfilled ... And Lovin' It tour. Soon after Emanuel was invited by rapper

Kanye West Ye ( ; born Kanye Omari West ; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer. Born in Atlanta and raised in Chicago, West gained recognition as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records in the ea ...

to join the Late Registration tour with fellow support act

Keyshia Cole Keyshia Myeshia Cole Johnson; born October 15, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality. Born and raised in Oakland, California, Cole began her career as a backing vocalist for MC Hammer. After signing with A&M Records ...

. Other tours include the

Sugababes Sugababes are a British girl group composed of Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhán Donaghy. The lineup changed three times before returning to the original lineup in 2011. Formed in 1998 by All Saints manager Ron Tom, Sugababes releas ...

Taller in more ways tour, Jagged Edge and

Missy Elliott Melissa Arnette Elliott (born July 1, 1971), better known as Missy Elliott or Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She embarked on her music career with R&B girl group Sista in the earl ...

DreamWorld Era

In May 2004, Emanuel signed a five-album deal with EMI. His album with EMI was titled "Dreamworld". The album was recorded in the old school

Motown Motown Records is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. It was founded by Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on June 7, 1958, and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmanteau of ''moto ...

style, which included recording live vocals on tape and not digitally. His first single "Slow it Down", produced by Dan Carey was released on 29 May 2006 and his second single "U Better Believe it" was released on 16 October 2006. All tracks were mixed by multi-

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pres ...

winner,

Tom Elmhirst Tom Elmhirst (born 8 June 1971) is a British mix engineer. He has worked with artists including Adele, Beck, David Bowie, Cage the Elephant, Lady Gaga, Residente, and Amy Winehouse, among many others. Elmhirst has received numerous accolades a ...

. His "Dreamworld" album was not released due to his departure from EMI in 2007.

Discography

Singles

*"Messed Up" (28 May 2021) *"Forever" (25 February 2021) *"Did You Tell Her" (25 February 2021) *"Slow It Down" (29 May 2006) *"U Better Believe" featuring

Malik Yusef Malik Yusef El Shabazz Jones (born April 4, 1971) is an American spoken word artist, poet, rapper, writer, composer, producer and director based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Early life He was raised in Chicago's South Side neighborho ...

(16 October 2006)

References

External links

Official web site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Emanuel, Shawn Year of birth missing (living people) Living people English people of Jamaican descent English people of Cuban descent 21st-century Black British male singers British pop singers British soul singers British male singer-songwriters People educated at the BRIT School