Shontelle Layne rolled on to the music scene (okay, this is the last time CiRCUIT makes that ‘roll’ pun, we swear!) back in 2K5, the hot young singer/songwriter hit Barbados with a ‘1-2’ combo punch –responsible in part for not one, but two of that year’s hottest Crop-Over tracks. The first track, Roll, the blockbuster hit sung by Alison Hinds was written by Shontelle, described back then by many as ‘that chick from U.W.I.’ that no one had ever heard of in musical circles.

The second was the patriotic Colours, which Shontelle co-wrote and co-performed with Nathalee Burke.

Shontelle was soon snapped up by SRP (Syndicated Rhythm Productions), Rihanna’s production team, after a CiRCUIT editor connected SRP’s Evan Rogers with the hot young entertainer. The deal effectively made Shontelle and Rihanna, who were in cadets together, SRP labelmates.

And last December, the news broke that Universal/Motown had signed Shontelle to a deal which could see yet another Bajan doing big things internationally. 

Bajans last caught a glimpse of her in the video for the J-Status version of Roll, which also featured Rihanna, but it’s been a while since Barbadians have heard any major announcements coming out of Shontelle’s camp. Now, the hype is building again. In an exclusive interview with CiRCUIT magazine, Shontelle reveals that a lot has been happening behind-the-scenes since she signed to Universal/Motown. Naturally, she’s been kept busy in the studio, recording for her upcoming album Shontelligence, and working with the likes of choreographer Tanisha Scott, who has worked with Sean Paul, Ludacris, Ne-Yo and Rupee.

She’s also been through rigorous promo tours which involved meet ‘n greets with producers, radio program directors, DJs, and other industry movers and shakers. Shontelle describes the promo tours as ‘gruelling, but fun,’ and also notes that they have helped her to prepare mentally for the challenges ahead which she’ll undoubtedly face while moulding her musical career as an international crossover artist. Shontelle notes that her first album will have influences of hip-hop, ballads, R&B, and dancehall, and will also have elements of reggae and soca. ‘Everything is in there,’ she says, ‘even a little bit of rock. It’s a really diverse album.’

Up to the time of this issue’s publication, word from Shontelle’s camp is that Shontelle’s first international single is set to drop sometime during the fall season – for those of us in the Caribbean familiar only with the wet and dry seasons, that equates to a release somewhere in the last quarter of the year. The album is expected to be released during the first quarter of 2K8, and features the production work of a number of heavy-hitters, including Stargate and JR Rotem, who produced S.O.S., one of Rihanna’s hits.

 According to SRP’s Evan Rogers, Shontelle has recorded a collab with Sean Kingston called Off the Meter, produced by JR Rotem, but at the point of publication of this issue, a final decision had not yet been made on whether the track would be included on the album. If it is included, considering Sean Kingston’s immense popularity with hits like Beautiful Girls and Me Love, a Shontelle/Sean Kingston release could only mean increased radioplay potential for Shontelle.

Even with such internationally recognised producers, Shontelle notes that she believes that she has a responsibility to represent Barbados and push the music industry further. According to Shontelle, she wouldn’t have it any other way than to facilitate the involvement of local stakeholders on her project. She continues to be co-managed by Barbadian Sonia Mullins who managed her prior to her being signed to Universal/Motown. The other half of her co-management team is Mark Jordan, who manages Rihanna.

 Even though up to publication time, track listings for the album had not been finalised, both Shontelle and Rogers indicated that it was highly likely that a few Barbadian-produced tracks would make the final cut for the album. According to Shontelle, some of the songs produced by Bajans are among those which are creating the most excitement among her camp. These include Focus Pon Me, a catchy bounce-ya-head hybrid track and I Crave You, a slow jam. Both of these tracks are already familiar to web surfers keeping an eye on Shontelle’s development via her MySpace page (www.myspace.com/shontellemusic). Focus Pon Me was produced by Barbados’ Classic Soul, while I Crave You was produced by De Red Boyz. Shontelle notes that she has also worked extensively with Kirk Arthur from Room 112.

So far, it seems like this will be the major difference between Shontelle and her SRP-labelmate Rihanna. There will be a much more pronounced Caribbean presence in the writing and style of Shontelle’s music. In addition, Shontelle will be marketed more heavily as a singer/songwriter, and will likely write for other artists, including Bajans. Of course, the Shontelle/Rihanna comparisons have already begun. But it’s difficult not to draw comparisons between two hot female entertainers in the same age bracket who emerged from the same Caribbean island, and signed to the same production camp. According to Shontelle, since her signing, she’s been asked about Rihanna, compared to Rihanna, and in some cases, even mistaken for Rihanna in public. But it doesn’t seem to bother Shontelle. She’s ready to make a name for herself on the international circuit.

If all goes as planned, Shontelle will go on a US tour shortly after the first single drops, but there’s no definite word on when next Shontelle will hit the stage in Barbados. According to Rogers, it’s likely that on release of the album, a press junket will be held in Barbados with representatives from major international media houses present. It’s also likely that Shontelle will be coming to Barbados for the next Barbados Music Awards.

As far as returning home for an extended period of time is concerned, there’s no word on that — after all, if all goes as planned, Shontelle may end up living out of a suitcase from one country to the next while on tour. Unfinished business like her one remaining semester in her law degree at U.W.I. will have to wait – even though Shontelle says she absolutely plans to finish the degree even if it means picking up the outstanding credits elsewhere. The law courses have already proven to be useful, and have provided a useful foundation for the contracts which Shontelle has already had to sign, and will continually have to sign – there’s already been interest by various companies for endorsement deals.

Ultimately, Barbadians will have to wait ‘til some time next year to see the international response to Shontelle’s music, but if having solid production and management teams, and strong writing and singing talents have anything to do with one’s level of success, Shontelle may very well be on the way to years of musical success...