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ShontelleSince the turn of the century, each summer in America has seen some Caribbean artist raise their head for all to see. Not to be left out of this head-raising event by any means at all, was Shontelle who comes from the lovely island of Barbados shows her head this time around.
Shontelle Layne is the oldest of three (3) sisters and was born in the parish of St. James in Barbados. She has always possessed a spirit of one to consistently excel and though she competed in several sporting activities in her time and was highly athletic, she excelled at the art of singing.
Shontelle attended the University of the West Indies in Barbados in pursuit of a degree in entertainment law. Throughout her time at the University, she started to write songs for a number of top musicians. It wasn't too long before her hit 'Roll it Gal', a rhythmic women's power-anthem sung by Alison Hinds of Barbados, had taken over the Caribbean airwaves. Knowledge is power and so Shontelle has been able to apply some of the very things she learnt in law while being in the music industry.
Her Musical CareerThis small-island lady from Barbados with little or no real exposure at all was introduced to the greater world through producers Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken of SRP Records who were also responsible for promoting Rihanna. They sought her out after hearing 'Roll it Gal' and needed to find who was responsible for those lyrics. Along with their guidance, she spent the next six months creating her debut album. She eventually signed up with Steve Rifkind of SRC Records and this authorisation placed her among the ranks of the many successful artists in the Universal Music family.
Her debut studio album 'Shontelligence' was released with its propelling hit 'T-Shirt' and successful second single 'Battle Cry'.
In 2008, Shontelle began working on her debut studio and was able to bring it to completion within a six month period.
In June of 2008, Shontelle's debut single 'T-Shirt' was released and reached number thirty-six (36) on the Billboard Hot 100. The popularity in the United Kingdom was a lot higher as it reached the Top 10 there.
In November 2008, Shontelle's debut album, 'Shontelligence' was released and reached number 115 on the Billboard 200 selling a total of 6,200 records within the first week. It reached number twenty-four (24) on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. In March of 2009, it was re-released and has since sold 30,000 records in the United States.
In February 2009, the second single from the album 'Stuck with Each Other' featuring Akon, was released in the United States and in the United Kingdom in May 2009. The success of this single was not to be in the United States but reached number twenty-three (23) in the United Kingdom.
In 2009, Shontelle toured as a supporting act for the UK leg of the New Kids on the Block World Tour. She was also Beyoncé Knowles'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. While in New York in June 2009, she performed at a high school prom 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.
February 2010, the lead single from the album 'Impossible' was released for digital download but was unsuccessful in reaching the masses up until May 2010 when it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100. It has since become Shontelle's most successful single to date, reaching number thirteen (13) on the Hot 100.
August 2010, the second single from the album 'Perfect Nightmare' was released.
September 21, 2010, Shontelle's sophomore album 'No Gravity' was released in the United States and within the very first week, it placed at number 81 on the Billboard 200, selling 7,000 copies. She joined forces with Bruno Mars, Tony Kanal and Darkchild among others for the record.
Shontelle Layne, yet another internationally acclaimed young, singer/song writer from the island of Barbados.
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