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Christmas is such a special time....A time for reflection, love and merriment.... It reminds us of the love that Jesus Christ has for us and that it should be reciprocated at all times...
Entertainment Macco caught up with a few familiar faces during this hectic season just to find out what Christmas means to them...... This is what they had to say...
Entertainment Macco caught up with a few familiar faces during this hectic season just to find out what Christmas means to them...... This is what they had to say...
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| Chrystal "Buffy" Cuffy: "For me Christmas is about appreciating God the father giving him thanks for all that he has done for us throughout the year celebrating his birth and giving to those in need. Also it's about family togetherness" |
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Shawn "Ma$tamind" Noel: Some may think I see it as merely a time to drink, ("What Is Christmas Without Ah Rum?" LOL), but nah. It's not that because I don't need an excuse to drink... (because "If yuh drink rum yuh will die. If yuh doh drink rum yuh will die. Yuh might as well....") Hahaha. Seriously though, Christmas for me is a time to celebrate the birth of our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. It's also a time to spend with friends & family, giving of yourself and sharing love with everyone. And you can't forget parang! As a matter of fact I love it so much, I'll be starting to record parang in May or June next year, please God." |
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Biggie Irie: "To me Christmas is a time really for Love, Peace and Tranquility... A time when you reflect on your life, giving thanx to GOD for allowing you to live thru' a whole year to see another Xmas. To me it's about real friendship with loved ones, those who have been there with you for the past year and you know they will be there to support you in the coming years ahead. And finally it's about making merry with loved ones and close friends, drinking and eating traditional Xmas food. Here in Bim our Xmas delicacy is Jug Jug which consist of peas, guinea corn and all sorts of meats all cooked together like coucou... I make sure I cook that every year because it reminds me of my mom and aunt who have passed on, so cooking jug jug is like a tribute to them because they cooked it every year. Sorrel is also a must for me. I'm not too big on the alcohol or the gift giving so I look forward to preparing the food and spending time with my true friends."
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| Adrian "Thirdbass" Hackshaw: "Xmas means remembering the birth of Christ our saviour,spending time with family, true friends and enjoying the best turkey and sorrel ever......" |
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| Umi Marcano: "Christmas means lots ah food lots ah drinks and making my daughter happy Santa Style :D " |
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Ms Alysha: LOVE!!! All that people do around this time is in the name of love and that is the type of energy I feel around me. |
Category:
Biggie Irie,
Buffy,
Mista Spine,
Ms.Alysha,
Rolhensha,
Shawn Noel,
Shawn Stewart,
Thirdbass,
Umi Marcano
1 Comment
Christmas Day is quickly approaching and amongst all the hustle and bustle West Indians always look forward to the musical offerings for the season. Nicholas St. Bernard; a music enthusiast, fellow West Indian and EM supporter shared this special piece with us, which we just couldn't resist reproducing (with his approval of course). From Entertainment Macco to all of our supporters and followers, a heartfelt thank you and for the continued support and encouragement. Merry Christmas to you and yours and a bright and prosperous New Year.
Here in T&;T, growing up, I've come to know our local Christmas music that is, Parang, local Christmas songs, Christmas calypso, Christmas Soca, Latin Parang and ParangSoca, which one can hear on the radio, or play at home, if one has the music, (on records and/or cds, for example) during the festive season...
Some "old school" examples of the above genres, which are MY personal favourites...
PARANG:
Din-Din-Din - Las Estrellas
La Paramin - Los Alcaran Parang Group
LOCAL (SOUL) CHRISTMAS SONGS:
Sha La La Christmas Song - Lennox Gray
The Cherry Tree Carol - Hazel Ramberansingh
CHRISTMAS CALYPSO:
Christmas On Sesame Street - Lord Relator
Drink-A-Rum - Lord Kitchener (I'm talking here of his 1976 remake, OF COURSE, where he's backed by Pelham Goddard and the crew! Pelham plays a mean synthesizer on this one!)
Go Tell It On The Mountain - David Rudder
CHRISTMAS SOCA:
Tell Santa Claus - Charlie's Roots
("tell Santa Claus, to bring a guitar and a synthesizer for me," yea, that's the one I grew up with! Only heard about the "trumpet and concertina" thing on the ORIGINAL by Nap Hepburn, sometime after that...Goin' with Charlie's Roots' on that one, that ONLY 90.5 FM plays today!)
LATIN PARANG:
Latin Parang - Colleen Grant
(Classic!!!)
PARANGSOCA:
Muchacha - Crazy
Hooray Hoorah - Singing Francine
Now my good friend, The Entertainment Macco asked the question, on what their readers thought of the musical contributions for the (2010 Christmas) season...
Who ruled the airwaves and the dancehalls with their Christmas offerings through the years?
Here in T&;T, growing up, I've come to know our local Christmas music that is, Parang, local Christmas songs, Christmas calypso, Christmas Soca, Latin Parang and ParangSoca, which one can hear on the radio, or play at home, if one has the music, (on records and/or cds, for example) during the festive season...
Some "old school" examples of the above genres, which are MY personal favourites...
PARANG:
Din-Din-Din - Las Estrellas
La Paramin - Los Alcaran Parang Group
LOCAL (SOUL) CHRISTMAS SONGS:
Sha La La Christmas Song - Lennox Gray
The Cherry Tree Carol - Hazel Ramberansingh
CHRISTMAS CALYPSO:
Christmas On Sesame Street - Lord Relator
Drink-A-Rum - Lord Kitchener (I'm talking here of his 1976 remake, OF COURSE, where he's backed by Pelham Goddard and the crew! Pelham plays a mean synthesizer on this one!)
Go Tell It On The Mountain - David Rudder
CHRISTMAS SOCA:
Tell Santa Claus - Charlie's Roots
("tell Santa Claus, to bring a guitar and a synthesizer for me," yea, that's the one I grew up with! Only heard about the "trumpet and concertina" thing on the ORIGINAL by Nap Hepburn, sometime after that...Goin' with Charlie's Roots' on that one, that ONLY 90.5 FM plays today!)
LATIN PARANG:
Latin Parang - Colleen Grant
(Classic!!!)
PARANGSOCA:
Muchacha - Crazy
Hooray Hoorah - Singing Francine
Now my good friend, The Entertainment Macco asked the question, on what their readers thought of the musical contributions for the (2010 Christmas) season...
Who ruled the airwaves and the dancehalls with their Christmas offerings through the years?
Well there was Crazy, Francine Edwards, Scrunter, Marcia Miranda, Baron & Kenny J., with their ParangSoca selections (I DON'T say soca Parang, okay?...)
I'd like to state here, however, for the past 5 Christmas seasons, SOME of the best Christmas offerings have come from the Ma$tamind camp!!! MY opinion of course! Check this out...
2006: Black Cake And Sorrel - Da $pirit$
This is a certified Trini Christmas classic, as let's say, Lennox Gray's "Around My Christmas Tree," &; Hazel Ramberansingh's "The Cherry Tree Carol." Man EVERY Christmas season since then, this jam enjoys a lot of airplay, whether on the radio, on the street, EVERYWHERE!!! Some radio broadcasters even use the piece as background music, when taking calls on air from listeners.
By the way, it's just one brother, namely Shawn "Da Ma$tamind" Noel, in his guise as Da $pirit$, who plays ALL the instruments on this jam! Yea, he's a multi-instrumentalist like Stevie Wonder, Prince Rogers Nelson, R. Kelly &; Timbaland...Oh, and I hear he makes an "award-winning" macaroni pie too!...
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2007: Ponche De Creme - Da $pirit$
2008: Ham and Pastelle - Da $pirit$
2009: One For Tito - Crazy
2010: Sweetbread - Da $pirit$
That's 4 PARANG instrumentals and 1 PARANGSOCA vocal track (the Crazy track) above...Shawn "Da Ma$tamind" Noel is NOT the current PARANGSOCA champ...NO! Shawn is the current PARANG MA$TA (!!!), and he has held that title for the past 5 years, iz just NOBODY sayin' so, or recognize that!!! MY opinion of course...Yea, I know he produces BOTH PARANG & PARANGSOCA, which is under the umbrella of PARANG, so let's once again refer to him as the undefeated ALL-ROUND PARANG MA$TA, 2006 to 2010!!!
I'd like to state here, however, for the past 5 Christmas seasons, SOME of the best Christmas offerings have come from the Ma$tamind camp!!! MY opinion of course! Check this out...
2006: Black Cake And Sorrel - Da $pirit$
This is a certified Trini Christmas classic, as let's say, Lennox Gray's "Around My Christmas Tree," &; Hazel Ramberansingh's "The Cherry Tree Carol." Man EVERY Christmas season since then, this jam enjoys a lot of airplay, whether on the radio, on the street, EVERYWHERE!!! Some radio broadcasters even use the piece as background music, when taking calls on air from listeners.
By the way, it's just one brother, namely Shawn "Da Ma$tamind" Noel, in his guise as Da $pirit$, who plays ALL the instruments on this jam! Yea, he's a multi-instrumentalist like Stevie Wonder, Prince Rogers Nelson, R. Kelly &; Timbaland...Oh, and I hear he makes an "award-winning" macaroni pie too!...
!2007: Ponche De Creme - Da $pirit$
2008: Ham and Pastelle - Da $pirit$
2009: One For Tito - Crazy
2010: Sweetbread - Da $pirit$
That's 4 PARANG instrumentals and 1 PARANGSOCA vocal track (the Crazy track) above...Shawn "Da Ma$tamind" Noel is NOT the current PARANGSOCA champ...NO! Shawn is the current PARANG MA$TA (!!!), and he has held that title for the past 5 years, iz just NOBODY sayin' so, or recognize that!!! MY opinion of course...Yea, I know he produces BOTH PARANG & PARANGSOCA, which is under the umbrella of PARANG, so let's once again refer to him as the undefeated ALL-ROUND PARANG MA$TA, 2006 to 2010!!!
The 27 year-old brother got PARANG in his blood! As for reigning PARANGSOCA champ, no doubt, it's Marcia Miranda! She's also consistent like Shawn...Man when you see they havin' shows in the Christmas season, featuring PARANG or PARANGSOCA icons, Shawn "Da Ma$tamind" Noel should be one of the performers on it! Only thing he wouldn't be able to multi-task, playing all the instruments, as on his top instrumental recordings. Saw Harold Faltermeyer do that on "Solid Gold" with a number of keyboards, back in the day, as he played "Axel F," which was the theme from the "Beverly Hills Cop" motion-picture...Harold could have done that though, as the music in "Axel F" was just synthesizers...
Never mind, Shawn could get a few of his musician friends to take the stage with him, and I can just hear people in the audience..."iz he who play that!"...Yea, one day...
Now EVERYBODY knows about Timbaland, the producer, and as an artiste, when he drops an album featuring some of the top vocalists around. How come after all this time, it's only when Shawn SINGS ("De Tail Gone," "Rum & Roti" etc.) that his name is mentioned?!
I think every now and again, when playing any of the above Parang instrumentals by Da $pirit$ on radio, broadcasters should inform listeners that's it's actually one brother, that is Shawn "Da Ma$tamind" Noel playing all the instruments on the track. MOST everybody knows, and talks about producers Quincy Jones &; Timbaland, and our own Pelham Goddard's work on quite a number of winning Road March tunes, and his recognizable keyboard playing through the years on various artistes' tracks. Ma$tamind has to be recognized in a big way like those guys above! It's called being a household name!
As I go, one day soon, I want to hear the youth say "Ma$tamind produce THIS" or "Ma$tamind produce THAT" not only with his Christmas productions, but anything he put his hands on...
blaze de fire, show me yuh lighter, tonite ....!...
Now EVERYBODY knows about Timbaland, the producer, and as an artiste, when he drops an album featuring some of the top vocalists around. How come after all this time, it's only when Shawn SINGS ("De Tail Gone," "Rum & Roti" etc.) that his name is mentioned?!
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| Shawn "Ma$tamind" Noel |
I think every now and again, when playing any of the above Parang instrumentals by Da $pirit$ on radio, broadcasters should inform listeners that's it's actually one brother, that is Shawn "Da Ma$tamind" Noel playing all the instruments on the track. MOST everybody knows, and talks about producers Quincy Jones &; Timbaland, and our own Pelham Goddard's work on quite a number of winning Road March tunes, and his recognizable keyboard playing through the years on various artistes' tracks. Ma$tamind has to be recognized in a big way like those guys above! It's called being a household name!
As I go, one day soon, I want to hear the youth say "Ma$tamind produce THIS" or "Ma$tamind produce THAT" not only with his Christmas productions, but anything he put his hands on...
blaze de fire, show me yuh lighter, tonite ....!...
If there is nothing else the Caribbean can always boast of is the wealth of talent that represents the islands. Shazelle is no exception, she is young, talented, full of energy and not to mention beautiful. Her style of music is not something that we have grown accustomed to hearing in Trinidad and Tobago and by extension the Caribbean. But her music has been taking her places, enabling her to measure her success thus far. Shazelle took a small break from her music to talk to Entertainment Macco and one thing is definitely clear, Shazelle is in love, with music and she has no intention of stopping anytime soon.
Entertainment Macco: Who is Shazelle?
Shazelle: “First of all I have to say that I am 100% Trini because people usually think I am from elsewhere. I am fun loving and I like all types of music.”
Entertainment Macco: What is your given name?
Shazelle: “Shazelle Gobin”
Entertainment Macco: All of a sudden your name is popping up all over the place (in a good way) what is the cause of this?
Shazelle: “I would love to know where you heard my name popping up but I am glad that it is. I would say that it is from the radio stations. We in Trinidad and Tobago listen to everything or almost but it is mostly the Soca and the chutney that gets played the most as far as local music is concerned. However Hot 93 and 95.1 are the only two stations that I can safely say play my music. I have my videos on Synergy and Tempo so maybe that is it, maybe that is why my name is popping up.”
Entertainment Macco: What part of Trinidad are you from?
Shazelle: “Chaguanas”
Entertainment Macco: Ah ha a central chick!
Entertainment Macco: Describe you style of music, what genre is it?
Shazelle: “It is Pop Dance Music.”
Entertainment Macco: That’s what it is called! You learn something new everyday.
Entertainment Macco: I understand that you were discovered by Ivan Berry, what was your initial reaction when you were approached by him?
Shazelle: “Well it really didn’t happen in that way, my story isn’t one of those fairy tales and I will tell you what happened. Now I always had a love for music and singing; I came up from the church choir and I also was in a Pop Rock Band but I was trying to find a way to sing regardless of what stage of my life I was at. I went through all my schooling, got my degree and stuff but love for music always remained a constant factor.”
Entertainment Macco: Right! Education is important
Shazelle: “So one day I was going to work, typical day and I was stuck in between two people in a taxi in traffic and I heard an advertisement on the radio that COTT was having a music conference at Crown Plaza and it was the last day. Then and there I decided I had to attend so I skipped work; I called in sick. I got there pretty late and I met a lot of people, Ivan was one of the speakers that day. Ivan and I kept in contact and I was learning about him and vice versa. What happened after was that I was going to Canada for Vacation and Ivan invited me to me come up to work with his songwriters.”
Entertainment Macco: Ahha…..
Shazelle: “I had the opportunity to work with Rupert Gayle and I wrote “Elevator” with him actually. After we completed the writing process I had to do a demo, when Rupert heard my voice he suggested that I sing the song and Ivan agreed. I went up for song writing and ended up singing, a month later I shot the video for “Elevator” and later on the video for “Pick me up”…So there you have it.”
Entertainment Macco: I must congratulate you on your image, who is responsible for you image?
Shazelle: “I have stylists for the videos which will include wardrobe, hair and makeup but we work together because I have to be comfortable.”
Entertainment Macco: Do you have any sort of input as far as your image is concerned?
Shazelle: “Like for “Pick me up” they wanted to put me in a bra and thong and I definitely was not wearing that and we compromised. There are some things I will not wear, they come up with the ideas and I say yes or no.”
Entertainment Macco: Take me down memory lane Shazelle, when did it all begin for you, musically?
Shazelle: “I always wanted to sing but I just couldn’t say it to my parents because it wasn’t realistic, however they always supported me. I was in a pop rock band in 2002 and we were horrible, every one was very talented in the band. It always is/was very fulfilling when you are doing something that you love regardless if it music or not and regardless of what you are going through. Music, singing and dancing makes me feel better every time.”
Entertainment Macco: Do you have children?
Shazelle: “No children yet but I have a soft spot for kids. I am hoping that whatever success I have regardless of big or small I want to always do stuff with kids. There are a lot of social issues and we need to take care of the children because the reality is that they are the future.”
Entertainment Macco: In the industry, do you think you are taken seriously or do you think you are seen by the industry gate keepers (men) as just another pretty face that they can get one over on?
Shazelle: “Honestly I am extremely protected…nothing happens with me that doesn’t go through my manager or team. Even before they started to work with me as an artiste I was trying to learn more about the industry, in doing so I realized it is a very difficult one. I have not had any issues, I am so protected and nothing comes to me. The people that I have dealt with so far have been great or supportive but it is a crazy industry and you have to be careful. If you don’t know what you are about you can be taken down the wrong road.”
Entertainment Macco: Has there ever been a situation where you were inappropriately treated or approached by a male in the industry, if yes how did you deal with such a situation?
Shazelle: “No that has never happened to me. There has never been anything or anyone that has been out of line and that is very deliberate because of how Ivan and the team are; not only with me but with all the other female artistes. I am one of those kind of women who if you do that to me I will do it to you but I can’t do that in this kind of industry. I know it is crazy for females in the industry and I was quite scared to trust people who are involved in it but after meeting my team that feeling changed.”
Entertainment Macco: I understand that your music is taking you all over the world; can you tell me some of the places you have visited thus far?
Shazelle: “I went to Lebanon, Australia, Egypt, Bahrain, New York and Los Angeles.”
Entertainment Macco: Which visit was the most striking to you and why?
Shazelle: “Egypt because when you go into a foreign territory you have no idea how people will respond to you. I went on tour with another artiste, Massari; he is like the Michael Jackson of the Middle East and I opened up the shows for him. My music was playing over there before I got there and it was never a bad situation. The audience was very receptive, there were over 10 000 people who were excited and cheering me on, I felt like a Destra or Machel in Trinidad. I have a lot of Egyptian fans and I love that, to be able to touch people and have them appreciate my music. I also went to the pyramids; I will never forget that trip…”
Entertainment Macco: I can only imagine the experience…
Shazelle: “Ohhh…Lebanon is just as nice they party hard like in Trinidad, I was shocked to see that they do. It has been a great adventure and a learning experience thus far.”
Entertainment Macco: A lot of people are under the impression that once you are born in Trinidad & Tobago the only acceptable genre to sing is Soca Music, of course you have proven many wrong. My question to you is whether or not you would ever consider performing or recording anything Soca?
Shazelle: “Yeah I love music and all kinds. I love Soca I won’t mind doing it but it is just not about singing it is also a business strategy; you have to let people know what you doing, you have to set your foundation, my global image and when people know who I am and my talent then I can try other things. I definitely want to do that in the future though.”
Entertainment Macco: Judging from your tours and performances, which one of your songs is the most received and enjoyed by the masses in your opinion?
Shazelle: “In different places it is different, “Stronger faster” is one, “Elevator” is my first single so people tend to know that one, “I need love” is dong really well too…I think I am still growing on everybody.”
Entertainment Macco: In your opinion what separates you from others in the industry?
Shazelle: “I really want to show Trinidad and Tobago up, I want to put us on the map musically and let people know that we can do some much different genres other than Soca and Chutney. What will separate me is my focus and ambition to put us on the map.”
Entertainment Macco: How did the remixed version of "Elevator" come about, why Shurwayne Winchester?
Shazelle: “Ivan was working with Shurwayne at that point in time and I was releasing “Elevator”, I wanted to get people to appreciate what I was doing and something that could blend in here. Everything worked out really great and we also did an Indian version to it as well..”
Entertainment Macco: Do you listen to Soca/Calypso?
Shazelle: “Off course I do..I love my Soca and Calypso!”
Entertainment Macco: Who is your favourite Soca artiste and Why?
Shazelle: “Destra…I love her voice but I love Fay Ann as well because she just takes over and commands the crowd. In terms of music, songs and voice I really like Destra, she is my first pick.”
Entertainment Macco: How do you decide what topics you are going to sing about?
Shazelle: “I don’t really think about it too much...if I know I have a writing session for a week and I might have something that affected me that may be a possible topic and sometimes it is based on something that happened spontaneously. Like I went to this new club when I was in LA. and I was standing in line looking at all these beautiful women and all the women were going after the men that had status. So I was there with Rupert Gayle and there was this one woman in particular that was there looking at him and making random conversations with him just for status; so she could be in the VIP booth and that was how I did “I need love” that is how that song and the whole idea came up. We don’t have a set formula.”
Entertainment Macco: What can we expect from Shazelle in the not so distant future?
Shazelle: “I have soooo much expectations of myself…I have not pushed me and my brand so much yet, so I will be working on that. Ivan and they have been laying down the foundation slowly, within the next year I really hope that things really happen. I am looking for positive outcomes but whatever measure of success I have I plan to bring it back home and help children in need and the less fortunate.”
Entertainment Macco: Tell me hun, how does the opposite sex respond to you?
Shazelle: “I think men are very predictable, when I go to the gym people are always trying to talk to me but as a young woman people are going to be gaping, nobody has ever been out of line or rude, just the regular stuff.”
Entertainment Macco: What is the weirdest thing a male fan/admirer has ever done to get you attention?
Shazelle: “No one has tried or done anything crazy as yet. I think people are very surprised by the kind of music I am doing. They are just usually very excited; both male and female and I also think guys are sometimes afraid of me.”
Entertainment Macco: What do you think is sexiness?
Shazelle: “For me I get bored easily, so today I might want to be really sexy and wear something that is a little risky/sexy but classy has to go together. But if a woman can wear a t-shirt and jeans and look great and be sexy then that is sexy. It is an attitude and personality, clothes don’t wear me I wear the clothes.”
Entertainment Macco: When you are not performing, recording or writing music what do you do for fun?
Shazelle: “My life is so crazy and I have crazy people in it. My friends and family keep me busy. I have experienced a lot and I am seeing life in a more serious way and through my dealings with people I gain great knowledge from them, I find people quite fascinating. When I am home, it is basically the movies with a small group of girlfriends and guy friends that I hang out with. I don’t really do clubs we hang out and do random stuff, like the beach and spur of the moment stuff. I only keep positive people around me who make me laugh…”
Entertainment Macco: Are you a full-time artiste? (If no what is your other career)
Shazelle: “Full-time artiste since last year February.”
Entertainment Macco: Is there any other career you would have chosen other that music?
Shazelle: “In the arts or acting and I still don’t mind doing that…I have a very soft side of me and a soft spot for children I would get into something with children. As a society we are loosing morals and respect and not just in Trinidad and Tobago, it is all over the world.”
Entertainment Macco: As a Woman what is the most frustrating part of the industry for you?
Shazelle: “I have not experienced it as yet but I know if I am out there it is being fit all the time because I like to eat and I like to be practical about it; the image and fitness is an issue..”
Entertainment Macco: What advice would you give a newcomer to the industry?
Shazelle: “First of all it is so easy to have doubts about yourself, people will always compare and hate, know yourself, trust in yourself and in God, stay positive and help someone along the way, know yourself and what you are worth. Always remember to love what you do and do not forget the reason you are doing it; I am doing it because I love doing it..”
Entertainment Macco: If we interviewed your closest friends give us 3 words they would use to describe you?
Shazelle: “Crazy, serious, fun”
Entertainment Macco: What are you complimented about the most?
Shazelle: “Down to earth and kind, people don’t expect that, they assume I will be pompous and bossy…”
Entertainment Macco: I know there are real life maccos, how do you keep your personal and business lives separate and out of the mouths of the maccos?
Shazelle: “I have a very low key life and a small group of friends; I don’t let a lot of people in my life I am not one of those people who are looking for a lot of people in my life. I have been hurt before so I am careful, because I have such a low key lifestyle there is not much that people could say and my life is an open book. I don’t know if things will be different when things start speeding up, I am not at the height of fame but I am not going to change or hang out with a new bunch of people, I will remain with my positive friends.”
Entertainment Macco: I really just want to say thank you Shazelle for letting EM into your life.
Shazelle: “It was my pleasure and thank you for allowing me.”
Entertainment Macco: Do you have any closing words?
Shazelle: “I really just want to say to everyone to keep their heads strong and keep going after their dreams and goals, I always had strong belief that something would happen for me and it is occurring as we speak. Never doubt yourself and do not give up on your dreams.”
Entertainment Macco: Well said Shazelle...
Pick Me Up - Shazelle
I Need Love - Shazelle
