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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
