by danielle holian
Rising singer-songwriter Shelana Azora is turning heads with her music. Since the release of her debut EP, Epiphany, in 2019, the songstress has been working on her flow of singing and rapping along with her songwriting abilities. Citing musical influences from the likes of Eminem, Lauryn Hill, Aaliyah, and Rihanna, it's safe to say she is one musical artist to keep an eye out for. And with a versatile catalogue of music under her belt, she wants her listeners to be the person they always knew they could be because they owe it to themselves to be free. Unclear Magazine caught up with Shelana Azora to discuss all things music and her latest single “No Time.”
If someone has never listened to your music, how would you describe your sound to them in three words?
Shelana Azora: “Warm, melodic, resonant.”
Who or what were your musical influences growing up — and have they differed over time?
SA: “I have a lot of musical influences that have helped shape my artistry today. Everybody that knew me as a child knew how much I was obsessed with Alicia Keys! I always used to say that Alicia ‘taught me how to sing’ because I remember first listening to If I Ain’t Got You on the radio and then belting it at the top of my lungs. From then on I fell in love with singing and decided I wanted to be a singer that wrote my own songs. Mariah, Whitney, and Beyoncé were also artists that taught me a lot about how to use my voice.”
What inspired your new single “No Time?”
SA: “If I’m being honest, I was having a spell of self-doubt for a little while and I wanted to make a song that would not only motivate me to get up in the morning, but hopefully help someone else. Get It Together by India.Arie was literally playing on repeat and it inspired me to write a song that I could feel uplifted by. The lyrics are literal affirmations for me — ‘this is your moment, all you gotta do is focus.’”
Can you share with us why you wanted to make this song in particular a single? What was that turning point moment for you?
SA: “I think this song stands out from anything else I’ve released because it’s a whole new vibe. I love the pop, dance, and R&B fusion that Taco Social captured so well with the production. It literally sounds like a sprinkle of joy and I’m excited to be able to release it as my second single of the year.”
And how has it been for you personally creating music during the pandemic?
SA: “It was definitely a character building time and it made me realize how much I couldn’t live without music. I feel blessed to have been able to write what I would consider my best music so far.”
What do you want listeners to take away from your music?
SA: “I want my listeners to know that they’re not alone and that so many of us battle with the same demons. If I can spread some positivity, love, hope and light, I can feel like my love for this craft was all worthwhile.”
And finally, what’s one fun fact about yourself for our readers?
SA: “I was born in Dominica so there’s a whole different side to my music and culture that I’ve yet to explore! I’m excited to be able to go back home and reconnect with my roots — I know that the music I’ll create then will be on another level.”