January Updates! [Midwest tour, new album, new video]

Behold all things are made new.. January is all about planning for February and beyond. Glad to get back on task after the insanity of the last few months. Thank you for all the prayers, condolences, and positive energy many of you sent regarding the loss of my mother and brother-in-law. I appreciate all of you and thank you for your love & support. MUAH! Alright now, shout out to my new assistant, Lyday Patterson, who will be working to help me make an impact both as an artist and as a company, Starting Something Productions, Inc. Big tings a gwan! And February is a BUSY month. I'll be in Texas for the latter half of the month with a stop in Seattle, but next week, I hit the road next week for a mini-tour in the midwest: 2/5- University of Central Missouri 2/6- Avila University 2/7- University of Missouri- St Louis For a complete list of dates, go to my Calendar. Hope to see you soon! And if you want to book me, drop me a line at info@shanellegabriel.com. ------ Aim High: The Album  I've been in the JahRock'n Productions studio ALL week getting this new album wrapped. AIM HIGH is going to be an AMAZING project. The next few months are going to be intense, but I'm really looking forward to sharing my stories, my poetry, my music, my lyrics with you. This album features some dope friends of mine: Kel Spencer, Livewire, Heesun Lee, and GreyMatter, all dope artists that rep NYC as well as the awesome Willie Hyn who's holds it down in Atlanta and a cameo from YouTube star/ comedian/ poet SpokenReasons. Production by Chris "Theory" Bradley, DJ Static, Marshall "Soulful" Jones, and Team JahRock'n. I can't wait to let you all hear it!     ------ Video: "Daddy's Girls" (Live from Urban Grind in Atlanta) Here's a poem I created for my father. I'm a bonafied Daddy's Girl, and proud of it. Thought I'd share my first off-book live performance I did at ATL's Urban Grind last month. To see it CLICK HERE-> http://youtu.be/XzBzzCi7Qbo ------- Till next time, Stay Blessed!! Shanelle Gabriel www.twitter.com/ShanelleG www.shanellegabriel.com

Photo Recap: "Intensities" Show featuring Shanelle Gabriel & The Hypnotic Brass Band

My show at Highline Ballroom was awesome! I think, with the exception of one minor glitch during my cover of "Love On Top", this was the most on point show I've done with my band. We performed Crushing Hard, Love On Top by Beyonce, More Than One of a Kind, Vanity, and Aim High. Later on that night, I performed a poem with the Hypnotic Brass Band (who killed their set as usual!). It was an amazing night! Here are some photos:

(Taken from http://atane.tumblr.com at "AUDIOPHILE LIFE")

 Briana, Me, and Kamaala (my dope background singers) before the show.

 The Hypnotic Brass Band rockin' it!

Awesome set!

Searching for the Prototype... (Blog Repost)

Summer is here, and summer love is in the air. The beginning stages of something new is always beautiful. I'm absolutely addicted to Andre 3000's "Prototype," because it speaks on this and has such a smooth vibe to it.

"I hope that you're the one....If not, you are the prototype. We'll tiptoe to the sun, and do thangs, I know you'd like. I think I'm in looooove again." -"Prototype"- Andre 3000 from "The Love Below"

Let's all think back to the days when you first met that special someone, whether they are still present in your life or they've gone on with theirs. It's those moments walking holding hands through a park, laughing at randomness on the phone, the moments where you both realized that you felt the same way about each other- these moments make us want to fall in love again and again, even when we know that love doesn't always work out.

Many people close their hearts to the new experience, faulting past hurts and blaming previous relationships for the bitterness and skepticism they hold like concrete around their hearts. But by not realizing that people come into your life for a reason and a season and by focusing on WHAT WENT WRONG, they miss out on the times to smile at and new possibilities of smiling. Maybe he or she wasn't or isn't the one, but they could very well be the prototype of the one to come:

Pro·to·type 1 : an original model on which something is patterned.

This new prospect may just be "The One"...or they can lead you to the person you are meant to be with. They can show you the true you as well as give you an idea of what qualities you would want in"The One." This doesn't only relate to romantic relationships but friendships as well. Be open to new loves and people to love. It's okay to fall in love a few times; third, fourth, or eighth time is a charm. The risk is well worth it. Enjoy love in the here and now, and remember to say "stank you smelly much" to the person standing right in front of you now who's waiting to see if they could be that special friend to you.

Yes the video is creepy, but listen to tha MUSICCCCC!

"The Fact Is (I Need You)" by Jill Scott on VH1 Storytellers

This is one of my favorite performers sharing one of my favorite songs. Ms. Jill Scott's "The Fact Is" always moves me. I'm very much a Daddy's Girl so it speaks to my spirit. Such a great way to say that the men in our life are important and very necessary no matter how strong we are. 

Jill Scott Storytellers Performance 3 - Music Videos - Live Performances

Footage and Photos from my performance at Highline Ballroom!

For those of you that missed it, here are some video and photos from my April 19th Concert at the illustrious Highline Ballroom to benefit the SLE Lupus Foundation!! NYC! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks Ebby from Ebby Agu Fotography for the great images!