Passion Series: Shayon Daniels, Producer/Writer/Artist
"My Grandmother used to sing in nightclubs when she was younger; so she was always a supporter of my music."
After a hot shoot up in the Bronson Canyon's, I headed up to Glendale for this shoot with Mr. Shayon Daniels. Shayon is just one of the artist's that Justin Garza works with. Our shoot was scheduled for 4 pm, but I got there super early. When I arrived, I couldn't figure out where the studio was, so I headed into a near by Starbucks for a nice dark cup of coffee. I texted the group chat I was in with Shayon and Justin to tell them that I had arrived early. "Come up," said Justin, in which I replied, "where's it at? Couldn't find it?" Once I figured it out, I walked up and into the lobby, where I was greeted by a low hanging chandelier and gold plaques that covered the walls for the Black Eyed Peas.
Oh, did I forget to mention that I was shooting Shayon in the original Black Eyed Peas studio...yea, no big deal. "Here" I texted, "Ok I'll come get you" said Shayon...and out he comes in dark denim and a dope motorcycle jacket. We dap eachother with a hug, and head into the studio. There I see Justin, where we hugged and asked how eachother was doing. Then I get introduced to a blue eyed, blond haired, Australian, by the name of Dani. (Hopefully a Passion Interview with her in the near future)
They were finishing up a conversation of working together, and before Dani leaves I was blessed with an acoustic serenade. Afterwards I got a tour of what to me was like music history. Just imagining all the music and artist that was recorded with in those walls, still gives me goosebumps.
Shayon shows me the different outfits that he had brought for the shoot, and I picked out the ones I thought would work well, and we got started. In the little time that we talked, and from what I know from Justin; Shayon is one hardworking man. They've been working together for about 5 years, and Shayon's album is due out soon.
Images by Mark Mendoza - Would you mind introducing yourself, and telling us who Shayon is?
Shayon Daniels - I’m Shayon, I’m a Producer/Writer and Artist here in LA.
IBMM - How did you get started in music?
SD - I started teaching myself piano at the age of 6. My family couldn’t afford to get me lessons and we couldn’t afford a piano; so I spent most of my breaks in school playing in the band room, or wherever I could find a piano. I started with piano because I needed a way to write songs, and I started singing because I needed someone to sing those songs, and then I started producing because I needed to hear the songs finished. Everything sort of came together from a greater need. My older brother Taiwan, exposed me to so much music. Prince, Seal, Outkast, Led Zepplin, Michael Jackson, and etc. As I got older I discovered artists on my own, like Coldplay, The Beatles, and Kanye West. Growing up, my Mother was in a toxic relationship and they would argue all of the time. I would locked myself in my bathroom with a note pad and a keyboard and wrote songs to escape everything around me. I was very much a quiet kid, but not a shy one. My Grandmother used to sing in nightclubs when she was younger; so she was always a supporter of my music.
IBMM - What does music do for you?
SD - Music gives me an opportunity to contribute to the world. There’s a song for every occasion. For laughing, for celebrating, for crying alone, for everything. I get to be a part of something divine in that way. I’m obsessed with super heroes, and creating music makes me feel like one.
IBMM - What has been your biggest accomplishment thus far, or proudest moment?
SD - Opening my recording studio, JENGA Productions, in the former Black Eyed Peas studio with my Partners Nicci and Jim Funicelli. Will.i.am is a big influence of mine, and it’s amazing to be able to work in a space where they made so many hits.
IBMM - What was the hardest lesson learned in your journey so far?
SD - That you could spend your whole life doing something and not have anyone know you did it except for you, and the Universe, but maybe that’s ok.
IBMM - If you could tell your 18 year old self anything, what would it be?
SD - You have to keep going. You’re not going to feel like it all of the time, but it’s what you were made to do.
IBMM - What's one piece of advice you could give for anyone wanting to do what you do?
SD - Love it, and go through the process. There’s no going around it, over it, or under it, you just have to go through the process.
IBMM - Who are your inspirations?
SD - Prince, Michael Jackson, Seal, Coldplay, Stevie Wonder, Timbaland, Max Martin, Pharrell, Will.i.am, Danny Elfman, Ryan Tedder, Greg Kurstin, and Sia.
IBMM - Do you have any favorite quotes?
SD - Whatever it takes, and then some.
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this with me Shayon. I look forward to working with you more in the future, and I can't wait to see your success come to fruition.
Make sure to follow his Passion through:
www.soundcloud.com/shayonmusic
Spotify/Shayon
