Shazza, the enigmatic Singaporean music virtuoso, is orchestrating a narrative that resonates across uncharted dimensions. Riding the tidal wave of her inaugural opus, ‘Chapter One,’ unleashed this July, Shazza, born Shareefa Aminah, is now poised to captivate the stage for her maiden recital at Esplanade’s Recital Studio, marking a resplendent segment of the venue’s illustrious 2023 Mosaic Music Series. Not content with this astronomical feat, she concurrently embarks on a new academic year at university.
With the fervor of a supernova, the 22-year-old chanteuse, a veritable maestro, refutes the notion of being beleaguered, asserting her blessed status amidst the tempestuous currents of her creative pursuits. “While assembling this magnum opus for the first time, the enormity of the task was occasionally overwhelming,” she concedes. “However, an exhilarating undertone suffused each step!”
The spotlighted event of her upcoming tour de force is a captivating 90-minute soiree that boasts a symphonic cortege of 20 harmonies, augmented by ethereal guest performers, and an unprecedented, “bewildering” ensemble of 11 instrumentalists. The audacious musical vision, a manifestation of her father’s unswerving encouragement, reverberates with a three-piece string ensemble. “My father’s ardor is immeasurable. His refrain, ‘If we choose this path, we do so unwaveringly,’ resounds in my ears,” she quips. “A case of go colossal or return to the threshold of beginnings!”
“I am invigorated by this zealous drive, propelling me to embrace uncharted undertakings,” she adds, her voice carrying the exhilaration and conviction of a rising crescendo.
A gem nested in the sparkling repertoire of this lauded artist is her debut album, ‘Chapter One,’ a sonic mosaic that unfurls not only Shazza’s felicitous performative abilities but also showcases her lyrical acumen. This venture into composition wasn’t a realm she had initially envisaged, yet as an innately gifted storyteller, she endeavored to unveil a relatable narrative. Conceived within the embrace of indie pop harmonies intertwined with country folk flavors, and resonating with diverse hues from Norah Jones to the Black Eyed Peas, the collection traverses the melodious topography of nascent love, poignant heartbreak, and corporate ecosystems.
In an exclusive tête-à-tête with NME, Shazza, the sonic sorceress, unveiled the enigma behind the inception of her musical chronicles, shedding light on how even a meltdown triggered by the mere thought of Harry Styles birthed a stroke of genius.
Questioned about the genesis of her profound love for music and lyricism, she muses, “From my earliest days, my mother serenaded me, and I discovered an innate proclivity for vocal expression. However, the epiphany of songwriting arrived through a fortuitous confluence of factors. As an adolescent, I reveled in perusing the lyric booklets housed within CD jewel cases. Words have perpetually captivated me, and an array of phrases frequently engaged in a merry dance within my cognitive sphere.”
“At 11, I ventured into the intriguing endeavor of songcraft, and the experience bestowed an immensely gratifying sensation of birthing a comprehensive masterpiece. Thereafter, the trajectory was unmistakable – I became irrevocably smitten with this enchanting art.”
Intrigued, the interviewer inquired about the maiden composition in Shazza’s chronicles, prompting a fond recollection. “The inaugural opus christened ‘Peace,’ was an elegy for a love extinguished, although at that juncture, I hadn’t encountered love’s crucible,” she chuckles. “The composition unfolded as a product of whimsical inspiration, even though the thematic tapestry perplexingly mirrored my inexperience in love. This melancholic melody resonated with a palpable profundity of emotions.”
Bridging to the subject of her recent opus, ‘Chapter One,’ Shazza divulged her creative crucible, where workplace tumult culminated in the creation of ‘Pity Party.’ “The crucible of inspiration for ‘Pity Party’ was an amalgamation of my internship’s ambiance. To be candid, it wasn’t influenced by the people; rather, it was the corporate ethos and the relentless, relentless grind that fostered an awakening of my loathsome sentiments towards the status quo.”
“Moreover, my oeuvre embraces a gamut of rite-of-passage junctures. For instance, ‘None Of My Business’ germinated from the emergence of a relationship between Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde.”
As intrigue danced in the air, Shazza elucidated the intriguing narrative behind this odd yet absorbing connection. “My adoration for Harry Styles was fervent, and the universe appeared awash with news of his romantic entanglement with Olivia Wilde. The news plunged my world into momentary turmoil,” she reminisces. “Engulfed in the digital maelstrom, a coherent chorus surfaced – the idea that this was none of our concern. This revelatory moment catalyzed the inception of the titular track, an epiphany seeded in an unforeseen source!”
Probed on the creative transformation of seemingly mundane incidents into resonant lyrics, Shazza shared her cherished perspective. “My repository boasts an array of seemingly inane anecdotes underpinning my compositions, and I cherish this phenomenon. Such idiosyncratic origins encapsulate the quintessence of songcraft,” she asserts. “Remarkably, the mundane metamorphoses into a repository of profound sentiments.”
Shifting the discourse, the interviewer delved into the fascinating parable of ‘Build A Home,’ often coined as an anthem of supremacy for Build-To-Order flats. Shazza, donning the mantle of a raconteur, elaborated on the origin of this jest. “During performances, I script my narratives meticulously to avert losing my flow, interposing whimsical jests as well. A comedian at heart, I weave comedy into my repartee,” she shares. “The epithet ‘BTO song’ transpired as one such quip, striking a chord with my audience. It’s an inside joke, resonating with listeners!”
On a playful note, Shazza extended a mock offer to the Housing & Development Board (HDB). “HDB, if you’re attuned to this refrain, connect with me!” she chortles, an embodiment of effervescent charisma.
Venturing into the terrain of genre exploration, the interviewer queried Shazza on her intuitive navigation across diverse musical frontiers. “Before my regular musical forays, my oeuvre was rooted in the realm of alternative folk. With time, I inculcated pop sonorities deliberately into my auditory library, catalyzing a harmonious union with my musical tapestry,” she elucidates. “Currently, my compositions encompass an organic fusion of pop nuances infused with folk and country resonances.”
As the conversation embraced the limitless horizons of experimentation, Shazza unveiled her aspirations. “Recently, R&B has commandeered my playlist. Although uncharted territories, I haven’t explored this realm
fully yet. My tryst with R&B is imminent, albeit still veiled in the future. The trinity of pop, folk, and country are my mainstay, but envisaging an R&B detour is tantalizing,” she reflects.
This leads to the intriguing intersection of Shazza’s artistic resonance with the uncommon cadence of country music, which, despite being a rarity in Singapore’s musical panorama, finds solace in Shazza’s soul. “Country music, a nonpareil among local music genres, finds an anchor within me due to my early exposure. An ardent aficionado, the rustic charm of country tunes resonates with me,” she explains. “A fervor for country melodies is embedded in my core; I’m unapologetically immersed in its ‘yee-haw’ exuberance!”
The conversation pivots towards Shazza’s transition from the bucolic intimacy of Baybeats on the Esplanade’s Lawn to the grandeur of the Recital Studio, an evolution that elicits a fusion of gratitude and aspiration. “The orchestration of my appearance at Esplanade’s Recital Studio is akin to an orchestral crescendo, a chronicle of ardent pursuits culminating in an unprecedented event. The expanse of this opportunity is yet to sink in!” she admits. “The vista before me is unbounded; my inaugural ticketed showcase renders a sense of exhilaration unparalleled.”
The dialogue with Shazza converges upon the contemplation of whether her inaugural album, ‘Chapter One,’ serves as the denouement or prologue to her symphonic chronicles. “I consider this juncture as the finale of ‘Chapter One.’ A constellation of endeavors has propelled me to this juncture, a summit that crystallizes a prolonged trajectory,” she asserts. “Gazing beyond this zenith, I embrace uncharted horizons, venturing into unexplored vistas. Chapter Two is awash with unchartered territories, a tapestry awaiting my indelible imprint.”
As the curtains inch closer to descent, Shazza provides an enigmatic peek into the burgeoning narrative of ‘Chapter Two,’ an album that beckons with intent. “Chapter Two is poised to showcase an intentional ensemble of melodies. In the approaching year, an album, a magnum opus sculpted with meticulous dedication, will be unveiled,” she reveals. “This orchestration will embody cherished fragments of my soul, an assortment of melodies resonating deeply. Anticipate a melodic alchemy interlaced with poignant narratives!”
Shazza’s enchanting overture, ‘Chapter One,’ continues its symphonic journey, poised to harmonize with the hallowed walls of the Esplanade Recital Studio on September 2, a quintessential chapter in the Mosaic Music Series 2023. As the sonic enchantress evolves her narrative, the world watches, poised to be ensnared in the melodious embrace of her compositions, an orchestra of emotions guided by an unwavering virtuoso. The horizons are infinite, as is Shazza’s melodic odyssey, an allegory of passion, ambition, and uncharted promise.
