Indie. Quirky. Unique. Those are just a few ways that one may choose to describe singer and songwriter Shelita Burke. For the last few months, she’s been constantly popping up on my radar, and having taken some time to catch up, and learn more about her; it’s easy to see why! She was on NPR’s list of artists that I need to keep on my radar and — as well — that MTV artist status that artists seem to brag about in their press releases all the time? Yeah, she’s ranked in the top 10. Needless to say, there’s something about her that is clicking with listeners. Her first EP, Transfixed, is a mellow, acoustic vibe that highlight her hauntingly unique voice and personal songwriting. As a sidebar, It also reached #14 on Amazon’s top music chart. She almost — but not quite — puts me in the mind of Corinne Baily Rae, only slightly from a cadence perspective.
Her grind is incredible; I’d be remiss not to mention that. She’s been touring overseas; playing self-generated dates in France, Japan, Canada, Wales, and more. This globetrotter perspective [and residing in both Paris and LA] has been slowly amalgamating with her sound, and her upcoming EP, Five, seems to pick up where her first EP left off, with an EDM-infused remix of the title track. She’s leading the new project, which will be available this October, with the single “Belong,” super cool track I spent the last few sweaty summer evenings listening to on repeat.
What’s unique about her is that there’s this certain [je be c’est quoi] about her music that you’re unable to put your finger on until you explore her liner notes; she’s been experimenting with Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR). She explains it as “a pleasurable tingling ‘brain tickle’ effect. She — consequently — incorporates unique vocal runs into her music that give listeners what she calls “brain orgasms.” Her quirky vocals make love to your mind; tell me that isn’t the most unique thing you’ve ever heard! I dare you.
Her new EP was produced by Bellringer, a wildly successful producer whose worked with the likes of Diddy, Nicki Minaj, Usher, and Britney Spears — not to mentions brands like McDonald’s. She’s in good hands. The first single is an exciting look at what we have to look forward to this October. In the meantime, get familiar with her work — Shelita Burke is an artist who is worth your time. If you don’t believe NPR, and the legion of fans who’ve helped her climb the ranks as an MTV artist — or even the fans she’s earned one by one around the world on tour — then believe me. She’s a name you’ll hear about — sooner than later.
