Rapper, singer, drummer wants people to do what makes them happy
BY TIA CAROL JONES
Bianca Shaw grew up on the West side of Chicago and has been doing music her whole life. Inspired by the artist Bow Wow when She saw him rapping on Television; and thought if he could do it, so could she. Bianca wrote her first rap at the age of 11 years old and performed it at summer camp to a very pleased crowd.
Bianca’s mother was the choir director at church and made her and her sibling participate in the choir. Bianca developed
a natural ear from that early musical experience. Bianca and her sisters would make up Christian Rock songs and perform them for their parents.
Bianca’s brother would play music by artist such as Biggie Smalls and Mos Def. She remembered when her and her siblings would be jumping on the couch to the music. Bianca counts Prince as one of her musical influences, as well as
Whitney Houston, Etta James and Sheila E., who she also described as “the greats.” More contemporary influences include
Missy Elliott, Roddy Rich, Bia, Megan Thee Stallion and DaBaby. She also named Tupac, Biggie, Outkast. “There’s a plethora of artist [who influence me] and that’s why I feel I am the way I am with my sound because I pull from all of them,” she said.
Bianca got started in the music industry when she was in college and Brian Kenner made beats for her. That is when
she found her voice. Bianca performed a 30-minute set at Subterranean which began her professional career after having
twins.
Bianca has worked with Twista, Taylor Bennett and Chance the Rapper. For her, it is amazing to collaborate with other
artists who have a different way of creating. It is a very good experience for her to collaborate with different artists.
Bianca goes into the studio and mumbles what she feels, going off the energy of each song. She feels it, then she writes to it. She is really interested in the creative process of how other artists create music.
“I always think it’s fascinating. I’ve always been a person who wants to get in people’s heads a little bit,” she said.
Bianca’s recent project, “Get a Real Job,” features 10 songs and is described as genre blending. Bianca had been working on the project for quite some time. She wanted “Get a Real Job” to serve as encouragement for people in the midst of the pandemic.
“It’s something that has been told to me a couple of times. And, I’m sure that it’s been said to everyone else who doesn’t have what society deems as a societal standard for a nine-to-five,” she said.
Bianca wanted to give something to encourage creatives to keep going. She is using her story to connect with people
and sharing her truth with the public. “That’s all that matters. Us, as individuals, what we deem to be successful, what we deem to be professional,” she said.
Bianca learned a lot about herself during the pandemic. As a loner, she learned how to accept herself the ways she is. She is more confident in who she is now. Bianca is more comfortable in the studio, in her own setting, where people are not judging her for the way she creates. It might take a little longer, but she feels that is why her music is good because it comes to her naturally. She has an alter ego, “Shawsy,” that comes out when she is on-stage performing.
In the future, Bianca wants to do more festivals and performances where she can continue to speak her truth.
“I’m not in it to gain all the riches and lose my soul. I really want to help people. I’m hoping God would lead me and guide me to the people that need to be in my life,” she said.
For more information about Bianca Shaw, visit www.biancashaw.com and biancashawmusic on all social media platforms.
