There are many different layers to her vocal abilities. A diverse cultural background and love of many genres of music set the backdrop for her story. A native of Pittsburgh, PA. Shauna Mishel has always had a sort of spiritual connection with music. As a very small child her parents had to put a record player in room so that she would go to bed at night. She began recording early at the age of eight, she decided then that she would write her own songs. She also had a passion for writing rhym...
There are many different layers to her vocal abilities. A diverse cultural background and love of many genres of music set the backdrop for her story. A native of Pittsburgh, PA. Shauna Mishel has always had a sort of spiritual connection with music. As a very small child her parents had to put a record player in room so that she would go to bed at night. She began recording early at the age of eight, she decided then that she would write her own songs. She also had a passion for writing rhymes. By 11, she had become popular amongst her peers for her quick-witted verses and delivery, being one of Pittsburgh’s female mc’s. In her teen years she gained a little celebrity appearing weekly on live college radio; The University of Pittsburgh’s WPTS 98.5 FM , One of the new voices of hip-hop. “Hip-hop prepared me for my musical journey, It toughened me up. It was 99% male dominated and here I was this tall, bony girl; rockin’ with a skirt on , knee socks and sneakers, the only female in the cipher. I had to show and prove in order to gain the respect from my male counterparts," Says Shauna.At 12 years old she was already rapping her lyrics on local TV. A letter from Shauna’s Grade School Principal advised her mother to enroll her into a creative and performance arts high school . That summer Shauna auditioned for CAPA; and started classes . Several years later she broadened her listening audience and delightfully surprised her hip-hop peers with her reggae dancehall edge. Dubbed, Shauna Ranks “The Golden Voice of Pittsburgh”, her audience agreed. Dancehall took her across the world, It helped her development as an artist learning the business first hand on the road , she often traveled alone being her own manager. She has recorded dub-plate specials for sound systems globally gaining new fans. She has recorded a songs on The Youth Vibrations record label with the help of Producers, musicians,“ The Firehouse Crew” and The Legendary Engineer, Producer Bobby Digital at his studio in Jamaica. She has performed with many Jamaican music icons. Shauna Mishel has appeared as Shauna Ranks, on many local hip-hop albums. Earning praises from both producers and artists for her vocal versatility. In 2003 & 2004 Shauna won awards for both music genres, Best Hip-Hop Artist and Best Reggae Performer from The Sheridan Broadcasting Network and Pittsburgh’s Urban Radio Station WAMO FM 106. Winner three consecutive weeks on WAMO 106.7 FM’s Battle Of The Beats with dancehall track “ Big It Up,". She also performed at Pittsburgh’s Summer Jam. Shauna Mishel is known for her personally driven songwriting ability. She’s more than a Singer/Songwriter, she’s a Vocal Stylist. She has a signature sound, rich, melodic tones, she does her own backgrounds, harmonies etc. The Internet has also been another vehicle to help her reach audiences that she wouldn’t have been able to previously; Her songs have been charting since 2006 and haven’t stopped. Shauna Mishel was nominated Best Female Vocalist in Pittsburgh’s 2008 and 2011 Hip-hop Awards.
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