EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH UNDENIABLE STAR: SHAB

In a refreshing blend of new yet nostalgic, the gorgeous and talented artist Shab is set to stun the world with her latest single, “Voodoo.” The track is an exciting interpolation mashup of her first co-written and released song, “Spell on Me,” and the club anthem “Lean Back” by Fat Joe. With an eclectic mix of influences ranging from hip-hop and R&B to dance, techno, rock, and country, Shab’s music embodies a unique and evolving sound. In this exclusive interview with Gen-Z, she shares the inspiration behind “Voodoo,” the creative process, and the experience of collaborating with a hip-hop legend.

GenZ: SO, TELL US ABOUT YOUR MOST RECENT RELEASE, “VOODOO”?

Shab: It’s titled “Voodoo” – an interpolation mashup of the first recorded song that I co-wrote and released, called “Spell on Me,” and Fat Joe’s club anthem “Lean Back”.

GenZ: YOUR MUSIC HAS A DISTINCT AND EVOLVING SOUND. WHICH ARTISTS DO YOU THINK HAVE INFLUENCED YOUR STYLE?

Shab: That’s hard to say. I wouldn’t say ‘sound like’ as I’m constantly forging and evolving my own sound. However, I’m influenced by and admire Sia and Shakira, as well as Lady Gaga’s stage presence.

GenZ: WE’D LOVE TO KNOW WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE “VOODOO.” COULD YOU SHARE THE STORY BEHIND IT?

Shab: It started with the thought of reworking “Lean Back” – It’s one of my favorite beats ever, and I remember first going clubbing and every time that track would get played, it would be an instant party starter. The two tracks — “Spell on Me” and “Lean Back” — work seamlessly with each other, and Fat Joe’s new verse is fire. Hip-hop and R&B were my earliest influences growing up in Baltimore. Clubbing in D.C. then exposed me to the world of dance and techno music. Texas introduced me to rock & country music, so my musical education is always getting a ‘software update’. And I grew up with Middle Eastern beats and sensibilities. Accordingly, having been exposed to so many different genres, I’m able to pull from all kinds of musical inspiration.

GenZ: THE COLLABORATION WITH FAT JOE IS EXCITING. WHO ELSE WORKED ON “VOODOO” WITH YOU?

Shab: My long-time producers Damon Sharpe and Eric Sanicola, with arrangements by Duke Richman. And of course Fat Joe, who absolutely owned his rap.

GenZ: WHAT MAKES “VOODOO” SPECIAL AND DIFFERENT FROM YOUR OTHER SONGS?

Shab: It takes me back to a time in my life when music became super important to me, and I began to shape my artistic direction. “Lean Back” was one of the songs that really grabbed my attention and still, to this day, brings back so many memories and emotions of great times. And of course, being able to collaborate with a HipHop legend like Joe and to incorporate this iconic beat was so special for me.

GenZ: THE CREATIVE PROCESS BEHIND A SONG CAN BE FASCINATING. COULD YOU WALK US THROUGH HOW “VOODOO” CAME TO LIFE?

Shab: It took us a while to get this ball rolling. The concept originated during mid-2022 with one of my team members, Duke Richman, as a remix idea – and it took a little while to put a rough demo together. While the demo was raw, it was clear that Duke had a great idea. From there, it was a matter of convincing Joe that it was time to reinvent the iconic “Lean Back” groove: and with a relatively unknown artist! Thereafter, we recorded “Voodoo” in Manhattan and Los Angeles during September of last year – but we have not released the track until now due to the reality that it took about eight months to get all of the legal clearances from the intellectual property holders of the “Lean Back” single. It seems incredible, but no one had ever been licensed to sample the signature beats of the beats of “Lean Back” previously.

GenZ: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO MENTION ABOUT “VOODOO” THAT FANS SHOULD KNOW?

Shab: I hope that everyone loves this track. The beats of “Voodoo” demand that you move and groove.

GenZ: LASTLY, COULD YOU TELL US WHICH LABEL RELEASED “VOODOO”?

Shab: Shabnam Music.

With “Voodoo,” Shab takes us on a musical journey through time, combining past influences with a fresh perspective, and delivering a track that demands movement and groove. We are waiting with bated breath for her next drop. She’s now – on our GENZ radar.

Go peep “Voodoo” on Apple Music, Spotify and the Official Music Video.