Lashunda Nicole Flowers, better known as Shunda K, is an American rapper whose songs are noted both for their use of spiritual and sexually explicit lyrics.
Shunda K | |
|---|---|
 Sonar 2008 – Barcelona – Shunda K | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lashunda Nicole Flowers |
| Also known as | Shunda K |
| Born | August 3, 1980 |
| Origin | Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop, electroclash |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Labels | GMEQCA/Matriarch Records |
| Website | https://shundak.com/ |
Current
editWith her release of "The Return of Shunda K" EP in 2019, Shunda K is set to drop her sophomore album "Return of The Dragon / Rise of The Divine Feminine" June 6, 2022. The double album features 26 tracks featuring producers such as Thunderbird Juiceboxx, Tori Fixx aka DJ Naughtboyy, Koax The Droid and newcomer DJ Ambs. Her new label GMEQCA/Matriarch Records is finding success in the digital market, where Shunda K will release "soul stirring" tunes, featuring top producers worldwide.
Yo Majesty 1998–Current
editShunda K started her career with Shon B as a duo named Ya Majesty before they were rounded out circa 2001 by gospel-raised vocalist Jwl B. They started collaborating with London-based electronica duo HardfeelingsUK (David Alexander and Richard Winstanley), who supplied the newly named Yo! Majesty with their electro-rap club beats, in 2002.[1] Once they established a name for themselves on the underground club circuit, both in the US and the UK, Yo Majesty self-released their first official release, the Yo EP, in 2006.[2]
They "made a splash" at SXSW in 2007[3] and that year toured alongside CSS and the Gossip. The group signed with Domino Records in 2007,[4] and the label released an EP and full-length record by the band in 2008, which included a track produced by Basement Jaxx.[5] Shon B left in 2008, soon after the group was signed, leaving Shunda and Jwl to tour as Yo Majesty. However, during January 2009[6] Shunda K was forced to finish the Yo Majesty tour solo as Jwl B was incarcerated as she assaulted a family member. When Jwl B was released, Domino forced Shunda to tour with her, so Shunda left the group and pursued solo interests.
Solo career
editAfter leaving Yo Majesty, Shunda has gone on to work with Peaches on her I Feel Cream, collaborating on the track and starring in the music video for Billionaire,[7][8] and released a series of EPs with French producer Flore[9] and Damp Heat[10] all the while steadily working on her album which is set for release under Fanatic Records on January 11, 2011. She began 2010 by touring in Australia, performing at the roving Big Day Out festival, headlining club gigs and opening shows for friend Peaches.[citation needed]
Shunda's first maxi-single off her new album "The Most Wanted" was released on July 27, 2010[needs update] and is called "Here I Am To Save The World". It was co-producedby French electronic dance music producer Electrosexual and Chicago based label owner Chrissy Murderbot. It features remixes of the album version by several up and coming producers.
The second maxi-single from "The Most Wanted" is "I'm da Best" and was released on October 25, 2010. The song is the reunion on record with original Yo! Majesty member Shon B, notable for the fact that it was Shunda K and Shon B that appear on the original version of "Club Action" that brought Yo! Majesty its initial round of attention. The maxi-single again features multiple remixes by many new producers from around the world.
Also of note is Shunda's collaboration with musician/producer Snax, "It's Time To Get Paid."[11] The video for "Paid", directed by Robin Thompson, quickly garnered hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube (686,722 as of this writing), prompting positive comments as well as many homophobic and racist ones. Snax responded to the reaction in an article[12] in the Huffington Post.
Discography
editAlbums
edit- Futuristically Speaking...Never Be Afraid (as Yo Majesty) (2008), Domino Records
- The Most Wanted (as Shunda K) (2011), Fanatic Records
- Return of The Dragon / Rise of The Divine Feminine (as Shunda K) (2022), GMEQCA/Matriarch Records
EP
edit- "The Return of Shunda K" (2019, GMEQCA/Matriarch Records)
Singles
edit- "Here I Am to Save the World" (2010, Fanatic Records)
- "I'm da Best" (2010, Fanatic Records)
Collaborations
edit- Shunda K (Yo Majesty) and Electrosexual collaborated on the track "Screaming and Crying" alongside Scream Club which features on Electrosexual's 12" vinyl "Break You Nice/Screaming and Crying".[13]
- Shunda K (Yo Majesty) collaborated with Snax[14] on the track "It's Time to Get Paid"[11] released on Shunda's LP The Most Wanted.
- Shunda K (Yo Majesty) and Peaches collaborated on the track "Billionaire" which features on Peaches' album I Feel Cream.[9]
- Shunda K and Flore[citation needed] worked together on each other's album with Flore's album Raw. Two singles have been released preceding the album, both featuring Shunda K's vocals.
- Shunda K and Damp Heat[citation needed] released an EP together to round out 2009.
- Yo Majesty and Neon Neon worked on the track "Sweat Shop" for their album Stainless Style.
References
edit- ^ Luger, Kara (May 1, 2008), "Yo! Majesty hype (and are hyped about) their upcoming album.", Rocky Mountain Chronicle
- ^ "Band to watch: Yo Majesty". Stereogum. December 13, 2006. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
- ^ "Yo Majesty | The A.V. Club". www.avclub.com. Archived from the original on October 16, 2008.
- ^ Thompson, Paul (September 21, 2007). "Yo Majesty Sign to Domino Records, Tour". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
- ^ Maher, Dave (June 18, 2008). "Yo Majesty Enlist Basement Jaxx for Domino Debut". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
- ^ "Yo! Majesty's Shunda K as a Solo Act, The Floacist as a Brand Builder". Archived from the original on February 25, 2012.
- ^ http://www.prohiphop.com/2010/03/-peaches-billionaire-ft-shunda-k-music-video.html
- ^ Richardson, Matthew (March 19, 2010). Peaches: "Billionaire" f. Shunda K and Ssion (Video) Prefix Magazine. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
- ^ a b Pr, Fanatic (January 28, 2010). "Fanatic Promotion: Shunda K tours with Peaches in Australia, Blows up the press in the UK, Signs to Fanatic Records in the U.S."
- ^ Pr, Fanatic (March 11, 2010). "Fanatic Promotion: Shunda K teams with Damp Heat on "Da Backwoods EP"; announces SXSW shows".
- ^ a b FanaticPromotion (October 4, 2011). "Shunda K (feat. Snax) – It's Time To Get Paid (Official Video)". Archived from the original on December 15, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ Singer, Snax; songwriter; multi-instrumentalist (October 19, 2011). "My Message for the Homophobes and Racists of YouTube". HuffPost.
- ^ "ELECTROSEXUAL".
- ^ "Snax Musician". March 23, 2016.