Interview w/ Shanice on Crafting the Hit 'I Got You' and Her Experience on 'The Voice Kids'

In this exclusive interview, we dive into the creative journey of rising music sensation Shanice, the artist behind the hit song “I Got You,” produced by Mark J. Feist and released on Hitmakers Entertainment. We explore the song’s empowering message and diverse musical influences that have shaped Shanice’s distinctive sound. Additionally, we discuss her experiences navigating the international music scene, the impact of her participation in “The Voice Kids,” and her transformative journey from her hometown to prestigious performing arts school and beyond. Finally, we uncover the story of connecting with producer Mark Feist, along with valuable advice for aspiring indie artists.

Tell us about the creative process behind your song “I Got You,” which has seen incredible success so far. How did the collaboration with producer Mark Feist influence the writing and production of the track?

Writing and producing “I got you” was such a fun and amazing process for me. It was one of those songs that just came so naturally. Mark had an amazing idea for a beat and finished it in no time, while I was writing some hooks and in around 15/20 minutes we had a track to record to and a hook to sing. We were on the same page with the vision for this song from the start and were able to build it and keep making it better from there. It was an amazing collaboration!

“I Got You” exudes a sense of empowerment and confidence. Could you elaborate on the inspiration behind the lyrics and the message you aimed to convey through the song?

I’ve been wanting to write a self-empowerment pop tune for a while, so the way it came about just made sense. I always feel better about things when I listen to music. It can contribute to your mood and how you feel so much, so I think it is important to have songs that make you feel good and give you energy. That’s what I wanted “i got you” to do.

Your music draws from a diverse range of genres, including Pop, R&B, 80s music, and jazz. How do these influences come together to shape your unique sound?

I love to listen to as many genres and as many artists from as many countries as I can. We have such easy access to everything these days, so there is so much to discover! I like to draw inspiration from everything I hear. Mostly it is just little elements from a song or a specific sound and then I remember it when I make music and create my own sound from things I get inspired by and because they are all so different, I hope it creates a unique sound that people find interesting and like to listen to.

Navigating the international music scene often involves dealing with legal and administrative aspects, such as visas. Could you walk us through your experience with obtaining the necessary visas for your education and musical career, especially considering your move to the UK?

These things are always part of the process… Being from Germany, I knew that there was a place that I wanted to be and that my goal to get there would come with some difficult things I would have to sort out. If you have help and you have people you can ask for advice, it is not as bad. Moving to the UK was not as difficult… I was very young still and some of the rules were not as strict yet. For the US it is obviously a very different process, but it’s all part of the journey, so I am grateful I have people who help me make it possible.

Having participated in The Voice Kids (Germany) and finishing as a runner-up among thousands of singers, how did that experience impact your musical journey and your approach to performing?

Participating in “The Voice Kids” when I was 14, was probably one of the most important experiences of my life. It was my first time standing on a big stage in front of a huge audience. I realized pretty quickly that I loved it and I wanted to do this as a career properly. I always knew that, but it gave me a different perspective that was much more realistic. It was a good thing, because it showed me that I felt ready to do all I could to get further and push myself even more. Overall, I just loved singing and performing in front of people, so I am thankful I got the chance to do it.

Moving from your hometown to attend Hurtwood House, an exclusive performing arts boarding school, must have been a significant step. How did your time there contribute to your growth as an artist and performer?

Moving to England when I was 16 to attend the performing arts boarding school “Hurtwood House” was one of the best things I could have done for myself. In some ways, I really threw myself into the cold water with that. It was a new country, a different language and culture and I was by myself… but it taught me so much and a musical and on a personal level. In that school, I was surrounded by so many amazing, talented and hard-working people, who loved the same things I loved. It gives you strength and motivation to keep working hard on yourself and your music. One of the most amazing things for me during that time was the teachers at that school. They were very strict, but incredibly supportive. They kept pushing you and teaching you and they would go out of their way to help with anything you needed. I am so thankful I got to have that support and that guidance at that time. It helped me grow and taught me to always work hard and have faith in the process of things.

Studying music at Leeds Conservatoire and earning a Bachelor’s degree in Pop Music is impressive. How did your education there refine your skills and shape your perspective on the music industry?

My time at my university in Leeds was definitely one of the most important times for me. What I learned most during that period is to use my time productively and rely on myself and my abilities. They gave us a lot of room to put our time into figuring out what it was we wanted out of the degree and I suppose (as cheesy as that sounds) out of life. I really put all of my time into my music and basically barricaded myself in my home studio almost every day. I was able to get a lot of work done and plan what I wanted to pursue for the future.

Connecting with producer Mark Feist and signing with Hitmakers Entertainment right after graduation is a remarkable achievement. Could you share the story of how this partnership came about and how it has influenced your current musical endeavors?

How I got signed to Hitmakers Entertainment is a very funny story. I was writing song after song and I kept sending out E-Mails and demos to as many people as I could. I sent one to Mark, because I knew his label and the artists at the label and loved their music and how they did things. I had contacted them once before through social media, but I didn’t get a response, so I didn’t give up and sent a demo to an E-Mail address I found. I had sent out around 100 other E-Mails the night I sent that and I really did not expect a response, but around 10 minutes after I sent it, I received a reply and then we just started to talk more. We got to know each other first via zoom and then in person and there was a great connection, so we made it official. It is a real privilege for me to have a team that is so talented and hardworking and supportive, so I am looking forward to everything that’s to come… And there is a lot to come, which is so exciting!

What actionable advice would you give indie artists hoping to follow in your footsteps?

It sounds very straightforward and obvious, but the best advice I can give is to keep working hard. Keep pushing yourself. Never stay in your comfort zone if you want to grow as an artist, surround yourself with good people. Always invest in yourself! That is one of the most important things. It is risky, but if you do not invest in yourself (financially or mentally), nobody else will. You have to have the most faith in you and your brand, so that other people can recognise it. Be super intense about it, who cares! When you have an impossible goal, I think sometimes you have to do impossible things. Taking risks with things you believe in will always pay off one way or another, in my opinion.