Shontelle Layne (born October 3, 1985), better known by Shontelle, is a Bajan singer-songwriter and rapper. Shontelle was born in Saint James, Barbados She is popular in the Caribbean for her song "Colours", released in 2005, which is a collaboration with another Bajan artist, Natahlee. She also wrote Alison Hinds' 2006 hit "Roll It Gal". She appeared in the music video for the re-worked "Roll It" performed by J-Status featuring Rihanna and herself, from 2006. Shontelle was signed to Street Records Corporation/Universal Motown Records.
Shontelle has so far proved most famous internationally in the United Kingdom. Her first release there, "T-Shirt" reached #6 on the UK Singles Chart and #1 on the UK R&B Chart, her run up single "Stuck With Each Other" reached #23 and #10 on the UK Singles Chart and UK R&B Chart respectively. In the United States, "T-Shirt" peaked at #1 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart.
Shontelle was a student at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus in Barbados (currently on hold), and was on her way to becoming a lawyer before SRC, the same label known for discovering Rihanna, saw her talent. Shontelle wrote the song "Roll It Gal" for regionally renowned Alison Hinds. The song had big success in the Caribbean, New York, Miami and Europe. Her lyrical writing helped her to perform with Natahlee (a Barbadian singer). Their hit song was "Colours" which was a song showing the pride of being Barbadian did so well, that a remix was made to represent the whole West Indies. "Roll It" was a song written by Sheldon Benjamin and Shontelle for "Alison Hinds", it was titled "Roll It Gal" and become a big hit in Caribbean countries. The song was later re-released in certain areas of europe under the new title "Roll It" and performed by "J-Status and Rihanna" with backing vocals from Shontelle it was most successful in Finland peaking at #8.
Shontelle and Sheldon Benjamin, the composers of "Roll It Gal" re-wrote and re-produced the song for the band J-Status, changing the lyrics from being about female empowerment to more sexual lyrics, re-titling the song to "Roll It." The J-Status version is taken from their debut album The Beginning, released in several European countries only. The J-Status version is performed with Rihanna and Shontelle herself.
of 2007's "Roll It" which was released only in select European countries. In 2007, Shontelle finally recorded her own version of "Roll It" and it later appeared on her debut studio album Shontelligence. Shontelle's version of the song contains slightly different lyrics and production, closer to the Alison Hinds' recording rather than the J-Status version
Shontelle performed at Hot 99.5's "Bras Across DC Little Pink Dress" [2] party at the Hard Rock Cafe in Washington, DC on Friday, October 24. She also performed at the 18th Annual Kissmas Bash on December 9, 2008 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, NY at a yearly radio event on WKSE KISS 98.5. Shontelle performed her hit single "T-Shirt" at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, on November 27, 2008. Shontelle toured as a support act for the UK leg of the New Kids on the Block World Tour in January 2009. She also was added to the 2009 Springroove Music Festival lineup and performed across Japan. in April Shontelle was confirmed as to be going on tour with Beyoncé in May - June 2009! The singer will open for Beyoncé on the UK leg of her I Am… Tour.
Shontelligence is the debut album of Bajan R&B singer. It was released on November 18,2008. The album was re-released due to low sales, on March 9, 2009 date.
Single "T-Shirt" was the first official song off the album. It was released in the US on the 28th of July, 2008. It peaked at #36 on the Billboard Hot 100 giving Shontelle her first Top 40 hit. The song was released in the UK as the first single. It was released both Physically and Digitally in the UK on February 23, 09 and peaked at #6,the song was most successful there. The song also peaked inside the Top 50 in Canada and Ireland. "T-Shirt" is the first solo single released by Bajan singer Shontelle from her album Shontelligence.
MUSIC VIDEO: T-SHIRT
Watch dance videos and dance lessons at DanceJam.com
"Stuck with Each Other" was a re-release bonus track from the album as well as being featured in the Confessions of a Shopaholic movie it was released as the second UK single on the 25 May, 2009 as a Digital Download only, it reached a peak position of #23. The song also reached #50 in Ireland and #64 on the US Billboard Pop 100 despite receiving no promotion and minimal airplay.
MUSIC VIDEO: STUCK WITHOUT U
"Battle Cry" was released in the US as a second single for promotional purposes only for the Barak Obama music compilation album. The song failed to chart in the US. It will serve as the third UK single in the summer, 2009.
MUSIC VIDEO: Battle Cry
# Title Composer(s) Time
1. "T-Shirt" A Frampton/W Wilkins/S Kotecha 3:54
2. "Battle Cry" J Jones/J Kugell/W Wilkins/J Pennock/J Omley 3:33
3. "Superwoman" A Ghost/T Hermansen/M Eriksen/I Dench 4:20
4. "Cold Cold Summer" C Sturken/S Layne/E Rogers 3:44
5. "Roll It" S Layne/S Benjamin 3:31
6. "Life Is Not An Easy Road" D Chin-Quee/S Layne/M Chin 3:45
7. "Focus Pon Me" S Layne/E Joseph 3:07
8. "Plastic People" S Layne/E. Rogers/C. Sturken 4:00
9. "I Crave You" S Layne/E. Rogers/C. Sturken 3:57
10. "Ghetto Lullaby" F. Odesjo/S Layne/E. Rogers/C. Sturken 3:06
11. "Flesh and Bone" S Layne/E. Rogers/C. Sturken 3
INTERVIEW
Birth name Shontelle Layne
Born October 4, 1985 (1985-10-04) (age 23)
Origin Saint James, Barbados
Genre(s) Pop, R&B, reggae
Occupation(s) Singer, Songwriter, Rapper
Years active 2005–present
Label(s) SRC, Motown
Associated acts J-Status, Rihanna, Akon
Website Official website
