Pop Artist Shamim Takes on the Music Industry

Hollywood has grown up… The pop stars of generation X have grown past the age of being appealing to youngsters. Now it is time for the limelight to shift to new faces and fresh talent who will lead the way as positive role models for a new POP-thirsty generation. 

What seems like a perfect time for a transition from old to new could possibly be the worst time for young talent to make it in a volatile industry. Especially for young musicians, it is difficult to pursue a stable career in an industry that is financially plummeting. But instead of becoming discouraged, one artist is using the close-to-impossible conditions as a platform for change.

"Everyone that I was meeting told me that I needed to have a famous producer like Timbaland produce my song and music, and if I could get someone famous like Timbaland that a record label MIGHT sign me." Shamim explains that because of her experiences trying to pursue a career as a recording artist she wrote and recorded the song, You’re Killin’ Me (The Download Song).

"The first song from the album, You’re Killin’ Me (The Download Song), discusses the financial impact that downloads and shared music have had on the record industry… and how these things had a direct effect on my experience trying to get discovered."

Shamim admits that she too has taken advantage of music available on the Internet. "Interestingly, as a kid who is used to always getting my music off the Internet, I understand how no one thinks about the impact it has on the creators of the material. But now as a professional artist, I can see both sides of the picture and I hope that by keeping everyone aware of the problem that our government will work with the public and industry executives to find a suitable solution." 

To add momentum for change within the recording industry Shamim has recently developed two programs.

The first is called "Shamim’s Star Program". It is an outlet for aspiring entertainers to receive support and guidance in making their dream a reality.  The second she founded earlier this year is the Protection for Artistic Rights Coalition (PARC), an organization whose ultimate goal is to provide downloadable music legally at no cost to the consumer. Shamim sees PARC as an opportunity for discourse and an arena to support creativity. "In my mind, all music should be free so one possible solution would be for the advertisers on the various radio shows to pay the artist royalty fees.  Of course, this is just an idea, but I do hope that through PARC a solution that everyone will follow can be found, as I can’t imagine living without hearing and seeing my favorite artists perform."

Shamim’s passion, talent and hands-on approach has led her into recording studios with some of the biggest names in the POP and Hip Hop industries. She has been professionally singing and playing musical instruments since she was nine years old. She produced her first album when she was twelve, but being a perfectionist, felt it wasn’t good enough to release. Spending the next year in the recording studio – Shamim worked directly with songwriters, producers and her management team in order to convey her unique style and sound. Recently Shamim has finished her first music video.

Shamim highlights a few tracks off her new album. "On "Boys Harem" my middle-eastern heritage came out a little… but definitely not the way Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves would have imagined. "American Girl" talks about the fact that we’re all American Girls!  I wanted this song to be my "girls’ rule" song and it is so HOT! The first ballad is "Your Eyes" which I had so much fun recording because a choir actually accompanies my lead vocals. My liking to dance really comes out in the song, "Tick-Tock," that I co-wrote with Mike Ant and PoohBear. No matter what your mood, you will start to move when "Tick Tock" is played."

Now backed by a solid album and a personal initiative to change the recording industry, Shamim is ready to be a positive role model for youngsters everywhere. Shamim understands the importance of having a positive role model. She explains,

"I clearly remember to this day advice my dad gave me before I tried out for the New York City Ballet.  He said, "No matter what you do in life there will always be someone who can do it better.  But if you really believe in yourself and want to see where you line up in the world then you must compare yourself with only the best.  If you get accepted than you have something to be really proud of, and if you don’t make it then at least you know that you tried.  And by trying, you will never look back later in your life and say to yourself, ‘I wish that I would have done that.’"