afro_rock_star myspace layoutsI am a multi-talented artist better known as the "Melodic Poetemcee" . My primary genres are hip-hop emcee, soul vocalist and a "'live word" lyricist". Live word is a term I coined that allows me to mix the art of spoken word poet, writer, speaker and emcee of the true art of hip-hop. However, I have found my calling in theatre and film. Television and modeling are also areas for me to conquer. I've done some modeling in fashion shows. Also, I've done paid promotions for television and alcoholic beverages.(LOOK AT MY COMPANIES SECTION AND WWW.MODELMAYHEM.COM FOR MY FULL BIO) Shanara, an American woman of African descent, spent the first years of her life in her hometown of Chicago , Illinois . From day one, her teachers and family realized that she was an extremely talented and intelligent young lady, and encouraged her in her academic as well as her extracurricular endeavors. Throughout her childhood and teenage years, Shanara sang solos in school and church, and performed in various talent shows. However, at the tender age of 17, Shanara decided to go the “safe†route and completed her bachelor’s degree in finance at DePaul University ( Chicago ). However, she was an opening solo rap & song act for an all-female talent showcase at Columbia University ( Chicago ) in 1997. While on a corporate job assignment in Dublin , Ireland , she taught a weekend, hip-hop dance class for teens. She always knew that her passion for singing, dancing and writing was too real to ignore. It is because of this realization that she has rededicated herself to her God-given abilities as a “live word†lyricist/vocalist and develops her acting acumen, in hopes of fulfilling her destiny as a successful entertainer. In recent years, she has uncovered another love for acting as well. She was in a local commercial for Chernins’ Shoe Outlet. She was also in the debut plays, “The Retreat†and “School Daze – Class of 2005â€. Staying true to her roots, she was a hip-hop performer for the 2005 Millions More Movement Rally and a finalist for the 2005 NeoSoul Explosion Poetry Slam. She is a continuous featured artist on Miraculous Entertainment music compilations. Shanara performed for the 2006 Thank God for Hip Hop Film Festival (Chiloc). She has been performed the chorepoem Aqua Beats & Moon Verses in Chicago and across the U.S. She was the manipulative matriarch MauMau in Judi Ann Mason's, Daughter of the Mock (Nominated for a 2007 Chicago Truth Award). Most recently she can be seen as Toni in the romantic thriller, PARTYLINE (Sold out 3 screenings at the 2007 Black Harvest International Film Festival; chosen for “Best Feature Award†at the 2007 Motor City International Film Festival; Feat. at the 2007 Oak Park Film International Film Festival; Feat. at the 2007 the International Black Film Festival of Nashville; nominated for Outstanding Production of the Year by The African American Arts Alliance of Chicago . In Performink, ABC7News, Reel Chicago and the Chicago Defender). ALSO NOTE: Shanara is a 2007 & 2006 City of Chicago Community Arts Assistance Program Grantee!!!
