Sweetshells come home to 'De Greatest Show'

If you ever met Shelly Rahim, there are three words you would instantly use to describe her – bubbly, beautiful and ambitious. Shelly lights up any room she enters and there is a certain gleam in her eyes that shows when she starts to sing. A graduate of St. John’s University (with a Master’s degree in School Building Leadership and Bachelor’s in Education), Shelly’s mission is to continue to push Soca internationally and promote Trinidad and Tobago’s culture through her music with positive and inspiring vibes. 

Shelly has been involved with music for many years, writing for different music genres, including R&B and Soca.  Her love for music began at an early age and she was once a contestant on the popular children’s television show Twelve and Under. During her teen years Shelly sang with the Youth Pulse under Sterling Gittens. At Diego Martin Secondary school she reigned as Calypso Queen for three consecutive years. She was also a former member of the popular parang band, Sharlene Flores with Flores De San Jose and a backup singer for Massive Chandelier. She spent many years listening to her favourites artistes Whitney Houston, Janet and Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Bebe and Cece Winans, Helen Baylor and cherished the many phenomenal works of calysonians such as the Mighty Duke, David Rudder, Lord Kitchener, Super Blue and Shadow. And now Shelly has started carving a niche for herself in the midst of the cultural abandon. “Singing is my God given talent,” she says, smiling. “Education is my love but singing is who I am,” and Shelly isn’t afraid to open her mouth or to sing standard English verses (whether its acapella or with a band, either). 

 

Shelly believes that soca is at a pinnacle right now and the world is definitely getting to know and love it, but she also believes that the lyrical content of soca must bring a positive message to the world beyond. Hers is a banner of positivity and cultural enrichment, and while the Soca arena has been dominated for many years by female singers who bare a lot, Shelly intends to keep it clean, spectacles and all. “Women should have respect for themselves even though they sing soca,” says Shelly. “People believe that women who sing soca should portray vulgarity this should not be the case. We have lost the true essence of what soca was and is. Women should represent class always and not degrade themselves for the likes of others. Plus, the lyrics should be worthy. I sincerely believe that soca should have great lyrical content that is entertaining, groovy and a melody to captivate any audience, not just a few repetitive lines with a good beat.”A mother of two beautiful daughters, Shelly is no stranger to challenges.  As a teacher, she has also learnt about long hours, patience and determination.  

 

“I have been told that in this business, success does not come easy…” says Shelly, admitting also that God has a bigger plan for her. “Any downfalls I face, I just get up, dust myself off and I am ready to go again. Prayer works all the time as my inspiration. It enkindles in me a true purpose and so writing just happens naturally.  Most times when it is quiet and in the still of the night I put pen to paper. Whether I am writing soca, gospel, R&B or Christmas songs, most times I hear a melody in my head and I just start putting words to it. Another inspiration for me to write is just listening to a drum pattern alone; words just begin to flow and so I begin to write my lyrics. It is a blessing from God that I cherish dearly.” The journey is not always easy and as such, Shelly is still looking for sponsorship so that she can reach audiences not just here, but beyond. About her future music plans, Shelly said that she would like her music to encourage foreigners to develop a love for soca. “Soca is one element that can generate tourism in our country on a wider scale. There are too many stories being told that have tarnished our country’s image. I am hoping that sharing my music with the world can encourage persons to have a different perspective of our culture and would encourage foreigners want to visit our beautiful twin island republic.”