Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Shannon K

Multifaceted artist Shannon K is captivating and inspiring listeners around the world with her honesty and vulnerability. She’s channeling her experiences overcoming her own insecurities and silencing her doubts in her brand new single, “RUN.” Pop Culturalist caught up with Shannon to chat about the song, her career, and the positive message she hopes to convey through her art.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Shannon: Being raised in a musical environment, I can say that music had been a part of me ever since the beginning. I’ve always been fascinated towards music and the whole lifestyle of musicians/artists. I’ve been inspired by some of the greatest legends, who have helped me dig deeper into the world of music and songwriting. I remember the first time I won in a school music competition, and from there onwards, I gained confidence to take my singing further.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Shannon: Since childhood, Whitney Houston, Céline Dion, and Mariah Carey have been major influences in my singing. They all have so much to learn from, and it’s just incredible to see what they can do with their soulful and powerful voices. I like Ariana Grande as well. She has such a chill vibe, and it’s always fun to watch her perform!

PC: You’ve had a lot of success throughout your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Shannon: There have been so many moments in my career that are unforgettable, but there is one particular moment that I would note as a highlight of my career so far.

My sister and I wrote “Give Me Your Hand,” which is based on our real life experiences on bullying. I realized that there must be thousands of people out there who are still struggling to raise their voices about this issue and we tend to ignore it. That is the primary reason why I wrote the song because I wanted to tell them that they aren’t alone. I’m very grateful and thankful for my fans, who have showed so much love and appreciation for the song, which led me to receive a Hollywood Music award. I think that “Give Me Your Hand” paved a way for me to connect with people. I’m all for supporting others through tough times, and the fact that so many of them overcame their depression by listening to “Give Me Your Hand” really makes me feel happy.

PC: You’ve been very open about the racism you faced as you tried to break into the US market. How were you able to silence the bullies?
Shannon: Honestly, it was very tough to silence the bullies. However, I realized the amount of love and appreciation that I receive from my fans, and that itself keeps me strong. I keep pushing myself and working towards what I love, to prove the words of bullies wrong through my work and success. I keep myself surrounded by my loved ones, and I make sure that the passion inside of me is still there.

PC: In addition to being a singer-songwriter, you’re also an actress. How has acting made you a stronger musician and vice versa?
Shannon: I have realized that acting and singing have a lot of similarities within themselves. I feel like acting has made me dig deeper into my emotions, and that’s been quite helpful in my songwriting. Both fields require emotion and storytelling, so acting gives me the opportunity to be in someone else’s shoes and feel their perspective.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “RUN.” What inspired the song?
Shannon: My past experiences have inspired me to write my new single, “RUN.” As a young South Asian girl who aspires to become an artist and moves to the land of dreams, aka Hollywood, I was very much insecure about myself, and that had been bothering me a lot—on top of the kinds of negative things people would tell me when I first started my career. I have had people laugh at me when I shared my dreams with them and told them what I wanted to be. All those memories made me want to write a song to motivate not just myself but all the others who have gone through something similar or have lost their self-confidence.

PC: As we look ahead to the rest of 2020, what does the year hold for you?
Shannon: Well, I have a super-cool podcast on the way called Get Real. In the podcast, listeners will explore the reality and unheard stories of artists, actors, musicians, and influencers behind their success. A lot of times, we as an audience start dissing celebrities without knowing the hardships and sacrifices they have had along their way to success. I feel like this podcast will give an opportunity to hear the true backstory, which will hopefully motivate and inspire people to keep moving forward positively. Along with that, I recently made a cameo in a feature film that is set to be released in November. I’m super excited for that too!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Shannon: Travis Scott.

PC: First album you bought?
Shannon: Taylor Swift’s Red.

PC: First concert you attended?
Shannon: My dad’s. [laughs] I was two.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Shannon: The Bodyguard soundtrack changed my life because Whitney Houston is my idol and some of the songs included truly inspired me to get into music even more.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Shannon: I’d say Staples Center and Madison Square Garden.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Shannon: Aux cord because you cannot travel without your favorite music blasting through the speakers.

To keep up with Shannon, follow her on Instagram. Pick up or stream “RUN” today.

Photo Credit: Gabe