Shekhinah

The lyrics of Shekhinah’s song ‘Different’ read like a personal mission statement. With consistency, tenacity and single-minded focus, the South African recording artist has cemented her status as a certified hit-maker, releasing her highly anticipated debut album ‘Rose Gold’ to critical acclaim and chart success.

As a 17-year-old school girl, Shekhinah burst into national attention as part of the global Idols franchise, reaching the top six of the show’s 8th season.  The singer-songwriter has since come a long way from her reality show beginnings, charting a path that is undeniably independent, self-crafted and deftly curated.

While seemingly an overnight sensation, her path to sonic success has been slow and steady. Taking time to sharpen her craft and complete a live performance degree at AFDA, Shekhinah has arrived at a distinctive sound that spins relatable lyrics through smooth, soulful vocals and pulsating beats.

South Africa was reintroduced to a matured Shekhinah as she stormed the industry in 2015/16 with slickly produced, radio ready music with an internationally-minded trajectory. She released the Sketchy Bongo produced tracks ‘Back to the Beach’ with Kyle Deutsch and ‘Let You Know’ in quick succession – with the latter now signed under international record label “Ultra Records”.  Shekhinah went on  to prove her inimitable skill as a songwriter and collaborator, featuring on ‘Your Eyes’ with Black Coffee, ‘Breathing’ with Jesse Clegg, ‘On It’ with DJ Sliqe, and in the process, becoming known as an artist who ensured sure-fire success on the tracks she leant her honey-tinged vocals to.

2017, however, belongs to Shekhinah as a solo artist.  

Rose Gold, released in September through a licencing and distribution deal with Sony, reveals a clear-minded vision committed to authenticity, honesty and self-belief. The album is infused with the realities of twenty-something anxieties and vulnerabilities, playing out over tightly knit beats and velvet-layered vocal harmonies. Themes of independence, women empowerment and everyday complexities of love and life weave the singer’s history into anthemic narratives that are raw, determined and unrestrained.

Rose Gold’s chart success speaks to her relevance and resonance with the South African audience – and beyond it. The album peaked at #1 iTunes and Apple Music Album Charts in South Africa, #19 on the Kenya ITunes Album Charts and #2 Google Play Album Charts.

The stage is set for an extraordinary career as Shekhinah works towards becoming a formidable force in the global industry. On this journey, she is determined to do it in her own way, at her own pace, anyway that she wants.