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On the outskirts of “the music game” lies Kimmi ‘Shonne. Currently she writes for UMPG, but she has been known to grace the stage backing such notables as Kim Burrell, Jeffrey Osbourne, Stevie Wonder, Hue Masekela, Mary Mary, and Mya. Among her many accomplishments is her work as a co-writer on “Fair Exchange” remix featured on Tupac’s “Better Dayz” album, two songs that’s featured on Universal (Phillipines) recording artist Jay R’s platinum album. She sang in both a duo on Shaggy’s “Piece Of My Heart” remix, and background on Mary Mary’s “Incredible” album. Among her most recent work, she collaborated with producer J Wells and DJ Quik, Kurupt, and Butch Cassidy on the “Digital Smoke” project.
She can remember singing at the age of 5. Music is an innate part of Kimmi. So much so, that to live without out it, she says, would be like to trying to live without a vital organ- Impossible! Coming from a family of entertainers and music lovers, she naturally had a strong connection and love for music that is even beyond her own understanding. She says she loves music because it is her freedom of expression. “I can say things in music that’s daring, bold, sarcastic, or things the one couldn’t normally express to another person. It’s a way that I express, grief, hurt, anger, happiness, and joys of my own and others.”
Kimmi believes life is what inspires her to be creative musically. Life in the form of struggle, hurt, grief, and survival with dysfunction. She says she lives these episodes vicariously and through her own experiences. Hope is the strongest of all inspirations. Hope to end violence in the inner cities, and for a better life for her and family. “Great music also inspires me. Great music to me, has no genre, has no face, has no name. I can flip the through the radio stations and land on someone singing opera, or I can end up listening to a mariachi band. Great music in my opinion, is a song you can feel or connect with spiritually.”
