Shaila Prospere is singer, songwriter from London UK. Her inspiration initially came from growing up in a household immersed in music being constantly playing. Both parents from the Caribbean island of St Lucia, Shaila's mother often played  Country music around the house and her fathers played Reggae and Soca. music was a regular feature within the home. Shaila later discovered the songs and music of Motown and Atlantic, followed by the black British sound of lovers rock and fell in love with music. Her influences come from stellar artists such as Dionne Warwick, Patti Labelle Stevie Wonder, Aretha, Marvin Gaye, and Roberta Flack. Later on whilst trying to harness her own vocal ability, more contemporary superstars and legendary vocalists, the likes of Anita Baker, Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey grabbed her attention. 

What distinguishes Shaila from many of her peers is her song writing style. She is prolific with her craft, hence why her debut album “In My Shoes” was received with such critical acclaim, a collection of songs, littered with haunting melodies and cleverly woven lyrics about love and life. 

“I like to write songs that tell a story, on situations we’ve all experienced & can all relate to”

 “I love the art of song-writing, the movement from a couple of lines and a melody that pops into my head, then the challenge of turning it into a song”

When 'In My Shoes' was released in 2000, she performed 3 nights at the London Jazz Café, Camden, to a capacity audience showcasing the album which was released in the UK and Japan. The album quickly established itself as a classic, a combination of great songs and solid production by The Full Crew production team, and all these years later, tracks still get played on soul radio stations around the world, testament to what a good debut album that was. 

Shaila embarked on trying to establish herself as a songwriter and spent the next few years being drafted in by various, different production teams to write songs for other artist projects. 

After a long break from recording material for herself, she was badgered by one of the producers on her album Les Jones to write songs for herself. Once they started writing together and the buzz of being back in the studio got to her, things just snowballed from there. 

Shaila then hooked up with long time friend, Everis Pellius who had produced a cut on her debut album and, Everis convinced her to write enough material for an album, hence the “Back To Life” project was born. Almost a year later the album was ready for release. As the project evolved, Phil Nugent who signed her first time around, got on board and the resulting first single “Let Me Be Yours” was released on his Rhythm imprint. 

Shaila garnered lots of support on the airwaves and was played heavily across the soul music stations. The lead single, penned by Shaila, 'Let Me Be Yours', was followed up by ‘Family’ and the third single was a cover of the Sister Sledge classic ‘Thinking of you’. 

Her highly anticipated album “Back to Life” was released on the 30th June 2017 and peaked at No 1 in The UK Soul Chart, Mi-Soul Connoisseurs and Sweet Rhythms Chart and spent several weeks at the summit of all of them. The album, once again, is destined to be a future classic, some truly amazing songs, compositions that will stay with you now, and for years to come. 

Shaila’s creative abilities are not just restricted to writing songs, vocals and performance, she is also an enthusiastic painter working with acrylics and oils, and has created some outstanding works of contemporary art. She is planning to exhibit some of her art in the near future, and also to devote a section on her website to some of the completed pieces. 

 “There’s nothing better than presenting a song idea to the music producer & working together to turn it into the finished product, then hearing it in radio an ultimately performing it to fans who connect with it & sing it back, its the Best feeling”

Production chores and writing collaborations on the album were courtesy of Everis Pellius and Phil “Phillo” Nugent (Soul Syndicate/Full Crew). Other production input came from another Full Crew veteran, Michael Daley, and a contribution from her old writing partner Les Jones. 

Shaila has performed alongside legends such as Gwen Guthrie, Melba Moore, Joyce Simms, Omar and Alton Ellis, Janet Kay and performed live shows with her band. Her 'Back to Life' album has gone on to achieve the status of No1 album of the year in the UK Soul Chart, The Mi-Soul Connoisseur Chart and various tracks have featured heavily in end of the year DJ charts and blogs for 2017. 

Shaila has been invited to perform on various projects from others artists and is featured on the MS1 Project's 'Changes' Album with her songs ‘Rise’  &  ‘Steal A Kiss’ released in 2018 

Shaila is currently an Independent Artist and is working on her 3rd studio album expected for release later in 2020, which follows the success of her self released singles 'Plus One', 'You're Rich' & Let's Be, all hitting the top of the UK Soul Chart.in 2019 & 2020. 

"I'm so excited for this new project to be released, I've worked with talented producers and the songs will showcase my unique vocal and writing style and the my music upbringing and influences and show how much I have grown as an Artist in my lyric content and vocal range."  

In the mean time catch up with her on Instagram and Facebook for live stories and impromptu performances, which are delivered with the warmth and energy of her songs.