Starshell

Last updated

Starshell
Starshell full picture.png
Background information
Birth nameLaNeah Menzies
Born (1988-05-27) May 27, 1988 (age 34)
Lowell, Massachusetts
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer-songwriter
  • model
  • actress
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2009–present
Labels
Website starshellworld.com
birthdaygirlworld.com

LaNeah Menzies (born May 27, 1988), better known by her stage name Starshell, is an American actress, songwriter, social entrepreneur and recording artist.

Contents

Life and career

Menzies was born to African-American and Brazilian parents and was raised in Lowell, Massachusetts. [1]

Menzies began her career as a child actress and model. As a teenager, she pursued her music career and, soon after college, signed to Universal Music Group's Interscope Records Matriarch Record company. She co-penned "Love Lockdown" for pop superstar Kanye West, [2] which debuted at number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and went on to sell over three million copies. [3] In 2009, she co-penned "I Can See in Color" and "Closer" for Mary J. Blige. The former was featured in the Oscar-nominated film, Precious , [4] while the latter is featured on Blige's album, Stronger with Each Tear . Menzies's first single, "Superluva", [5] produced by Fernando Garibay and written by Menzies and Nire Alldai, was released in the summer of 2010. The single was followed by a retro-pop remix version produced by DJ Cassidy, entitled "Superluva" (Cass & Dubs Remix). [6]

In the summer of 2012, Menzies toured with Jennifer Lopez and Enrique Iglesias on their Dance Again World Tour, as well as on Mary J. Blige and D'Angelo's Liberation Tour with her second single, and pop hit, "Birthday Girl". Birthday Girl debuted via iTunes on February 7, 2012. [7] [8] Menzies's clothing line, Birthday Girl, consisting of a wide range of basics and was launched in 2013 with the help of Kickstarter. [9] She also appeared in Law and Order: Special Victims Unit , Season 14, Episode 16: 'Funny Valentine' in February 2013.

Causes

In June 2013, Menzies partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to raise awareness about suicide and suicide prevention. She was announced as the national spokesperson for the Foundation at AFSP's annual Overnight Walk.

Discography

Singles

YearSinglePeak chart positionsAlbum
R&B
2012"Birthday Girl"TBA
2013"My Star" [10]

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2015 November Rule Erica

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary J. Blige</span> American singer (born 1971)

Mary J. Blige is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Often referred to as the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" and "Queen of R&B", Blige has won nine Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, four American Music Awards, twelve NAACP Image Awards, and twelve Billboard Music Awards, including the Billboard Icon Award. She has been nominated for three Golden Globe Awards and two Academy Awards, including one for her supporting role in the film Mudbound (2017) and another for its original song "Mighty River", becoming the first person nominated for acting and songwriting in the same year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gomenasai (t.A.T.u. song)</span> 2006 single by t.A.T.u.

"Gomenasai" is a song by Russian recording duo t.A.T.u., taken from their second English language studio album Dangerous and Moving (2005). The song was written by Martin Kierszenbaum, and production was handled by Kierszenbaum and Robert Orton. The song was released in May 2006 as the album's third single by Interscope. The song was not initially supposed to be a single from the studio album as t.A.T.u. did not approve; however Interscope ignored the band's wishes and went forward with the single anyway. Due to conflicts with the label, "Gomenasai" was t.A.T.u's last single with Interscope.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keri Hilson</span> American R&B singer (born 1982)

Keri Lynn Hilson is an American R&B singer, songwriter and actress. She was born and raised in Decatur, Georgia and spent most of her youth working with producer Anthony Dent as a songwriter and background vocalist for several R&B and hip hop artists. By the age of 14, Hilson had secured a record deal with the girl group D'Signe, which later disbanded. She attended Oxford College of Emory University in Georgia while she continued writing songs for artists including Britney Spears, The Pussycat Dolls, and Mary J. Blige, with the production and songwriting team The Clutch. In 2006, Hilson signed with American producer and rapper Timbaland's record label Mosley Music. Her breakthrough came in 2007 after appearing on Timbaland's single "The Way I Are", which topped charts around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Touch It (Busta Rhymes song)</span> 2005 song by Busta Rhymes

"Touch It" is a song by Busta Rhymes. Released on December 13, 2005, it was the first single from Rhymes' Aftermath/Interscope debut, The Big Bang. The song reached number one in New Zealand, and number six in the United Kingdom. The song features a minimalistic beat provided by Swizz Beatz, and a sample from the song "Technologic" by electronic duo Daft Punk. "Touch It" in turn was incorporated into Daft Punk's live album, Alive 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Changed My Mind</span> 2004 single by Keyshia Cole

"I Changed My Mind" is a song by American R&B recording artist Keyshia Cole, recorded for her debut album, The Way It Is (2005). It was written by the singer along with John Legend and Kanye West, while production on the track was helmed by the latter. Released on November 9, 2004 as the lead single from the album, it was mildly successful commercially, peaking at number 71 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 23 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Now That You Got It</span> 2007 single by Gwen Stefani

"Now That You Got It" is a song by American singer and songwriter Gwen Stefani from her second solo studio album, The Sweet Escape (2006). Stefani co-wrote the song with its producers Sean Garrett and Swizz Beatz. "Now That You Got It" is a reggae song featuring hip hop beats, staccato piano sample and military snare drums. Lyrically, the song places Gwen asking her lover to give all that she wants. A remix featuring Damian Marley was produced for the song's release as the album's fourth single on August 26, 2007, by Interscope Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cajjmere Wray</span> Canadian DJ, producer (active 1993– )

Cajjmere Wray is a Canadian producer, DJ and remixer from Toronto. He is known for a variety of his original and remix productions. He has officially remixed many major recording artists including: Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Esthero, Nelly Furtado, Girlicious, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Deborah Cox, Oscar G, Melanie C and others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fernando Garibay</span> Mexican music producer


Fernando Garibay is a Mexican/American Polymath, Record Producer/Songwriter of Grammy Award™ Winning Albums, DJ, Entrepreneur, Author, and Academic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kuk Harrell</span> American songwriter and producer

Thaddis Laphonia "Kuk" Harrell is an American songwriter, vocal producer, arranger and engineer. He was a member of a songwriting–production team composed of himself, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart and Terius "The-Dream" Nash. In 2011, Kuk Harrell and partner Tricky Stewart joined the ranks of Fox's American Idol along with music mogul Jimmy Iovine, producing many of the songs performed on television by the contestants and released via iTunes. 2011 marked the highly anticipated return of Jennifer Lopez and her album LOVE? in which Kuk served as Album Vocal Producer. Earning his fourth Grammy for the vocal production of Rihanna's No. 1 Billboard Single "Only Girl ", Harrell is also the vocal producer and co-writer of Rihanna's Grammy-winning single "Umbrella". A composer and engineer on Beyoncé's chart topping "Single Ladies " from the album I Am... Sasha Fierce, he is also vocal producer and engineer of the Diane Warren-penned "I Was Here" from Beyoncé's 2011 album 4. He also produced the majority of the vocals on Mary J. Blige's Platinum album Growing Pains, which won the 2008 Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Album. The first single from Growing Pains, "Just Fine", earned a Grammy nomination for best R&B vocal performance in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teyana Taylor</span> American singer and actress

Teyana Me Shay Jacqueli Shumpert is an American singer, actress, dancer and choreographer. In 2005, she signed a record deal with Pharrell Williams' Star Trak Entertainment imprint. Afterwards, she choreographed the music video for "Ring the Alarm" by Beyoncé. Taylor would then appear on MTV's My Super Sweet 16, prior to the 2008 release of her debut single "Google Me". Soon after, she landed uncredited guest features on the songs "Dark Fantasy" and "Hell of a Life" by Kanye West, from his album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Lockdown</span> 2008 single by Kanye West

"Love Lockdown" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his fourth studio album, 808s & Heartbreak (2008). The song was produced by West, while co-produced by Jeff Bhasker. The producers co-wrote it with Esthero, Malik Yusef, and Starshell. West initially shared the song via his blog on September 10, 2008, before re-recording it after negative reactions. The song was later released for digital download on September 18, 2008 by Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam as the lead single from the album. An electropop song, its instrumentation relies on piano and Roland TR-808 drumbeats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turnin Me On</span> 2008 single by Keri Hilson featuring Lil Wayne

"Turnin Me On" is a song by American singer-songwriter Keri Hilson, from her debut album, In a Perfect World... The song features American rapper Lil Wayne who co-wrote the song alongside Hilson and Zachary Anson Wallace. Production credits are shared between Danja and Polow da Don, who also co-wrote the song. Following the minimal chart success of Hilson's worldwide lead single "Energy" in the United States, international markets received "Return the Favor", while "Turnin Me On" was released as the third single in the US.

<i>Precious</i> (film) 2009 film by Lee Daniels

Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire, or simply Precious, is a 2009 American drama film, directed and co-produced by Lee Daniels. Its script was written by Geoffrey S. Fletcher, adapted from the 1996 novel Push by Sapphire. The film stars Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique, alongside Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, and Lenny Kravitz. This marked the acting debut of Sidibe, who portrays a young woman struggling against poverty and abuse. Filming took place in New York City from October to November 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Am (Mary J. Blige song)</span> 2009 single by Mary J. Blige

"I Am" is a song by American R&B singer Mary J. Blige. It was written by Blige, Johntá Austin, Ester Dean, Magnus Beite, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen for her ninth studio album, Stronger with Each Tear (2009), while production was helmed by Hermansen and Eriksen under their production moniker Stargate. Lyrically, the song "I Am" confidently tells one's lover nobody can treat them better than the person they are with at the present time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">100% (Mariah Carey song)</span> 2010 promotional single by Mariah Carey

"100%" is a song by American singer Mariah Carey originally recorded as a soundtrack promotional single from the motion picture Precious but then reassigned to the AT&T Team USA Soundtrack for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The song was also due to feature on Carey's now cancelled thirteenth studio/second remix album, Angels Advocate though it was never tipped as a single from the latter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Wrong (song)</span> 2011 single by Mary J. Blige featuring Drake

"Mr. Wrong" is a song taken from American R&B singer-songwriter Mary J. Blige's album My Life II... The Journey Continues . It features rapper, Drake. The song was produced by Jim Jonsin and Rico Love. It was released as the album's second official single on October 28, 2011.

<i>My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)</i> 2011 studio album by Mary J. Blige

My Life II... The Journey Continues is the tenth studio album by American singer and songwriter Mary J. Blige, released on November 21, 2011, by Geffen Records and Matriarch Records. Titled as the sequel and serving as a thematic extension to her 1994 breakthrough album My Life, which portrayed a dark period in Blige's personal life, it talks about the themes of struggle, heartbreak, and strength while reflecting the growth and evolution she had experienced since the release of its predecessor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pia Mia</span> Guamanian singer and actress

Pia Mia Perez is an American singer, songwriter, and model. She began her career by posting videos of herself singing on the video sharing site YouTube, and went on to star in commercials and music videos. Pia Mia signed a recording contract with Interscope Records in 2013, subsequently releasing her debut extended play, The Gift, and a series of singles, including "Do It Again" and "Touch". In 2016, she was featured on will.i.am's single "Boys & Girls" which reached the top 40 in the UK Singles Chart. In 2017, Pia Mia independently released an EP entitled The Gift 2. Pia would later leave Interscope Records and become an independent artist in late 2017, creating her own label Cherry Pie Records. Pia briefly signed a record deal with Republic Records and Electric Feel Entertainment in 2020, before separating the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summer Walker</span> American R&B singer

Summer Marjani Walker is an American R&B singer. In 2017, she signed to Love Renaissance and Interscope Records. The following year, she released her mixtape Last Day of Summer, which spawned the single "Girls Need Love", that became her first top 40 entry on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart following a remix featuring Drake. In October 2019, Walker released her debut studio album Over It, which spawned the US top 20 single "Playing Games".

Ania Tarnowska, known professionally as I Ya Toyah, is a Chicago, USA musician, singer, composer, producer, performer, and the founder/CEO of Femme Fatale Records label. Her music incorporates elements of multiple genres including industrial, electro-industrial, goth electro, punk electro, electronic rock, and synthwave. It best fits in the alternative music category.

References

  1. World, Birthday Girl. "Get to know STARSHELL". Birthday Girl World.
  2. "Kanye West – Love Lockdown". Musicnotes.com.
  3. "RIAA – Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America . Nielsen Business Media Inc. August 1, 2010. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
  4. Martens, Todd (October 3, 2009). "Mary J. Blige on 'Precious' song 'I Can See in Color': 'I was damaged, in a good way'". L.A. Times.
  5. "Starshell – Superluva". iTunes. October 1, 2010.
  6. "Starshell – Superluva (Cass & Dubs Remix)". iTunes. February 1, 2011.
  7. "Starshell – Birthday Girl – Single Release". Interscope Artist Page. February 7, 2012.
  8. "Starshell 'Birthday Girl' Video Teaser: Kanye Collaborator Plays With Cake". AOL The Boom Box. February 1, 2012.
  9. World, Birthday Girl. "Birthday Girl World". Birthday Girl World.
  10. "New Music: Starshell – 'My Star'". Rap-Up.