By: Rainy ” Country Cutie” Cates
It was one of those nights that felt like a quiet celebration—a gathering of people who believed in something more than just talent. We were seated around a table in an intimate Atlanta venue, the kind of place where the energy feels warm, like a shared secret between friends. The crowd wasn’t huge, but the air was electric with anticipation. Tonight wasn’t just about Shoniqua Shandai, the actress. Tonight, we were here for Shoniqua the artist, the singer—someone we were about to discover in an entirely new light.
As Shoniqua entered the space, there was an undeniable glow about her, but it wasn’t the kind of glow that comes from the spotlight. This was different. It was the kind of warmth that comes from someone who has truly embraced their journey—the kind of warmth that tells you, “I’ve struggled, I’ve grown, and I’m here now, unapologetically myself.” And that’s exactly what we were about to hear, from the very first note.
She opened up to the crowd, speaking in a way that felt like we were confiding in an old friend. There was no pretense. She was real, raw, and fully in the moment. “In 2020, during the pandemic, I decided to get into the studio,” she began, her voice soft but steady. “I was playing a recording artist in Harlem, but I was terrified of the studio. I can sing without a mic, but when it came to recording, it never sounded the way it did in my head.”
Her vulnerability struck a chord with everyone in the room. She wasn’t just talking about a song; she was talking about something deeper. She was sharing the journey of self-doubt, growth, and perseverance that led her to this very moment.
“You can’t play a recording artist and not actually get into the studio,” she continued. “So, I decided to do the work. I got intentional about what I wanted to create. And with everything happening in the world, I knew I had to write something that spoke to me—and to the world around me.”
What followed wasn’t just a performance—it was a story. It was a reflection of everything that had shaped Shoniqua over the last few years: the challenges, the growth, and the deep, undeniable belief that we all have the power to manifest the lives and love we deserve.
“I believe life and death lie in the power of the tongue,” she said. “So I wrote something that would bring into existence the kind of love I deserve, even though I hadn’t experienced it yet. Something God-fearing, passionate, and healthy. This song… it makes me want to tell a man, ‘Boy, I know your momma is proud of you!’ And that’s “Feel My Love.”
The song, four years in the making, was about so much more than melody or lyrics. It was the product of a journey filled with patience and growth. She’d started writing it in 2020, but it wasn’t until now, in 2025, that she was finally ready to release it to the world.
“I wasn’t the singer I wanted to be when I first started,” Shoniqua admitted. “I was comparing myself to legends like Aretha Franklin, and I wasn’t sure if I could ever measure up. But I kept pushing. I couldn’t let that stop me. So, I went through a cycle of home, train, and record. Home, train, record. For four years. And that’s how I became the singer who could finally sing this song.”
At that moment, I understood. This wasn’t just about singing, it was about the power of persistence. The power of not giving up, even when the path isn’t clear and the results don’t come easily. For four years, Shoniqua worked through her insecurities, her doubts, her fear. And the result was more than just a song, it was a declaration of strength and self-love.
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As she played Feel My Love for us that night, the room fell silent. The music didn’t just fill the space, it resonated deep within everyone who was fortunate enough to be there. It was an anthem for anyone who has ever had to fight through their own limitations, for anyone who has ever doubted their worth, for anyone who has ever felt that the vision they had in their mind couldn’t possibly match up to reality.
But it can. It does.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others, especially in the world of social media, where the highlight reel is everything. But Shoniqua reminded us of something simple yet profound: Growth takes time. It’s okay to stumble, to feel uncomfortable, to take things slow. It’s okay to not have everything figured out right away. But as long as you keep pushing forward, trusting in yourself and your process, the results will come.
That night, I left with something more than just a new song to listen to. I left with a renewed sense of what it means to truly believe in yourself, to trust in the process, and to embrace every moment of growth along the way.
Shoniqua Shandai isn’t just a talented actress or a gifted singer—she’s a woman who has learned to love herself through the struggle and triumph, a woman who continues to teach us that the journey is just as beautiful as the destination.
And so, as the night ended, I realized that Feel My Love wasn’t just the title of her song—it was the energy that she had brought into the room. Love, in all its forms. And it was something we all felt, something that left a mark on every heart in that intimate space.
Today, tomorrow, and forever—Feel My Love.
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