Shont(Elle) Mapp, a rising star in the soca music scene, hails from the quaint community of Golden Vale but grew up amidst the vibrant energy of Kingstown. From a tender age, Shont(Elle) was irresistibly drawn to music, a passion her late mother, Grace Mapp, noticed early on. Grace often remarked on her daughter’s uncanny ability to sing along with songs on the radio, recognizing a budding talent that would soon blossom into a promising career. Despite having no known musicians in her family, Shont(Elle)’s love for music grew naturally and fervently.
Her journey into soca was catalyzed by Mr. Vinton Ollivierre, known as Hunttaflow, who saw potential in her and encouraged her to explore the genre. While Shont(Elle) doesn’t cite a single major influence, she draws inspiration from a diverse array of artists. Her official foray into the soca scene began when she joined the Vikings band to perform background vocals for the 2023 Ragga soca semi-finals and finals. However, it was the release of her first Ragga/groovy soca track, “Own Way,” that truly marked her arrival. The song caught the attention of DJs, radio stations, promoters, and social media influencers, firmly establishing her presence in the soca arena.
Shont(Elle)’s creative process is as dynamic as her music. For collaborations, she tailors her songwriting to match the beat or the collaborating artist’s vibe. When working on personal projects, her lyrics often reflect her current emotions or past experiences. Life itself is her muse, and she aims to create music that is not only groovy and danceable but also relatable and emotionally resonant. Although she only partially plays the piano, she finds it invaluable for tuning her voice and adding depth to her compositions.
Her career is punctuated by memorable milestones. In 2017, Shont(Elle) had the opportunity to audition for Cash Money Records during their Star Search tour and was selected for artist development among 16 other artists. Another highlight was opening for Jamaican dancehall artist Demarco during his “No Wahala Tour” in Montreal in 2018. Shont(Elle) has engaged in several collaborations, each unique and enriching, making it difficult for her to choose a favorite. One standout performance was an impromptu gig with the Silc Band at her sister’s birthday dinner in late 2018, where the natural vibe and audience engagement made it an unforgettable experience.
Currently, Shont(Elle) is focused on creating visuals and working on exciting new projects she prefers to keep under wraps for now. With upcoming releases on the horizon, she envisions her career soaring in the next five years, driven by consistency, focus, and resilience in the face of criticism.
In her view, the soca music industry is brimming with talented artists from across the Caribbean who are making waves internationally. However, in St. Vincent, success often hinges more on connections than pure talent, leading many gifted individuals to give up. Despite these challenges, Shont(Elle) believes that the genre’s increasing global recognition offers a bright future. Her advice to aspiring musicians is simple yet profound: pursue music out of love and passion, believe in yourself, accept constructive criticism, stay humble, and recognize that humility often determines how far you can go.
If she could perform anywhere in the world, Shont(Elle) would choose Africa, captivated by the continent’s unparalleled love for music and dance. A surprising fact about her is that she is more introverted than extroverted, a contrast to her dynamic stage presence. While she doesn’t have a single dream collaborator, she looks forward to working with many artists she admires, confident that her focus and dedication will bring these opportunities to fruition.
Shont(Elle) Mapp’s journey is a testament to her passion, talent, and unyielding spirit, promising an exciting future in the soca music scene.