Shei Atkins

eal R&B for the eal world...

About Shei Atkins Biography “I got shot one time/in my back with a nine/bullet came right out/man I promise I ain’t lyin’/I got the scar to prove it/fought the war to do this/got to let the world know that God brought me through this” ‘I got shot’ The Lita Mae Show That simple refrain from the third cut of Shei Atkins’ sophomore effort, 2006’s ‘The Lita Mae Show,’ tells you everything you need to know about the Grammy nominated R&B songstress whose, soulful style and straightforward, honest lyrics have made her a favorite among gospel and secular music fans alike. Born and raised in Houston’s notorious Acres Homes area, once considered to be the largest unincorporated African American community in the South, and a haven for drugs and crime during the ’80s and ’90s Atkins, 25, was subjected to many hardships early in life. It was, however, being robbed of her innocence by a bullet at the tender age of 13 as she describes in the lyrics of ‘I got shot’ that became the catalyst for her transformation from a talented but undisciplined neophyte into the vocal tour-de-force Atkins represents today. “I was a disobedient kid in the wrong place at the wrong time,” she says, summing up the seminal event, which would never have taken place if she had followed her Mother’s admonitions not to go to a party she wanted to attend. “It changed my life because it surviving the attack let me know that God has a purpose for me.” That purpose according to Shei is her music: A medium she uses not only to spread His word but to share the stories of her own triumphs, failures and suffering; connecting with her fans on a much more personal level than much of the formulaic ‘MTV-Ready’ fare currently dominating the racks. The Future With two award-winning albums in the bag, Atkins isn’t taking time off to enjoy her success. Between touring and performing all over the country with the likes of Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Tonex, J.Moss, Avant and her idol Mary J. Blige, Atkins has found time to get back to the studio and is already hard at work on her next album, tentatively title “Girl Talk,” scheduled to be released in 2007. Covering topics as diverse as depression and rape, Shei describes the project as an “empowerment record.” We as women go through so much, I wanted to talk about It," says Shei, who feels her trials and tribulations as a youth and young marriage give her credibility when talking about relationships and other hardships women face. “Marriage, love life, relationships things that you deal with everyday. This album is more for the ladies.”

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