By: Rainy “Country Cutie” Cates
It was one of those nights that felt like a quiet celebration — a gathering of people who believed in more than just talent. We sat around a table in an intimate Atlanta space, the kind of place where the energy is 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 a whole new light.
As Shoniqua entered the venue, 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 fought, I grew, and I’m here now, unapologetically myself.” And that’s exactly what we were about to hear, from the very first note.
He opened up to the crowd, speaking in a way that felt like confiding in an old friend. There was no pretense. She was real, raw and completely in the moment. “In 2020, during the pandemic, I decided to enter the studio,” she began, her voice soft but firm. “I was playing a recording artist in Harlem, but I was afraid of the studio. I can sing without a microphone, but when it came time to record, it never sounded like it sounded in my head.”
Her vulnerability struck everyone in the room. He wasn’t just talking about a song. he was talking about something deeper. She was sharing her 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,” he continued. “So I decided to do the job. I was intentional about what I wanted to create. And with everything going on in the world, I knew I had to write something that spoke to me — and the world around me.”
What followed wasn’t just a show – it was a story. It was a reflection of all that had shaped Shoniqua over the past few years: challenges, growth, and a deep, unquestionable belief that we all have the power to manifest the life and love we deserve.
“I believe life and death lies in the power of language,” he said. “So I wrote something that would bring into being the kind of love I deserve, even though I hadn’t experienced it yet. Something godly, passionate and wholesome. This song…makes me want to tell a guy, “Boy, I know your momma is proud of you!” And this is “Feel My Love”.
The song, four years in the making, was about much more than the melody or the lyrics. It was the product of a journey of patience and growth. She had 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 compared myself to legends like Aretha Franklin and I wasn’t sure if I could ever make it. But I kept pushing. I couldn’t let it stop me. So I cycled home, train and disk. Home, train, record. For four years. And so I became the singer who could finally sing that song.”
At that moment I understood. This wasn’t just about the song, it was about the power of persistence. The power of not giving up, even when the path is not clear and the results do not come easily. For four years, Shoniqua worked through her insecurities, her doubts, her fear. And the result was more than a song, it was a statement of strength and self-love.
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As he played Feel My Love for us that night, the room fell silent. The music didn’t just fill the venue, it resonated deep within everyone who was lucky enough to be there. It was an anthem for anyone who’s ever had to struggle with their limitations, anyone who’s ever doubted their worth, anyone who’s ever felt like the vision they had in their head couldn’t match 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 is everything. But Shoniqua reminded us of something simple yet profound: Growth takes time. It’s okay to stumble, to be uncomfortable, to take things slow. It’s okay not to have everything figured out right away. But as long as you keep pushing forward, trusting yourself and your process, the results will come.
That night, I left with more than just a new song to listen to. I left with a renewed sense of what it means to truly believe in yourself, trust the process, and embrace every moment of growth along the way.
Shoniqua Shandai is not just a talented actress or a talented singer – she is a woman who has learned to love herself through 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 she brought to 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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