Mixed Green's Artist: Shahidah Omar
(2008) Look out for the music of Shahidah Omar featured for the past three years on UPN's Television Series "Girlfriends" as also featured in BET's Image Award Nominated Movie "Walking On Sunshine". Shahidah Omar, A creative singer, songwriter and performer, is known as the Lyrical Songstress . Born and raised in Chicago , Illinois , Shahidah began singing to the tunes of her mother's wide variety of music at the tender age of three. She clearly grew a strong love for the art. At the age of five her mother enrolled her in a variety of dance classes; ballet, tap, modern, hip hop and jazz. Although Shahidah was raised in a confined Islamic background her mother wanted her to express her natural singing talent and enrolled her in the school choir at the age of ten where she was also on the drill and cheerleading teams.
Shahidah began writing her own songs at age eleven, then took her vocal ability to new heights when she joined the high school choir at the age of fourteen; there Shahidah embraced the importance of harmony, enhanced all her vocal levels ranging from tenor, alto to first soprano and was taught Opera. Entered into several Operatic competitions, Shahidah was awarded with numerous medals and honors. While writing and performing with a variety of singing groups, she was also traveling with her high school band as the co-captain of the football majorette team. After graduating she attended college and majored in journalism. In her spare time she enrolled in a music training class that enhanced her performance, technique and style. While there she was a member of a group that would win the Singing in the Shower musical jingle contest for Lever Brothers Soap, Inc. (Lever 2000, Shield, Dove, and Caress).
Winning in Chicago , took the group to California where they won the national title. The video footage was broadcast on the Oprah Winfrey Show. While living in Chicago , Shahidah did modeling for Johnson's Luster Hair Products, was scouted and joined the cast of Shelly Garrett's Broadway play The Beauty Shop and immediately joined the cast of his follow up play Red Beans and Rice where she toured the country both acting and dancing. After the stage plays, she joined the promotional tour for Magic Johnson's, R&B platinum artist Avant as a backup dancer (Avant's Angels). Within the next few months Shahidah decided to move to California , she auditioned and landed a role as a lead salsa dancer on ShowTime's: Resurrection Boulevard . The scene was choreographed by Dirty Dancing's' Kenny Ortega.
While in California , she also posed for Jet Magazines Beauty of the Week in the August, 2001 issue that she shared with Chris Tucker of Rush Hour Two. Shahidah then landed a starring role as Erika in the Blockbuster movie Make like Magic - USA . She had a small part in Steven Spielberg's Minority Report, and a lead in the short film Living the Dream. Although Shahidah Omar is filled with many talents her true love is for music, writing as well as singing. In the midst of writing for others she also sang backgrounds for many up and coming artists from Chicago to California and all points in between. In addition to numerous performances at B.B. Kings Blues Club and back again with Magic Johnson at his Summer Bash in 2002, featuring Tweet, Usher and a host of other big names, Shahidah held the spotlight with her own sheer dominance. Her unique singing voice has been heard on many T.V. and radio commercials, as well as several movie sound tracks. This talented singer is looking forward to conquering the world with a mind-blowing solo career. Shahidah Omar conducts herself in her own orchestra, and her voice is her Instrument.