Face of the Week: Shaolin Masala — The Rising Neo-Soul Star 

Rooted in the rich traditions of neo-soul and R&B, Shaolin’s sound bridges emotion and experience — a reflection of her personal journey toward healing and self-discovery.

Currently a college student majoring in marketing, with dreams of attending law school, Shaolin balances academia and artistry with remarkable grace. Her dedication to growth, mindfulness, and creativity makes her not only an emerging artist to watch but also a beautiful example of what it means to live authentically and purposefully.

Here’s our exclusive conversation with Shaolin Masala, in her own words.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and what you do?

My name is Shaolin Masala, and I am a 20-year-old independent singer-songwriter. I mainly focus on the genres of neo-soul and R&B music; however, I have the desire to expand to more genres in the near future. Currently, I am in college studying marketing with hopes of going to law school after graduating.

What inspired you to start your career or business?

I have always been inspired to start my music career since a young age. Seeing various singers like Sade, Alicia Keys, Ne-Yo, and more has inspired me to pursue becoming a singer. I could naturally sing, so my parents got me lessons, and now I am doing this as a full-time career!

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge that I have faced is dealing with my mental health in a positive way. In the past, I have been a naturally anxious person in everything I have done. It did not matter what it was — from schooling to basketball and personal relationships — I have always wanted to be perfect. However, now I am starting to be more kind to myself, and I am trying to unlearn all of my anxious behaviors. Self-love is a practice that has helped me overcome this challenge.

How do you stay motivated and consistent toward your goals?

Sometimes life will make me have a lackluster personality when it comes to my craft; however, I stay motivated by being mindful. It is easy to get unmotivated, so I make sure that I lean on my family and team when I am feeling down. They help remind me that this is going to be a long journey. At the end of the day, my love for music has kept me going. I want to make a positive influence with my music, and being able to help people feel loved is my goal. My goal is not just for me; it is outside of me — that is how I keep going.

What’s the greatest lesson you’ve learned along your journey so far?

The greatest lesson that I have learned along my journey so far is that it is okay to feel shyness as my regular self, but when I am the artist Shaolin, I cannot let that stop me from being great. It is important to become comfortable with the uncomfortable! It is a hard thing to do, but the results will be worth it in the end.

How do you personally define success?

Success to me is when I truly feel like I made a positive influence on my listeners. My goal is to comfort those who need help. Even if they find two minutes of peace listening to my music, I view that as success.

What is your biggest dream, and how are you actively working toward it?

My biggest dream is to be able to have a large platform that showcases my talent. Music is my life, and I want to be able to make a living off of that. Every day, I create new songs, write lyrics, train my voice, and study all the artists that have come before me.

How has your faith, spirituality, or personal philosophy influenced your path?

My faith and spirituality have helped me grow as a person. I really try to be able to understand what is going on inside me internally. I believe that I won’t be able to make the best music possible unless I get to know myself. I do this by praying, meditating, journaling, and just being in the moment.

Who has been your biggest inspiration or mentor, and why?

My biggest inspirations are neo-soul and jazz singers. I grew up listening to Sade, Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott, India Arie, and Amy Winehouse. Their music really shaped the expression of my own music. I love the blending of Soul, R&B, and Jazz because it expresses the inner me. My inner being is just so moved by it, and it is a comforting feeling.

How do you maintain a healthy balance between your personal and professional life?

The main way that I maintain a healthy balance between my personal and professional life is by being organized. I fill out my planner to make sure that I have everything in order. When I see everything written down, I am able to pick slots where I can have personal time.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field?

The advice I would give someone starting out in this field is to make the content and post it. If you made a new song, show everyone on social media. Keep posting it until you get the results that you want. It does not matter if you are being “annoying” or “cringy” — at the end of the day, this is your art, and it deserves to be seen by everyone!

What do you find most rewarding about what you do?

The most rewarding thing about what I do is being able to express my true self. When I am writing a song or singing, it comes straight from my spirit. No matter what I am feeling at the moment, the true me is being expressed at all times. My art is my reflection.

What are some passions or hobbies that inspire you outside of work?

The hobbies that I have outside of work are that I love to work out and do my martial arts. Ever since I was little, my father put me in Shaolin Kung-fu, so I have been an athlete. Moving my body helps me feel less anxious and stressed, so I am able to feel more balanced internally. I also love watching anime as well. My favorite anime is Soul Eater, and the one that I am currently watching is JJK.

What’s the most valuable skill you’ve developed in your career?

The most valuable skill that I have developed in my career is being able to perform in front of people. When I was younger, I felt very uncomfortable singing in front of crowds — to the point where I would feel nervous. Since I have worked on that issue, I feel more comfortable showcasing my talents!

What’s something you wish you had known when you were just starting out?

I wish that I knew, just starting out in the music industry, that it is okay if not everyone likes you or your art. There will always be people who will have something negative to say, and their opinion does not have anything to do with you. All that matters is that you put your best effort into improving yourself as a person. That translates to creating authentic art. Both are a win!

How do you handle failure, rejection, or setbacks?

I feel like I handle setbacks and failures pretty well. My parents have taught me that those experiences help you grow and learn for the better. Sometimes it is hard to get back up when you feel defeated, but what matters is you getting back up. I always tell myself that I will deal with situations when I have to deal with them. Whatever gets thrown at me, I will get through it.

What is your personal philosophy or mantra in life?

My personal mantra is “Just breathe.” I made my first single about how the feeling of anxiety and misfortune can turn around. It is okay to sit in the feeling for a bit and not push anything down. Just know that everything will be okay in the end.

What achievement are you most proud of so far?

My proudest achievement was releasing my single Breathe. My whole life, I have been singing and writing music, but I was not allowed to pursue my career at a young age. My parents wanted me to be protected and develop my talents. I feel so accomplished that my years of training are finally out for the world to see!

How do you envision your brand, career, or business evolving in the next few years?

I envision my career evolving in the next few years by expanding my platform outreach. I really am empathizing with finding my authentic sound while also giving a voice to my community. As an independent artist, growth and following are everything. As of right now, that is my vision.

How do you use your platform to make a positive impact or give back to your community?

The way that I use my platform to make a positive impact is by providing comfort to my listeners who need it. I want my music to be like a blanket that wraps around my listeners. Music can be a way to promote healing and love. My sole focus is to be a helping hand to those who need it.

Do you have a favorite quote or affirmation that keeps you grounded?

My favorite quote is from this gift my mom gave me: “Music is what feelings sound like out loud.” I feel like this quote is very accurate because music is one of the best ways to express your inner feelings. There is music for every feeling, occasion, and vibe that can enhance that experience.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received — and who gave it to you?

The best advice that I was given was from my grandmother. As mentioned before, I used to worry about everything when I was younger. She said to me one time, “The past is gone, the future is not here — all you can do is focus on what is happening right now.” This advice has really helped me stay present in my life. I still struggle sometimes, but I keep repeating that statement in my head to remind myself that everything will be okay!

How do you stay creative, innovative, and adaptable in a fast-changing world?

The best way for me to stay creative, innovative, and adaptable in this world is to stay up on current events and listen to as much music as I can. I try not to harp on staying up with too many trends, only because they die out as fast as they start. There definitely has to be a balance between staying trendy and staying authentic. In the end, I always lean toward being authentically me — and those who are meant to be my audience will get behind my message.

✨ Follow Shaolin Masala on all platforms and listen to her debut single “Breathe” — a soulful reminder that peace, presence, and purpose begin within.

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