Listen to Shontelle on Batanga

Shontelle was born on October 3, 1985 in Saint James, Barbados. She is the oldest of 3 sisters. At school she was a first class academic student. On the sports field she was highly competitive too. “I did track and field, lawn tennis and represented my school and Barbados at swimming”, she recalls.

As a child, Shontelle would pretend to her mother that she was going to a friend's house, but then sneak off to recording studio. She is now a bestselling artist, due to her popular single, T-Shirt.

Shontelle was a student at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, and was on her way to becoming a lawyer before SRC, the same label known for discovering her friend Rihanna saw her talent. Shontelle wrote the song "Roll It Gal" for regionally renowned Alison Hinds. The song had big success in the Caribbean, New York, Miami and Europe. Her lyrical writing helped her to perform with Natahlee (a Barbadian singer). Their hit song was "Colours" which was a song about the pride of being Barbadian; it did so well, that a remix was made to represent the whole West Indies.

Shontelle performed at Hot 99.5's "Bras Across DC Little Pink Dress" party at the Hard Rock Cafe in Washington, DC on Friday, October 24. She also performed at the 18th Annual Kissmas Bash on December 9, 2008 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, NY. Shontelle performed her hit single "T-Shirt" at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, on November 27, 2008. She was a drill sergeant in Barbados, in a training corps similar to R.O.T.C.

Shontelle toured as a support act for the UK leg of the New Kids on the Block World Tour in January 2009. She also was added to the 2009 Springroove Music Festival lineup and performed across Japan in April.