Shaynah
Shaynah is a Dutch singer-songwriter, musician and producer creating soulful neo-R&B music centred on self-expression, vulnerability and personal freedom. Raised in a musical family, with both parents working as professional musicians, they developed a deep connection to music from an early age. Their sound combines contemporary R&B and soul with warm grooves, expressive vocals and honest storytelling. Guided by a desire to embrace authenticity, Shaynah uses music to explore identity, relationships and the experiences that shape who we become.
Shaynah began gaining recognition with the Music Matters Award in December 2014, followed by the release of their debut EP “DARE” in June 2015. Its single “Werk It” earned them recognition as Radio 6 Soul & Jazz Talent, helping establish their place in the Dutch soul and R&B scene. They went on to support Sabrina Starke on her Dreamer's Tour and perform on the Codarts/Keymusic talent stage at North Sea Jazz Festival. Their wider musical collaborations have included work with HAYP (Ladies of Soul), Anan den Boer and Nosa Apolo. Shaynah also reached the Knockouts of The Voice of Holland in 2019 and 2020, adding another milestone to their career.
Musically, Shaynah moves between neo-soul, alternative R&B and contemporary soul, drawing inspiration from the rich vocal traditions of 1990s and 2000s R&B while embracing more experimental production. Artists such as Brandy, Jazmine Sullivan, Erykah Badu, Prince and Victoria Monét have influenced their musical world. Their songs balance smooth melodies and infectious rhythms with lyrics that explore emotional complexity, queer identity, mental health and the process of growing into adulthood. Rather than prescribing how listeners should interpret their music, Shaynah creates space for people to connect with the groove, find meaning in the lyrics or recognise parts of their own experiences.
A defining chapter in Shaynah's development is “Chapter 22”, a personal musical trilogy told through three EPs: “PUZZLED, WASTED” and “NAKED”. Beginning with the confusion and hurt of major life changes, the project follows a journey through letting go of expectations and ultimately taking responsibility for one's own direction. The final instalment, “Chapter 22: NAKED”, was released in September 2024 and features five tracks, including “Fair Play” with Grammy-winning songwriter Jackie’s Boy and “Let That Go” featuring Tiffany Gouché. The project also marked an important step in Shaynah's development as a producer, with “Fair Play” becoming the first track they produced entirely themselves. Their work extends beyond recorded music: Shaynah also composes for theatre and musicals, performs in stage productions and has hosted the Open Stage at North Sea Jazz Festival for three consecutive years.
Shaynah's connection with Vokall Records is through “Let That Go” featuring Tiffany Gouché, released on October 6, 2023. The collaboration brings together Shaynah's soulful neo-R&B vocals and Tiffany Gouché's distinctive style in a smooth, groove-led track about moving forward and releasing emotional weight. The song became one of Shaynah's most successful releases, surpassing one million Spotify streams and introducing their music to a wider international audience. Its Vokall release represents an important moment in the “Chapter 22” journey, connecting Shaynah's personal songwriting with the collaborative spirit of the label.
Following “NAKED”, Shaynah continued developing their independent sound with “DONE”, released through Humble Sound Records in April 2025. The track reflects their growing confidence as a self-producing artist and continues their exploration of emotional honesty and personal independence. Alongside their work as a songwriter, performer and producer, Shaynah remains active in theatre and collaborative music projects. With a sound rooted in neo-R&B and soul, and a creative approach that embraces vulnerability as a source of strength, Shaynah continues to build a distinctive artistic identity. Their Vokall collaboration “Let That Go” remains an important part of a catalogue defined by authenticity, musical curiosity and self-discovery.