Quick Facts
Biography
Sharaya Howell, better known by her stage name Sharaya J, is a Hawaiian-born American female rapper and choreographer.
She is best known for her latest singles, "BANJI" and "Smash Up the Place", as well as being the latest artist signed to Missy Elliott's label The Goldmind Inc. Prior to her work as a musician, she worked as a hip-hop choreographer and urban screenplay writer. On April 17th, 2017 Sharaya J released her first body of work; a mixtape titled "Dope Product".
Early life and career beginnings
Born on January 17, 1984 to a working mother and a father who served as one-fifth of hip-hop group Double XX Posse, Sharaya began her career as a hip-hop choreographer. She was featured as a dancer in French singer Mylène Farmer's 2006 tour, Avant que l'ombre... à Bercy. Her work caught the attention of high-profiled musicians, Diddy, Ciara, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, The-Dream, Rihanna, and earned her cameo spots on each artists' music videos (Alicia Keys' "Teenage Love Affair", The-Dream's "Shawty Is a 10"). Sharaya later went on to work with other top choreographers, Laurieann Gibson, Tanisha Scott, Fatima Robinson, Hi-Hat, and Jamaica Craft (formerly one-third of The Goldmind's act So Def).
Sharaya served as a dancer for Step Up 2 the Streets and Step Up 3D. In addition, Sharaya worked as a screenplay writer and executive producer for the short, The Real T.
Music career
In January 2010, Sharaya signed to Missy Elliott's label The Goldmind Inc. and was introduced by Elliott at the New York venue Crash Mansion. Later that year, Sharaya would release the Souldiggaz–produced "Green Light", featuring vocals by Elliott, and become part of Elliott's sold-out European tour. Throughout the tour, Sharaya performed the Alja Jackson–assisted "What Is Love?" On March 2, 2013, Sharaya's single, "BANJI" was released via iTunes. The song features additional vocals by Missy Elliott and production by DJ Jayhood. A promotional music video for the single was released via Sharaya's official YouTube channel two days following its official release.
On September 11, 2013, Sharaya was featured as magazine VIBE Vixen's "rapper to watch." The magazine also officially premiered Sharaya's new music video, "Smash Up the Place"/"Snatch Yo Wigs," directed by Missy Elliott. In March 2014, Sharaya alongside mentor Missy Elliott were confirmed to be features on Faith Evans' sixth studio album, Incomparable, on a record titled "I Deserve It". In June 2014, Sharaya previewed her forthcoming single "Shut It Down" via a T by Alexander Wang campaign, featuring production by Aaron "Dboy" Monroe and Missy Elliott, and cameo appearances by Behati Prinsloo, Derek Blasberg and Chris Kattan, who reprised his role as the former Saturday Night Live character, Mango.
On September 29, 2014, VIBE Vixen premiered the visual to Sharaya's single "Takin' It No More", which in turn samples mentor Missy Elliott's Aaliyah-dedicated single, "Take Away".
Sometime in 2016, Sharaya would split terms with The Goldmind and launch her own production company, Banji Entertainment LLC. Under the Brookly-based imprint, Sharaya would release the Biggie-stylized number "Big", her latest release in two years.
Discography
Mixtapes
2017 Dope Product
Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | |||
| "BANJI" (featuring Missy Elliott) | 2013 | — | — | TBA |
| "Smash Up the Place" | — | — | ||
| "Takin' It No More" | 2014 | — | — | |
As featured artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | |||
| "I Deserve It" (Faith Evans featuring Missy Elliott & Sharaya J) | 2014 | — | 19 | Incomparable |