Shantel May: The Soulful Voice of Modern R&B

Shantel May is a dynamic R&B singer-songwriter from Toronto, Canada, who has carved a distinct space in the contemporary soul landscape. Her major label debut album, 'The Interlude,' cracked the Billboard 200 and solidified her reputation for blending classic vocal warmth with forward-thinking production.

Early career

Born in 1994, Shantel May began her musical journey in church choirs and local talent shows around Toronto. She independently released her first EP, 'First Light,' in 2015, which caught the attention of A&R scouts through its organic online buzz and led to a publishing deal.

Breakthrough

May's breakthrough arrived in 2018 with the release of her single Midnight Drive. The song's sleek, synth-laden sound and candid lyrics became a streaming hit, amassing over 50 million plays and earning a gold certification in Canada. This success paved the way for her signing with Verve Forecast Records later that year.

Key tracks

Midnight Drive — This gold-certified single was her commercial breakthrough, defining her atmospheric late-night R&B sound.

Fool's Gold — A standout collaboration with producer Sango, this track showcased her ability to blend soulful melodies with intricate beatwork.

Two Sides — The lead single from 'The Interlude' received significant urban adult contemporary radio play and charted on Billboard's Adult R&B Songs list.

Better Now — This fan-favorite album cut is noted for its raw, piano-driven balladry and emotional vocal performance.

Following the momentum of her debut, May contributed to the soundtrack for the film 'Chasing Echoes' in 2021. She has since collaborated with artists like producer Kaytranada on the track 'Vibrate' and fellow Canadian singer Dylan Sinclair, demonstrating her versatility within the R&B genre.

Artists exploring a similar blend of contemporary and traditional R&B from Canada include Charlotte Cardin, who shares a flair for pop-inflected soul and bilingual appeal. Daniel Caesar operates in a comparable space of gospel-tinged, minimalist R&B. The atmospheric production and emotive songwriting of Jessie Reyez also resonate with May's artistic approach.

Shantel May's music maintains a steady presence on radio rotations across North America. Her singles are frequently featured on major urban adult contemporary stations, independent music radio stations focusing on soul, and various online R&B radio streams that champion emerging vocal talent.

Listeners can discover the soulful R&B catalog of Shantel May by tuning into the radio stations featured on our website. Her music is regularly played across a variety of stations available on onairium.com, offering a perfect gateway to her evolving sound.