Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but raised in Harlem, N.Y., Mashonda's vocal coaching began at the tender age of 7, in church, where most legendary voices are honed. Urged by her godmother, who saw in her a precocious love for music, Mashonda dedicated a substantial amount of her time as a teen to piano lessons and poetry writing. She gained some exposure in high school from joining a few different singing groups, but it wasn't until a meeting with renowned hip hop/R&B writing team Full Force (Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears) that her music career truly took off. Under Full Force's tutelage, Mashonda co-wrote songs for artists Yvette Michelle and Monifah, which, in turn, led to a publishing deal. Soon after, the budding singer/songwriter partnered with rapper Lady May to form Desert Rose, and signed a short-lived deal with Deric "D Dot" Angeletti's Crazy Cat/Columbia Records. The duo split from the label before releasing an album, and Mashonda soon realized her destiny was to go her own way, much like her idols Mary J. Blige, Sade, Faith Evans, and Toni Braxton.
In 1998, one of hip-hop's most influential beatmakers, Swizz Beatz, recognized Mashonda's talent and took her under his wing, giving her the opportunity to write some of the catchiest hooks in recent urban music history (Eve's "Gotta Man;" Jay-Z's "Girl's Best Friend"). He also featured her on chart-topping hits like Mya's "Best Of Me" and Cassidy's "Get No Better." The key to their relationship? The most fundamental of elements: chemistry-both personal and professional. "We were able to create a very distinct sound," says Mashonda. "He made gritty tracks and I would get on them and make them pretty, bringing out the melodies. Once we did that, everybody wanted one of those. So that's where it all started." Ever since, the two have been conceptualizing January Joy, her long-awaited debut on Swizz Beatz's Full Surface/J Records imprint.
January Joy is a perfectionist's work of art mélange of up-tempos, mid-tempos, and ballads that marry hip-hop's street tendencies with R&B's softer sensibilities. "I didn't have a timeline or deadline, so I was really able to get into it and be extra picky with every track and every lyric that I wrote," says Mashonda.
The lead single, "Blackout" featuring Snoop Dogg, is a bouncy, dance floor-rattling track in pure Swizz Beatz tradition (hard drums, bass, whistles). And that's just a sneak preview of January Joy's star power. Expect additional cameos by hip hop heavyweights like Kanye West ("Hold Me") and Jadakiss ("Leave The Block Alone"). Rounding the album out on the R&B production tip are Mike City and Raphael Saadiq, among others.
"January to me is the genesis of music for myself and for all my listeners," says Mashonda of the album's title. "It's the first month of the year and it's when everyone makes their resolutions. It's a fresh start, a new feeling, and that's what my music is. I'm also a January baby," she adds with a smile. Here's to new beginnings, and re-introductions.
Her debut album, January Joy, was released in Japan only. Scheduled for a U.S. release in early 2005, the project was postponed, due to a lack of strong radio response to her first two singles, "Back of The Club" and "Blackout" featuring Snoop Dogg. Mashonda is currently in the studio, working with A-List producers. Confirmed producers on the project are Swizz Beatz, Scott Storch and Rich Harrison.
She is married to famed hip hop and R&B producer Swizz Beatz. On a statement released to SOHH http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/9964 on October 11,2006 Swizz Beatz and his wife Mashonda are have their first child together.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mashonda
Blackout
Mashonda Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shonda!!!
she's a problem
[Snoop dog:]
Yes! Yes indeed im hot like peas then ill make hard to breath. Pardon me if I eas the freeze.Pa pa hit
blackout tell your friends, your cousin, and all your peeps that everyone want a piece.
[Mashonda:]
Big up! I like the boys from the streets and,
Big up! would never know where the waist is. (UH)
I like them hood with a swag in his mean he know wat to do when it come to me. Play right
BIG toys
Big Hands
Big shoes
I like them boys that know wat it is that comes with it knows wat a girl like to feel
I want a boy that can make mee
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Feels so good it makes mee
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Everytime at least three
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Never will he tease
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
I want a cocky street nigga from my hood knows wat it is when i say treat me good
I want a boy that can make mee
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Feels so good it makes mee
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Everytime at least three
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Never will he tease
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
I want a cocky street nigga from my hood knows wat it is when i say treat me good
He dont back down a beef in the streets and
He dont ever disrespect me
When they ask just how did he get me
I respond something that keeps me right
BIG toys
Big Hands
Big shoes
That keep a pussy
I got a boy that know wat it is that comes with it knows wat a girl like to feel
I want a boy that can make mee
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Feels so good it makes mee
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Everytime at least three
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Whenever he is
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
I want a cocky street nigga from my hood knows wat it is when i say treat me good
I want a boy that can make mee
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Feels so good it makes mee
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Everytime at least three
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Never will he tease
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
I want a cocky street nigga from my hood knows wat it is when i say treat me good
Let me tell you like this im a long bitch cadilac and always keep it crackaling ya'll dont even know wats
happening see guns be clapping when sons be rapping ima get it cracking with it baby put it back in then
pull it back out show you what we mean by blackout see a lot of ya'll dont even know how to put it on the
chair she wanna give a little bit im trying to get all of it.
Tell me, tell me can you keep it up til I, till I get enough
I want a cocky street nigga from my heart knows wat it is when i say treat me good
Tell me, tell me can you keep it up til I, till I get enough
I want a cocky street nigga from my heart knows wat it is when i say treat me good
I want a boy that can make mee
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Feels so good it makes mee
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Everytime at least three
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Never will he tease
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
I wanna cock key nigga striclkly from my heart knows wat it is when i say treat me good
[WHISPER]
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Tell me, tell me can you keep it up til I, till I get enough
[WHISPER]
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Tell me, tell me can you keep it up til I, till I get enough
[WHISPER]
BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
The lyrics of "Blackout" by Mashonda speak to her desire for a sexual relationship with a man who is confident and experienced, specifically someone who can make her "blackout" with pleasure. She makes it clear that she wants someone from her own community, a "cocky street nigga" who knows how to treat her well and won't disrespect her. Throughout the song, she emphasizes her desire for someone who can satisfy her sexual needs, mentioning "big toys" and "big shoes," and expresses her preference for someone from her own background who understands her needs and desires.
The song is explicit in its sexual content, and Mashonda is unapologetic about her desires. She emphasizes the importance of sexual chemistry and satisfaction within a relationship, and it is clear that she is not interested in anything less. Overall, the song is a celebration of female desire and sexual empowerment, encouraging women to embrace their own needs and desires and seek out partners who will satisfy them.
Line by Line Meaning
Shonda!!! she's a problem
Mashonda is a force to be reckoned with
Yes! Yes indeed im hot like peas then ill make hard to breath. Pardon me if I eas the freeze.Pa pa hittake the trip with your boy seeze. Ma ma overdouse with your dog fata. Ill bring your back out make itblackout tell your friends, your cousin, and all your peeps that everyone want a piece.
Snoop Dogg is expressing his confidence and sexual prowess and boasts about pleasing Mashonda, causing a blackout and making everyone want a piece of him
Big up! I like the boys from the streets and,Big up! would never know where the waist is. (UH)I like them hood with a swag in his mean he know wat to do when it come to me. Play right
Mashonda likes street boys with swagger who know how to treat her well
I want a boy that can make meeBLACKOUT BLACKOUTFeels so good it makes meeBLACKOUT BLACKOUTEverytime at least threeBLACKOUT BLACKOUTNever will he teaseBLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Mashonda wants a man who can give her intense pleasure and multiple blackouts and doesn't want him to tease her
I want a cocky street nigga from my hood knows wat it is when i say treat me good
Mashonda wants a confident and self-assured man from her neighborhood who knows how to treat her well.
He dont back down a beef in the streets andHe dont ever disrespect meWhen they ask just how did he get meI respond something that keeps me right
Mashonda wants a man who can protect her and doesn't disrespect her and she has something that keeps her in control.
Let me tell you like this im a long bitch cadilac and always keep it crackaling ya'll dont even know wats happening see guns be clapping when sons be rapping ima get it cracking with it baby put it back in thenpull it back out show you what we mean by blackout see a lot of ya'll dont even know how to put it on the chair she wanna give a little bit im trying to get all of it.
Mashonda is referencing her sexual prowess and how she can handle herself in the bedroom.
Tell me, tell me can you keep it up til I, till I get enough
Mashonda wants to know if her man can keep up with her sexual appetite and give her enough pleasure.
I wanna cock key nigga striclkly from my heart knows wat it is when i say treat me good
Mashonda wants a confident man from her neighborhood who knows how to treat her well.
[WHISPER]BLACKOUT BLACKOUTBLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Mashonda whispers the words blackout, emphasizing her desire for intense pleasure.
Tell me, tell me can you keep it up til I, till I get enough
Mashonda wants to know if her man can keep up with her sexual appetite and give her enough pleasure.
[WHISPER]BLACKOUT BLACKOUTBLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Mashonda whispers the words blackout, emphasizing her desire for intense pleasure.
Tell me, tell me can you keep it up til I, till I get enough
Mashonda wants to know if her man can keep up with her sexual appetite and give her enough pleasure.
[WHISPER]BLACKOUT BLACKOUT
Mashonda whispers the words blackout, emphasizing her desire for intense pleasure.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BEN ADAMS, MARK DANIEL READ, PATRICK RICHARD MASCALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind