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Ahrae, Shadoworld

"I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life from the time I was a baby. I knew that there was nothing else out there for me but music and I would get it, one way or another." Hard to believe that these are the words of a pop-artist, and not an overzealous rapper; the pop-artist we speak of is none other than Ahrae, the first off the Shadoworld Records roster. Though many are not familiar with the name, it is only a matter of time before the name, the face, and the music will be hard to forget.

Ahrae who stands just short of 5'8" is nothing short of beautiful. The daughter of Swedish mother, and an African-American father, Ahrae says that she often found herself at odds with her cultural identity. Growing up in a bi-racial household wasn't always easy for Ahrae who learned at an early age that people often fear what they do not understand. "I remember going to a parent teacher conference with my mom, and my teacher asking my mom if I was adopted. I saw the way that made my mother feel, it was at that point I realized it was easier for my teacher to believe that I was adopted rather than it was to simply accept the fact that my mother fell in love with a black man."

Ahrae was discovered in a Sacramento airport bathroom by former Shadoworld Records CFO, Jessica Martin. "I knew that there was something special about her right from the start" says Martin. It was over a rather extensive conversation (thanks to a delayed flight) that Martin says "Ahrae's destiny was about to commence."

Once Ahrae touched down in Los Angeles she was very quickly shuffled to the offices of Shadoworld Records, Inc. by Ms. Martin who informed Julian T. Edwards, CEO that he had to meet this girl. "From the moment I met Ahrae I knew she was special. She has a presence about her that is often very hard to find. I asked her to sing for me in my office. She hesitated at first, but once she relaxed it was breathtaking. It was after she finished singing for me that I opted to sign her to Shadoworld Records" explains Mr. Edwards. Typically new artists are on the look out for major label deals, so what was it exactly that impelled Ahrae to sign with Shadoworld Records. "Belief in this business is one thing and one thing alone; finance. Words in this industry are like the wind, they come and go."

Ahrae credits artists such as Mariah Carey, Mary J.Blige, and Tina Turner for her musical inspiration. "I look at these women, and they are amazing. They are powerful, beautiful, poised and elegant all at the same time." Ahrae also finds it hard not mention notable artists such as Prince, Madonna, and Sheila E, all of whom she had the pleasure of listening to on a daily basis courtesy of her mother. "People are always asking me what I know about Prince and Sheila E; the funny thing is that is all I heard growing up and my mom still listens to Prince everyday."

Ahrae's freshmen LP cleverly entitled THEORY 74: A is sure to reset standards within a genre that has become synonymous with candy coated and short lived. THEORY 74: A is a collective journey into the life of what is sure to be musical icon. When asked how she felt about the term icon Ahrae had this to say; "I don't identify with the term icon, but I think I could learn to live with it." Whether she likes it or not Ahrae is destined for iconic status. With a 20 track LP all of which was written, and arranged by the new comer herself, THEORY 74: A delivers us from a boring pop-like routine. Ahrae shy's away from taking all of the credit for such a refreshing leap into unknown musical territory. Instead she tips her hat to the two men that made it all possible; the man behind the boards, producer extraordinaire, Los Angeles native Adam McCall, known to the music industry as Tiec-Tocc who produced the entire record, "He is incredible" boasts Ahrae. The second, her mentor, and manager Julian T. Edwards, "I have learned so much from him. He understands what it is that I am attempting to accomplish musically. This project would not be what it is without either one of them."

THEORY 74: A is a colorful blend of upbeat, new wave club bangers that will surely be filling up airwaves very soon. On the emotionally charged ballad "Dear John" Ahrae finds herself writing a letter to her estranged father, pleading for an explanation as to why he chose to leave his family behind, all the while coming to the realization that she may be better off without him. Other guaranteed hits include "Get It"; an upbeat, sure to be heat seeking single, "Wait" and "I Am."

"It hasn't been easy, but this whole journey has been such a blessing. I am so fortunate to be able to live out my dreams; I only hope that I am able to inspire other young girls to pursue their lifelong goals."

There's no doubt about it Ahrae will soon surpass even her own dreams. As she gears up for a 2009 release, she assures every one of one thing and one thing alone. "Like me, love me, hate me, I am here to stay."