SHALONE’S BIO
Shalone A.K.A Dwayne Bryan was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He is the son of Audrey Williams and George Bryan, who separated when Shalone was only 9 months of age. Soon after that his father would then move to the states in search for a better life. Without a father figure Shalone grew up without any luxuries in one of the most notorious parts of Jamaica. The sound of gunfire and the sight of dead bodies would not deter Shalone from his favorite indulgence, music! You would find Shalone at the local stage shows, home watching Saturday afternoon specials or enjoying the marching band after school. Facing the adversities that most children of poverty face, he armed himself with the creative imagination that took him away from the poverty stricken life he walked daily.
He found his escape at the age of eleven, when he moved to America to live with his father in Paterson, New Jersey. With a studio in the basement, Shalone would take his aspirations for music to new heights. After spending 3 years with his father and recording in the studio Shalone rejoined his mother in South Jamaica, Queens. They say living in the hood breeds a mentality of survival. Either you play ball, stand on the corner or do music. Shalone was doing them all.
Petty robbery would land Shalone on Rikers Island for some time. Although hustling made survival easier, Shalone knew he was destined for greater things. Upon his departure he decided it was time for a legal hustle, and music was it. While in DC and in North Carolina the response of his music made Shalone even hungrier for stardom in the music industry. His grind, hard work ethic and love for music landed him on the chorus of Petey Pablo’s first album (The Diary of A Sinner 1st entry), on the song "Truth About Me”. Instead of the big break Shalone was expecting, things fell apart, Petey attained his star status, and with a child on the way Shalone was on the grind again. Shalone has since gone on to do features with Nore, Grafh, Bun B, Busta Rhymes, Joell Ortiz, and Mussolini (Syke) from the Outlaws. Radio as well, has caught on! The airwaves in New York and along the east coast have been playing numerous songs from Shalone.
In late 2008 Shalone released his first single “Ain’t Like We”. Which has been burning up the airwaves across numerous demographics receiving over 600 plus spins. The video for the single has been added to the independent spotlight on bet.com for viewing. As the buzz on the record continues to grow Shalone as since performed on stage with the likes of Ludacris, Young Jeezy and T.I performing his music and unleashing his swag in front of thousands.
Currently recording an EP, with the records like the club feel of “Potential Gold-digger,” and the deeper, more soulful “Where Hater’s Don’t Go,” Shalone is making music that reveals all his different sides, a far cry from the one-dimensional approach of most rappers. He says, “I’m bringing the freedom of music, bringing that spirit back. That’s what makes me different. Most rappers are too insecure to take a risk. I’ve been everywhere – and I’ll always have that reflected in my music”. Shalone has created his own thing, a hybrid of his love of rap and the rhythm of classic artists like Michael Jackson and Bob Marley.
As his bright career continues Shalone is committed to perfecting his craft and being the artist he knows he is. He has a gift for painting real life emotions and pictures of real events with his ever- changing flow. It leads one to ask, why has he chosen this path? His reply is, “It’s the way people move to a mood, a sound, a voice. I have a balance to my music that people love man. Be it the hood, suburbs, or anybody in between I got that in my music”.
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