The best practices can be applied both in life and in our career—and singer-songwriter Shazza shares how she incorporates them into her own journey
As the popular saying goes, age is just a number—and Singaporean singer-songwriter Shazza is living proof. At 23, Shareefa Aminah (better known as Shazza) has already made a significant impact, breaking through Singapore’s music scene.
If her name sounds familiar, you might have seen her viral collaboration with Canadian pop duo Crash Adams earlier this year which garnered over 21 million views on TikTok. Or perhaps you’ve seen her featured on New York City’s Times Square billboard in 2023.
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The trailblazing local musician is nothing short of inspiring. In 2024 alone, she has attracted the attention of many, from Coldplay’s Chris Martin to Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. She also performed alongside local artists Benjamin Kheng and Amni Musfirah at this year’s National Day Parade.
It’s no secret that breaking through the music industry is no easy feat—even more so in Singapore. Yet, the Indian-Muslim singer has done just that in a few short years. That said, her journey hasn’t been without challenges. In addition to producing music, the Right Person, Wrong Time singer balances her time as a part-time Communications student at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
Reflecting on her journey in the industry, Shazza shares some of the biggest lessons she’s learned and how she applies them to both her life and career.
1 | Think bigger
“I do always look beyond Singapore’s borders because I feel like this is not the whole world. There’s a whole new world out that there we have every right to go and aspire towards—so I try to do both simultaneously.”
2 | Find a sense of purpose
“As I have gone deeper into [my career], I have realised that this is bigger than myself. It’s not just about me pursuing something that I’ve grown up wanting to do. It’s more than that. It’s about allowing people to see themselves in me and helping believe that anything is possible. Having this sense of purpose has been a huge thing for me because it makes everything okay.”