Her Story
Shakara Weston
The voice
Shakara Weston is a vocalist, storyteller, and lifelong artist who connects with people through emotion and song. An artistic introvert who loves music, great food, travel, and meaningful human connection, her greatest passion is singing — and she's fortunate to do it professionally. She's happiest performing jazz, soul, R&B, and blues, styles that let her connect through storytelling. She also lights up singing musical theater — especially Disney-inspired songs — along with alternative and emo rock and synthwave, drawn to their drama, emotional depth, and theatricality.
Photo: Derrick L. Mims
A new chapter
Co-founder, iMused.ai
Shakara isn't only shaping music on stage — she's helping shape where it's headed. She's a co-founder of iMused.ai, the first ethical-first AI music platform, built on a simple conviction: when an artist's sound helps create something new, that artist should be credited and paid. Its Musical DNA™ technology traces an artist's creative fingerprint, so the artists who inspire a song — its "muses" — earn real royalties and co-producer credit. Consent and compensation, built in rather than bolted on.
It's the same belief that runs through everything she does: protect the art, empower the artist, and bring people together to create something that lasts.
Visit iMused.ai →The journey
Shakara graduated from Houston's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where she studied music, and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of North Texas with a focus on Vocal Jazz and a minor in Creative Writing — developing both her musicianship and her love of storytelling.
Early in her career she was a founding member of the female vocal group S4TF (Somethin 4 the Fellas) and co-founded 9th Ward Production and Promotions Company, LLC, working on creative projects from promotions for Shaquille O'Neal's Shaq Fu to fashion shows and entertainment events — and meeting inspiring artists along the way, including Dave Chappelle. As a member of S4TF she performed with Dawn Robinson, formerly of En Vogue.
Professionally, Shakara has sung background for accomplished artists including Grammy-nominated blues artist Johnny Rawls, David Garza, Zac Harmon, Dave Keller, and Ozomatli. While at the University of North Texas she performed alongside Dwele, Kindred and the Family Soul, and Angie Stone at a music festival. In 2012 she was a featured performer in The Renaissance, a Houston soul collective event, and she expanded into acting with a role in the internationally acclaimed film Diary of a Badman.
After college she spent three years in South Korea, teaching English while continuing to perform. Living and performing internationally broadened her perspective, deepened her appreciation for other cultures, and sharpened a natural ear for languages, accents, and dialects.
Beyond the stage
Away from the stage, Shakara writes, reads, draws, paints, dances, and works out — endlessly curious and always learning. Whether she's on stage, in the studio, on a film set, or exploring a new place or idea, she's happiest creating, connecting, and continuing to grow.
In frame
Photography: Derrick L. Mims