MASHICA
This Baltimore native grew up in a church choir, studied voice at the Baltimore School for the Arts, and received a bachelor of arts in music from Morgan State University, where she performed in its formidable choir under the direction of world-renowned composer, Nathan Carter, she’s never really considered herself a singer in the artistic sense. It was always just something she was but one part of.
“I mean, we knew this from [age] 3. You don’t ever have to ask me, my sister, or my brother twice to sing. I never really felt like I can sing. I feel like I better.”
As a third-grade teacher at Baltimore City’s Garrett Heights Elementary, Mashica was teaching by day, and a recording artist by night, working on her debut album, The Real Thing
“It wasn’t even supposed to be an album at first, it was supposed to be a demo. Dontae was starting to produce, so we thought we’d put some stuff together, but he wanted me to sing. And I said, ‘I can’t write songs.’ And he was like, ‘Yes you can.’ And he made me sit down and stick with it to write. I was very nervous at first, but after a while I started feeling it and started thinking, Huh, maybe I don’t just want to sing hooks.
With Dontae writing and arranging the music and getting superb guest spots from the likes of local saxophonists Gary Bartz and Gary Thomas, trumpeter Roy Hargrove, and drummer Dennis Chambers, MaShica had a wide sonic palette in which to work, from the percolating soul pop of “Baby We Can Do This” to the Stevie Wonderesque ballad “No More” to the jazz-funk “All We Need Is Love.” It made the album the sort of mixed R&B bag the Winslows were searching for and WinslowDynasty was formed.
“Musically we’re paying homage to the music we love to listen to. We felt that making a whole album that sounded like radio soul music would bore us to tears. So we decided to do something a little different. We wanted to make an album that our friends would like, for the 25-and-up crowd.
Today, Mashica spends her days juggling the many different “hats” she has to carry in her designer bag. Aside from working out, maintaining a healthy lifestyle for herself and family, Mashica’s main focus is teaching and taking care of their son, Jedi. The home-schooled Jedi, has been bitten by the entertainment bug early. In addition to his live performances with his parents, Jedi has landed a spot in a Disney commercial, airing this summer on the Disney channel. If that’s not enough Mashica also finds the time to support her husband, and work on their latest WinslowDynasty Project coming soon. In May, WinslowDynasty released their latest single Mama, Download it now on iTunes.
“I am whatever I say I am!! Bam Today I am a loving mother and wife tonight I am a recording artist and around 5p.m I am a manager around 4 I will be a business woman negotiating who will you be today!!!??”
