When Shonlock’s full-length debut release NEVERODDOREVEN (Arrow Records/Universal Music Christian Group) was released on June 21, 2011, the artist, previously best known for his ongoing gig as part of TobyMac’s Diverse City, stepped up to a mic that was all his own. With the success of his first two radio singles and an increased demand for touring, Shonlock will depart from TobyMac’s touring outfit at the end of this month to devote his full attention to his own artistry.
Shonlock’s debut single, “Something In Your Eyes,” became one of this year’s biggest radio hits, holding the #1 spot on Billboard’s CHR Chart, where it remained for seven straight weeks. The follow-up single, “Hello,” is currently #5 and climbing, and a music video will be shot in the coming weeks.
With a lengthy tour schedule for the remainder of 2011, Shonlock will next hit the road on this fall’s “Outta Space Love Tour” with Group 1 Crew, Rachael Lampa and Rapture Ruckus. He spent the summer performing at major festivals, including Creation East, Creation West, Ignite Festival, Heaven Fest and Rock the Desert.
“My band and I have been invited to a lot of festivals, and the crowds have been amazing,” says Shonlock. “It feels good to be able to share what God has given me with such large and attentive audiences. It’s fun to see the reactions people have when they finally put the face with the songs. I love it!"
The excitement about one of Christian music’s most promising new artists extends to the media, where the reception has been overwhelmingly positive. “The acclaimed choreographer (Arrested Development, Aaliyah) turned member of TobyMac’s Diverse City Band is even more talented as a solo artist, dropping one of the rap/rock scene’s most compelling concoctions this year,” said Andy Argyrakis for television network GMC’s Web site.
“If one had to name the freshest urban Christian music album so far in 2011, this one’s a lock,” said mega-site Crosswalk.com. According to TheBlackGospelBlog.com, “Shonlock may well be the breakout Christian artist of the year," while JesusFreakHideout.com declared the songs to be “extremely creative and some of the best musical artistry that I've heard in a while.”
“At the end of the day, I just want to fulfill the plans that God has for my life,” says Shonlock. “I want to use everything He's put in me to point people to Him regardless of music genre or ethnicity, and remain focused on the things that bring us together rather than the things that keep us apart."
For more information, visit http://www.shonlock.com.
On the heels of the chart-topping #1 radio hit “Something In Your Eyes,” Arrow Records recording artist Shonlock will release his debut album NEVERODDOREVEN (Universal Music Christian Group) on June 21, 2011.
Best known to Christian music fans as a member of TobyMac’s Diverse City, Shonlock has been busy preparing to step out into a spotlight of his own. He spent much of 2010 on tour with TobyMac and Skillet for their record-breaking Awake Tonight Tour. And later this year, Shonlock will hit the road with Group 1 Crew. But what may appear to be an overnight success story has been a long time coming.
Shonlock’s career began when he was plucked out of his Chicago high school by R. Kelly’s management team, to join R&B powerhouse Aaliyah and hip-hop pioneers Arrested Development on tour as a chorographer and dancer. From there, his name spread throughout the industry, resulting in a call from Christian hip-hop duo GRITS.
“At first, I was using a lot of my gifts and talents for the wrong reasons, but came to a whole new outlook on life after I met Verbs, who was supporting Grits at the time,” recalls Shonlock. “One day after going over some choreography he presented the Gospel to me, which was really refreshing because it was coming from somebody who understood my background and had similar interests in music. I had been going to church when I was younger, but never really grasped it, so to have it presented in a form that I could relate to and at an age when I could understand it became life changing.”
Alongside that spiritual renewal came a chance to work with like-minded stars such as Nicole C. Mullen and The Katinas, eventually catching the eyes and ears of multi-platinum artist TobyMac. Besides offering his chorography to TobyMac’s Diverse City, Shonlock became part of Diverse City as a guest vocalist/performer, a role that he maintains to this day.
While touring with TobyMac, Shonlock demonstrated that he was more than just a dancer and choreographer with a self-released CD that moved over 15,000 copies without the assistance of retail distribution. His ability to craft a song brought songwriting opportunities with touring partner TobyMac, as well as artists like Mandisa, Verbs and Kierra “Kiki” Sheard. His pop/rock/hip-hop stylings caught the attention of Arrow Records, resulting in a partnership that spawned the Where Never Begins EP in late 2010, followed by the new full-length album NEVERODDOREVEN.
“There’s a play on the title visually where it spells the same phrase forward or backwards,” says Shonlock. “The message is all about my relationship with God, and when you’re walking with Him, I never find it odd when amazing things happen. But on the flipside with the ultimate sacrifice of His son, I could never get even, which makes me forever indebted to Him.”
Much like his mentor TobyMac, Shonlock desires to create a bridge for all audiences while breaking down radio formats and spiritual stereotypes. “My goal is to be a blend for the pop, hip-hop and rock loving crowd without ever wanting to get boxed into a certain category,” he explains. “I’m not eyeing a particular marketplace, group or clique. I’m just going to do whatever I can to make sure the people that need to hear this message get a chance. If the message is truth and the music is good quality music, people will be drawn to it no matter what genre.”
For more information, visit http://www.shonlock.com.
Shonlock's hot new single, "Something In Your Eyes," has has skyrocketed to the #1 position on Billboard Magazine's Christian CHR Chart. From his debut EP, Where Never Begins (Available on Cd Baby and Itunes),this Rock/Soul singer, songwriter and performer is becoming one of the most successful Christian recording artists of his generation. His unique artistry has taken him across the globe, and his work with the late R&B soultress Aaliyah, Arrested Development, Kierra "Kiki" Sheard and Trinitee 5:7 as a dancer, choreographer and lyricist help define Shonlock's range of gifts and talents. A newcomer to the Arrow Records family, led by Pastor Taffi Dollar, Shonlock ascension to the top of the charts is just the beginning of the greatness that is in store for him.
Something In Your Eyes, the hot new single from the Rock Soul singer, songwriter, performer, Shonlock, has just entered the Billboard’s Christian CHR Charts in the number two position. From his debut EP ¬Where Never Begins, Shonlock is taking off like a rocket.
Released on Tuesday, November 9th, Where Never Begins has become an out of the box chart-topper. Known for his tours with TobyMac, Skillet and others, Shonlock is making a name for himself in the Urban Pop/Rock arena, and his album draws his fans even closer in faith, love, inspiration and more with the songs they’ve been waiting for.
Heralded by GospelCity.com as "Christian hip hop’s most distinguished and gifted freshman," the multi-instrumentalist and pop/rock/soul singer learned his craft in the clubs of Chicago before working as a choreographer for Aaliyah and later a dancer with Arrested Development. Cale Nelson of WHRZ/Spartanburg, SC says, “Shonlock is the future of CHR Radio.”
An important emerging voice on the new spirit-filled urban rock scene, Deshon "Shonlock" Bullock takes his sonic inspiration from R&B and soul, contemporary pop and rock music, finding a high energy groove in the fields of the Lord. A master showman who sold more than 15,000 CDs out-of-trunk to newly converted fans at his concerts, Shonlock shares his connection to God's love, and his love of God's music, with his audience every time he hits the stage.
Touching many with his highly inventive and compelling performances, dress and fresh approach to ministry, Shonlock is positioning himself to be the next great movement in the pop/rock/gospel world, crossing all genres of music, not just gospel.
