Rising Star Shehxna Talks “Body in Motion,” Culture, and Creating Her Own Lane
- So FN Dope Magazine
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
Shehxna represents the next wave of artists redefining what the genre can become. The London-born, Sri Lankan singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist has built a sound rooted in vulnerability, soulful storytelling, and fearless experimentation — blending R&B, soul, gospel, and global influences into something uniquely her own. From being featured in Nike’s Air Max Day campaign to performing on stages like BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend and SXSW, Shehxna’s journey reflects an artist on the rise with a clear vision and a voice ready to be heard worldwide. As she enters a new chapter with her latest single “Body in Motion,” Shehxna sits down with SFND MAG to discuss her evolution, cultural influences, creative process, and the future she’s helping shape for R&B.
SFND MAG: How would you describe the evolution of your sound, and what influences have shaped the artist you are today?
Shehxna: My sound has really grown with me. I started out very rooted in ballads and country music because that’s what I was surrounded by growing up, especially with piano being such a big part of how I learned music. Over time, moving into R&B pockets, soul textures, and more experimental production just became natural because I never wanted to limit myself to one lane. I think the evolution has been me getting more honest and more confident in blending everything I love without overthinking where it “fits.” I’ve also learned to trust silence, space, and imperfection in my music, which has made everything feel more human and less forced.
SFND MAG: What inspired “Body in Motion,” and what do you want listeners to feel?
Shehxna: “Body in Motion” came from that feeling of momentum, emotionally, creatively, and even physically, when you’re in a space or with someone that just pulls something out of you. It’s about energy, attraction, and freedom, but also about trusting where you’re being led. I want people to feel light when they hear it. There’s also a layer of self-trust in it for me, like learning to follow instinct without overthinking every step.
SFND MAG: How has navigating London, Sri Lankan heritage, and New York influenced your music?
Shehxna: It’s made my storytelling really layered. London gave me edge and lyricism, Sri Lankan roots gave me depth and a sense of identity that I always carry quietly but proudly, and New York pushed me to be bolder and more direct. All three spaces shaped how I express emotion, there’s always a mix of softness and grit in everything I do because I’ve lived in different worlds at once. I think that blend is what makes my perspective feel a bit different, because I’m constantly translating between cultures, sounds, and energies.
SFND MAG: Most surreal moment of your career so far?
Shehxna: Honestly, this year there have been a few, but hearing my music on platforms like BBC Radio and then stepping into spaces like the Nike Air Max Day campaign and seeing myself across billboards in NYC was surreal. It’s one thing to create in your room, but it’s another thing to see it live outside of you in spaces you grew up admiring.
SFND MAG: How important is honesty and personal experience in your music?
Shehxna: It’s everything. If it’s not real, I can’t really connect to it. Even when I’m storytelling or building characters, it always comes from something I’ve felt or observed closely. I think that’s why songs like “Jaded Love” and “Lover Girl” resonate—they’re not perfect stories, they’re human ones.
SFND MAG: How does being a multi-instrumentalist impact your writing?
Shehxna: It changes everything. Piano especially is where I think first, not lyrics. I’ll build chords that feel like emotion before I even know what I’m going to say. Drums help me understand pacing and energy. So even when I’m writing vocals, I’m thinking like a producer in a way, it makes the music feel more intentional. It also gives me a deeper connection to the record because I know exactly how every layer is working together.
SFND MAG: Performer vs recording artist—what’s the difference for you?
Shehxna: In the studio, I’m really internal. I’m shaping emotion, layering ideas, and getting lost in detail. On stage, it’s the opposite, I’m giving everything out. That version of me is louder, freer, and way more instinctive. I think the separation lets me balance control and chaos in a healthy way. Live performances also teach me what songs actually mean beyond how I wrote them.
SFND MAG: What have SXSW and Maida Vale taught you?
Shehxna: They taught me that preparation matters just as much as talent. Those spaces are iconic, but they don’t do the work for you, you still have to show up fully as an artist. It also reminded me that I belong in rooms like that, even when they feel bigger than you at first. And more importantly, it showed me that consistency is what keeps you in those rooms, not just one moment.
SFND MAG: Where do you see yourself in the future of R&B?
Shehxna: I see myself in the space where R&B keeps expanding. I don’t think it’s one sound anymore, it’s a feeling that can live anywhere. I want to be part of the artists pushing it into more hybrid spaces where culture, genre, and storytelling all blur together. I also want to help keep the emotional core of R&B alive while experimenting with how it sounds sonically.
For me personally, I really want people to hear the full range of what I can do vocally and not place me in one box. I’m intentional about showing different sides of my voice, whether that’s soft, raw, powerful, or more experimental, because I grew up doing so many styles and I don’t want to lose that versatility. I want my artistry to feel like it can move between worlds while still staying authentic to who I am at the center of it.
SFND MAG: Differences between London, New York, and US scenes?
Shehxna: London feels very raw and lyric-driven, there’s a strong emphasis on identity and wordplay. New York is fast, competitive, and very performance-focused. The wider US scene is more expansive sonically. Being in between all of that has helped me understand how to adapt without losing myself. It’s also taught me how important it is to stay grounded in your own voice when everything around you moves so quickly.
SFND MAG: How do you stay grounded with recognition?
Shehxna: I try not to attach too much of my identity to recognition. What keeps me grounded is remembering why I started making music in the first place and staying focused on growing as an artist and as a person. My faith is a big part of that too, I really try to move with gratitude and trust that I’m being guided in the right direction.
SFND MAG: What do you want new listeners to know about you through “Body in Motion”?
Shehxna: I want them to know I’m still evolving. “Body in Motion” is a reflection of where I am right now, more free, more confident, and more open. But it’s still just one chapter. There’s a lot more layers to come. I don’t see it as a full definition of me, but more like an introduction to a new energy I’m stepping into.
SFND MAG: Who is another artist you think is “So FN Dope” and why?
Shehxna: Stormzy. I think what he’s done for UK music, and the way he carries himself as an artist, is powerful. He has this ability to be massive sonically while still staying grounded in what he’s saying and who he is. What I also really admire is how intentional he is with his storytelling, and how he isn’t afraid to evolve, whether that’s stepping into more melodic spaces or opening up in a more vulnerable way. I also love how he weaves gospel elements and faith into his music in such a real, organic way. That balance of spirituality and honesty really resonates with me. He’s definitely someone I look up to, and one day I would honestly love to do a record with him.
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