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Dancehall artiste Shauna Controlla has found a rejuvenated energy from her recent European tour, which she plans to channel into new music following a two-year break.

"It (the tour) was a great experience. It mek mi know how much people are still watching my creativity and appreciate it. People have love for me over there. It mek mi want fi do back music, even though I told myself I was done with music. Dem draw out back that in me. So I'll be doing music weh me love, weh suit my voice, so other people can discover me, not just my country. But I'll be doing so on my own timing," she told THE WEEKEND STAR.

The tour about which the Photoshop artiste spoke was organised by dancehall artiste Tommy Lee Sparta. It saw the entertainers visiting places such as Brussels and Frankfurt from October 25 to November 27.

For Shauna Controlla, Europe holds a special place in her heart as it was there, in 2015, that she said she first got the opportunity to perform.

"The first song mi write, I was in Europe on tour, and the first time mi hol' a mic and sing was also in Europe. It's kinda weird that I went back to the same place and got back the same inspiration and meet some lovely people," she said.

However, she acknowledged that her rise to prominence in music was due to the controversy surrounding her and the late Robert 'Gully Bop' Malcolm.

"RIP to him. I really appreciate him for taking me on the journey with him and believing in me to be his manager, and opening doors for me in that area. Regardless of what people say, he did his part, he played a good role inna mi life at the time, even though people tease mi and mek mi feel as if I did something wrong," she stated.

The dancehall artiste-turned-entrepreneur said she also credits herself for navigating the treacherous sides of the music industry.

FIGHT INNA MUSIC

"I used to do road management first, and also give out CDs when I was working for [artistes] Fantan Mojah and Nanko at Downsound [Records] in 2003. From mi a teenager mi a do dis as a promo girl, where we walk inna di hot sun and affi a do promotions. Suh a long time mi a do dis and a fight inna music fi weh mi deh now," she said.

Shauna Controlla said that when her record label dropped her during the COVID-19 pandemic, she went out and learned other skills.

"Right now I'm an aesthetician and a chemist. Mi go learn how fi literally mek things wid mi hands, and I'm selling my ingredients that I made from home to several people locally and internationally. I started these in corona as an online business, and now I own three locations in Jamaica and one in Florida. I also recently opened a clothes store in Portmore. Suh all a dem backlash yah and the things dem mi face in music, mek mi venture out to do things I never know I was capable of doing," she said.

Despite not being totally satisfied with where her musical career is, Shauna Controlla said that she is trusting the process that it will get better. She is once again dabbling in artiste management and is currently assisting with dancehall artistes D'Yani and Marcy Chin at Downsound Records.