Shaliek

R&B performer Shaliek Rivers, whose influences include Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway, landed a short-term contract with Universal that yielded the 2005 single “Get 2 Know Ya” featuring Juvenile. The Bronx native logged studio sessions alongside Alicia Keys and Rockwilder as well as Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, yet the arrangement ultimately collapsed. Rivers went on to pen material for Day26 and Jordan Knight, then secured a solo contract with the Pendulum label. In 2012 Essence and Billboard both spotlighted the artist—now performing under his first name alone—within roundups of rising talent. The next year he issued the emotionally candid ballad “The Past” ahead of his debut album, Blood Sweat Tears.