Shawnna

Shawnna, born Rashawnna Guy as the daughter of blues guitarist Buddy Guy, emerged as an MC on Chicago’s south side and started crafting rhymes during her high school years. Her initial opportunity arrived in 1996 when the duo Infamous Syndicate, which she formed, supported Junior M.A.F.I.A. during a Chicago performance. Relativity inked the pair the following year, leading to the 1999 release of Changing the Game. Despite contributions from No ID and Kanye West, the project failed to match its ambitious name, resulting in the duo’s dismissal from the label and eventual dissolution. Shawnna subsequently connected with Ludacris, who featured her on his breakout single “What’s Your Fantasy.” After issuing a project alongside the Disturbing Tha Peace collective fronted by Luda, she issued her own Def Jam debut, Worth Tha Weight, two years later. Production on the album came from West, Timbaland, Just Blaze, Shondrae, Icedrake, and Jermaine Dupri.