Music
WAKING UP to new music is always a treat—and SHANNi is something worth rising for in the morning. Ashanti “SHANNi” Silonga is making waves in the local scene with her evolving and dynamic sound, a blend of bedroom and indie-folk pop.
Balancing a burgeoning musical career and the academic demands of being an undergraduate student, SHANNi’s life and career are in constant motion. Today, the “19” singer is coloring the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) scene with a growing and loving community, stories told through song, and a sound that is uniquely hers.
The not-so-secret upbringing
When asked about how SHANNi’s music career unfolded, she recalls that her journey began because of her father. “I started listening and making music because of my dad,” she shared. SHANNi grew up in a household where music and the arts were second nature, allowing her to be constantly immersed in rhythm and creativity.
Her father, Allan “Daddy A” Silonga, formerly a member of the band Daddy’s Home, would often bring SHANNi and her siblings to his band performances, giving her a feel of the stage and spotlight. Without fully realizing it at the time, she came to see that this quiet encouragement from her father had shaped her overall love and desire for music.
By the age of 16, SHANNi started turning her thoughts and stories into lyrics and melodies. What started as a personal hobby became even more meaningful when she found herself diving deeper into music at the height of the pandemic. She explored new sounds, drew inspiration from different artists, and spent hours watching music production tutorials on YouTube.
Soon, she began uploading song covers online, her first being “Pretty Girl” by Clairo, followed by “Suyo” by Reon. These covers served as her small steps of courage that ultimately led to the release of her debut single “Sa Panaginip” in 2023.
During the promotion of “Sa Panaginip,” she was able to perform her very first gig at the 70s Bistro in Quezon City, marking a milestone in her career. Seeing people attend her performance and hearing how her music has lifted them up and eased their worries made her realize that she is finally fulfilling her dream. For SHANNi, this was her vision all along—to inspire, heal, and move people through her craft.
What warmed her even more was that her own music was able to birth a small but meaningful community. Still, behind this fulfillment lies the reality that, while her career has blossomed beautifully, it did not always come smoothly.
Like most developing artists, SHANNi has faced her share of struggles. Chief among them is carving out her own name in the industry—a challenge made greater due to her close family ties.
As the sister of Blaster Silonga, a member of the band IV of Spades, she shared that being associated with him sometimes made her feel overshadowed, affecting her perspective on her own career standing. This relation left her with mixed emotions—pride and celebration for her brother’s achievements—but also self-doubt over the curation of her own artistic identity.
She wondered if she could ever step out of her father’s and brother’s shadows, who happen to be the same people who had inspired her to jumpstart her music career. That mix of admiration and uncertainty was present, but instead of avoiding it, she simply chose to embrace it.
Through perseverance, she poured herself undividedly into her craft, writing and producing songs made with love and her own stories. In doing so, she unknowingly created a community of listeners who have found comfort and a safe space through SHANNi’s lyrics and melodies.
Grooving between the campus and the stage
Alongside her growing career as a musician, she works hard as a student balancing life with her passions. She admitted that juggling her education and professional work has not been easy. Aside from the usual class units and semestral grades, she also received comments discouraging her from pursuing college because of her well-known upbringing, which exacerbated the existing pressure of defining herself in her musical career.
These conflicting comments stirred confusion, filling her mind with pools of doubt and making her question whether she should adhere to others’ expectations instead of seeking what she truly desires. As time went on, however, SHANNi confided in the realization that this pressure was inevitable and that it was something she had to learn to endure.
As it turns out, choosing to continue college ended up becoming one of the best decisions she has ever made. Taking up Music Production at De La Salle University – College of Saint Benilde not only honed and challenged her artistic skills but also granted her an opportunity to surround herself with like-minded colleagues. What once felt like a tug-of-war between school and music slowly shifted into harmony.
Songwriting and producing were no longer lonely activities, but rather shared safe spaces with friends where random ideas and stories could transform into songs. With the unwavering support of her circle, SHANNi was able to find the courage she needed to step out of her comfort zone and grow, while simultaneously finding joy and solace in the community she has built both beyond and within campus grounds.
It was during this period of growth in her college journey when she released a single entitled “Sikretong Tayo Lang May Alam.” The song, released shortly after Pride Month, explores a secret relationship between two queer individuals—a love forced into the shadows because of lingering judgment. Despite production setbacks, the track, which she described as a “hug” for the LGBTQIA+ community, remains one of her proudest releases. This has also become a career highlight—standing as her most popular release..
With her comforting lyrics and melodies, SHANNi’s songs resonate with many. From queer individuals to older generations of music enthusiasts, there is always a place for everyone in her community—a place where fans find their own beat within her music.
“Nagulat ako [may mga bata] na kasama mga parents [nila] […] natuwa ako kasi na-inspire ko sila kahit ganun pa lang sila kaliit,” (I was surprised to see children with their parents […] I was happy because no matter how young they were, I was able to inspire them,) she expresses warmly.
Moments like this highlight how her performances serve as a way for fans and artists alike to work together and inspire one another—ultimately curating a community that shares an unconditional love and appreciation for OPM.
Dancing to the romance tomorrow brings
As the year continues, SHANNi shows no signs of stopping. Building on her previous two releases, she plans to enrich her artistry further by exploring different themes, songs, and production techniques—eventually finding the sound that suits her perfectly. As a testament to this process, she intends to release an EP with a more cohesive and unified sound, unlike her previous releases that played on different genres and narratives.
Along with her aspirations to refine and experiment further with new tunes, she plans to perform at more gigs across Metro Manila, aiming specifically for one this upcoming Halloween season. Aside from just stepping on stage, SHANNi stated that she wanted to focus more on her music this time around and tap into the planning and production aspects of an event.
As she looks forward to a year packed with events and songwriting, she leaves a heartfelt message to her supporters. “Just keep doing what you’re doing and never get tired of it,” she says. She stressed the importance of blocking out the negativity and finding people who respect and acknowledge your talents. She declares, “Surround yourself with the right people na magssupport sayo at maniniwala sayo at sa craft mo. Tuloy lang sa ginagawa.” (Surround yourself with the right people who will support and believe in you and your craft. Continue what you’re doing.)
SHANNi’s rich story and love for her craft struck a chord in the local music scene, creating a community filled with love and driven by inspiration. By filling the air with songs of tenderness and connection, she has carved out a space to express her truth, allowing fans, old and young alike, to also embrace their honest selves.
