Shehxna Shows us Something Different with “Body In Motion”
On Wednesday, June 3rd, the UK R&B artist ‘Shehxna‘ releases her newest single “Body in Motion.” Born and raised in London, the 22-year-old singer-songwriter has always had a deep passion for music. It’s no coincidence that the now NYC-based musician is turning heads.
“Everything I’ve done in my life has centered on this one dream of mine. I want to make music and become a global star.” Shehana isn’t tied down to a singular genre. Her musical sound floats in between the realms of R&B, Rap, Soul, and Gospel. By being open to working with different producers on different genres, her versatility has become her best ability.
Shehxna: A Star in the Making
Shehana encountered countless influences as a child, but everything comes back to her roots. Growing up in the UK, specifically in North London, and expressing her Sri Lankan heritage makes her music unique. Sonically, the UK music culture strongly shapes her style. Exposed to R&B, grime, rap, and artists like Georgia Smith, Stormzy, and Dave at a young age, Shehana’s discography runs deep.
On the other hand, her South Asian roots take the emotional and personal side of songwriting. The importance of family reliance and identity is unmatched as Sri Lanka continues to shape her background and who she is as an artist. Her identity and music are forever intertwined, “Last week I had a panel about South Asian artists and I was saying how important it was for me to have my identity and music as one rather than 2 separate things.”
Additionally, the Italia Conti Performing Arts School in the UK was another massive influence. Yet again, Shehana’s versatility was tested. By tirelessly training with vocal coaches and branching out into the world of acting and dance she became a triple threat. Every aspect of her artistry is fully developed, “Discipline and confidence as a performer. I took it very seriously, it wasn’t something my parents made me do. I learned how to become comfortable and express my vulnerability.”
The Musical Story behind ‘Body In motion’
Shehana’s music is raw and soulful. It’s a real person describing real experiences rooted in emotion and vulnerability. In the same way, her music always means something. It’s not there just for the sake of it. Connection between the artist and listener is the #1 priority. This further aids in her ability to perform across genres and resonate with listeners all over: “You could give me an Adele song and I could belt it, but you could also give me a Stormzy song and I could go bar for bar in it.” The music guides her, and the balance between genres happens organically.
Shehana’s “Body in Motion” was developed quite quickly. As a matter of fact, it was a one and done situation. Immersing herself in the fast-paced energy of NYC, Shehana channeled adrenaline, confidence, freedom, connection, and emotion into one song. With the inclusion of various high vocal notes, “Body in Motion” shows listeners Shehana’s wide range of talent. Her music does not lack authenticity, with this song being no different. The excitement for this release is off the charts:
“I just want people to absorb the energy of the release. I think there are certain songs that you just instantly need to move to or sing along without thinking about it. That’s what this record was about and what I wanted. I want people to experience it as they listen to it. I think it’s so different from what I’ve released before which is really exciting for me. It feels like it has a little element of pop and movement to it. I think this record will give people a deeper insight into my range. I just want people to listen and be like ‘wow she can low-key do a lot’. I’m not limited to one sound or lane.”
What’s Next in 2026?
Shehana’s grind and hunger for music are unparalleled. Singing since the age of 4, training since she was 13, and knowing that coming to America was the end goal at 9 shows her unwavering devotion to music. Moving to America at 18 years old alone is no easy feat. It’s taken four long years to get here, but 2026 will be the year of Shehxna. Fully embracing the hustle and bustle of New York City isn’t for everyone, but Shehana continues to impress, “I’m going to continue to build my presence as an artist in such a bigger way, not just through my music but through visibility, conversation, and spaces that align with who I am creatively and personally.”
She’ll keep releasing music, but fans can expect to see Shehana’s name and face a lot more. “Of course music is the center of everything, but I think fans can expect more releases, more visual experimentation creatively and seeing me step into my identity on a larger scale. I want them to see what I’m building behind the scenes that they might not expect,” She told The Garnette Report.
The excitement is building, go stream Body in Motion now!
Shehxna Interview Questions
1. If you had to describe your musical approach in 3 words, what would they be? Why?
2. You have both Sri Lankan and London roots, which do you think comes through more strongly in your songwriting?
3. Describe your experience training at the Italia Conti Performing Arts School in he UK. How did that affect your music style and what did you learn?
4. Your music lies somewhere in between the genres of R&B, soul, Rap and gospel. How do you balance those influences and decide what direction a song should take?
6. What was the inspiration behind your upcoming single ‘Body in Motion’?
7. What do you hope listeners take away from this ‘Body in Motion’?
8. What is the next step in evolving your music career and what can fans expect from you next?