(July 16, 2008) - PCM staff writer Julie Kissane spent one sunny afternoon on the east coast speaking with Shontelle, the newest singing sensation to emerge from Barbados (Rihanna, anyone?). Shontelle's debut album, Shontelligence, is set for a fall release. She's already received a significant level of popularity in the Caribbean and has become quite a household name. In addition to a budding musical career, Shontelle is an artist that has been pursuing an education at The University of West Indies. PCM thinks that is awesome, she's very multi-talented! Although she's busy with recording, getting ready for a tour, and traveling, Shontelle says that deep down she's just an ol' fashioned beach-bum!

Shontelle was nice enough to take time out of her busy schedule and chat on her way through New York! Scroll down for the transcript of her interview and more pictures.

Start listening to the radio to catch a listen of her new single, "T-Shirt." Don't want to do that? Don't worry, we've got you covered with her the Mp3 of the song below!

Listen to the song here!

J: Hi Shontelle, great to talk to you, your album is getting ready for release! Has it been a long time coming, are you nervous? Anxious? How do you feel?

S: I'm all of the above! I put so much time and effort into something and it's an emotional rollercoaster. You just have to hope that people will like it.

J: I imagine there is a lot of pressure..

S: (laughs) Yeah!

J: Where did you do most of your recording? NY? L.A?

S: Most of it was in New York but I did some in LA, some in Atlanta, some in Barbados. I had a fun time.

J: Oh, cool! What do you think about Barbados being this hot spot for talent now!

S: It's crazy, there's talent everywhere but it's a matter of opportunity, I guess. Luckily for us, we have a production company that picked up Rihanna and its kept going and going. It's a small little rock out in the Caribbean and people are noticing that there's a lot of talent there.

J: Do you find that there's a musical culture there that's influential to you?

S: Oh, very much so! In Barbados, our local music is soca, we have reggae down there too. It's music that I was raised on and grew up around, but I also had MTV and BET, so I experienced mainstream stuff, too.

J: Are you recognized at home a lot?

S: Yeah, (laughs) it's mainly because of writing a song called, Roll. That took off for me and it's how I got my stardom there.

J: Are you still in school right now?

S: Yeah, my major is in law and philosophy and I literally have about two more courses to take until I graduate. Don't ask me how I am going to get that done! (laughs) I had an interesting situation where I got this opportunity to do all these big things and I had to choose. Get signed or two more courses. There are opportunities that you just can't pass up. I think I would have been dumb and didn't take the chance and do it.

J: It's admirable to see that you're a young artist that's still pursuing an education as well. How was collaborating with Beenie Man? I saw you did that.

S: It was so fun! He's so much fun, amazing.

J: Are you planning a tour after the album release?

S: Yeah, I want to plan a national promo tour and get everyone to get informed of the album.

J: Any particular places you want to visit and play at?

S: Everywhere! I want to go everywhere and perform for everywhere. I want to tour all the coasts! I want to take my music everywhere.

J: You have such a colorful and diverse background and story to you already but is there any one fact or tidbit that many people don't know about you?

S: I am pretty much, coming from the islands, a total beach girl, a beach bum. When I'm home, I love to stay home all day at the beach, I love to body board. We call it sponging. I love so many things, reading, I have a bike, I love to ride. I have three dogs, I love animals.

J: Well, thank you so much for squeezing me into your day and getting to talk to me, I really appreciate it!

S: No problem, maybe I'll see you one day at a show! Thank you so much!