The Shoe Box Collection Volume 1 by Chinua Hawk

" Says Chinua.

Along with his extensive touring record, Chinua also boasts CD sales not only in the US, but also in France, England, Japan, Switzerland, and Canada. Not bad for an unsigned act.

Chinua counts himself very fortunate in his career to have performed with, Celine Dion in front of a crowd of 30,000 people at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He has also written songs with Wyclef Jean, and worked in the studio with producer/rapper Kanye West on rapper Talib Kweli's song "Just To Get By" just to name a few of his accomplishments.

Chinua Hawk has won the 2003 Heineken Music initiative/ ASCAP Foundation R&B songwriters Grant, along with his songwriting partner Kwame Viapree for their song "I Remember You" featured on his CD Sunflower. Chinua's other accomplishments include winning the Disc Makers Independent Music World Series 2004 beating out over 1,000 bands with just a guitar player to accompany him. He was also named the APCA Multi-Cultural Artist of the year 2004. Chinua's music has been heard on several college radio stations around the country as well as Philadelphia's WUSL Power 99 fm (Inner City Live), and WXPN 88.5 Fm. Millions heard Chinua's song "Can't Move On" from his debut independent release The Beautiful Things when it aired on the CBS drama "Joan of Arcadia."

Currently Chinua has released a new CD called The Shoe Box Collection, which is a compilation of songs that Chinua has always loved but never released. He's also working on a new CD, which is tentatively going to be called Soul Children.

When asked what was the performance that made him most nervous Chinua replies... "Well, I'm always nervous, but the one that got me was performing the National Anthem at a basketball game for Utah State in front of 10,000 screaming fans! That was scary, but I'd love to do it again!"

When asked if he had any inspiring words to offer the singers coming up behind him, Chinua says, "Don't be so consumed with getting a record deal. It doesn't make or break you and it's not the deciding factor in whether or not you are a success as an artist. I've been to many major labels over the years and they didn't see what I saw or feel what I felt so that was fine with me. I work just like any other artist out there. I tour, record, and sell music among the best of them, so it's ok. I say all of this to say, don't be afraid if they tell you no. You will only fail if you don't try and doubt yourself because of the opinion of someone else. Remember that they are not concerned about your well being, their only concern is their bottom line! Keep the faith and keep moving! If they won't let you in the front door, then break down the back door! It's just that simple. " Faith in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ can move any obstacle!"

"On a personal note, everyone that knows me knows that I have struggled with my weight all of my life and dealing with some of the closed minds in the music industry only helped to make it worse. I'm so glad that I decided to go on tour anyway and have met so many wonderful people. You have all encouraged me to keep on keeping on!!

The funny thing is that out of all of the performances I've done in American and abroad I've never had one person walk up to me and say, that they wouldn't buy my music because they thought I was too big. I thank you all so much and please continue to support independent artists like myself. We need you.''

God Bless

Chinua Hawk

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