Interview: SHAB discusses her latest release ‘It’s On You’

On from her previous top 25 US dance radio single, ‘Skin & Bones’ (Damon Sharpe remix) which dropped at the end of ’25 – SHAB makes a welcome return with her latest anticipated release.

Titled ‘It’s On You‘ & in collaboration with San Diego based artist, Preston Harris – the result is a Afro-House influenced duet, blending hypnotic rhythms, melodic hooks and emotional call-and-response vocals.

Built for dance floors & crossover playlists, ‘It’s On You’ marries SHAB’s global pop energy – with the signature vocals of Preston Harris, who’s fresh off a #1 Dance Radio hit with HUGEL & delivers a memorable high-impact record, with strong replay value.

With her inspiring story, from Iranian refugee to rising pop icon – SHAB continues to use her platform for more than music & working with nonprofit organisations, such as London-based Choose Love & Hope Supply Co. of north Texas.

We caught up with SHAB to discuss her latest single ‘It’s On You‘ & future plans.

Great to have you at I House U, SHAB & where in the world can our readers find you currently?

I am happy to say that I am at home in Dallas for a couple of weeks after a fairly busy travel schedule during February & March. During that time I’ve been to the East and West Coasts of the U.S., the Netherlands, Belgium, France, England & Mexico. But I’ll be back in Los Angeles during April for a full work week of recording and song production.

With your single ‘It’s On You’ recently coming out, is this the first time you’ve collaborated with Preston Harris?

That is correct, I’ve never collaborated with Preston before this release.

Last year, I came across his track LOOSEN UP with the rising French DJ, HUGEL, and was absolutely amazed by Preston’s voice. I reached out to my longtime producer & co-manager Damon Sharpe, telling him as to how much that I would like to work with Preston — and, as it quite often turns out, Damon both knew Preston and then made it happen.

A sound that’s afro influenced & perfect for the warmer months ahead, how long was the single in production?

That question actually leads to another situation where Damon worked his magic!

At the beginning of 2025, I came across a song, SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN, by an EDM artist of which I’d never heard previously by the name of Avalan Rokston. When I informed Damon as to how much I liked their groove and would love the opportunity to collaborate, Damon once again indicated that he knew Valentijn Hoogwerf of the Avalan Rokston and would see if there was an interest in working together.

After confirming his desire to work together, Valentijn also communicated his intention to come through Los Angeles in order to attend the Coachella festival — and with the further coincidence that he would be available there during my only offweek from a three-month national TV and radio tour, when I was scheduled to be working on some music videos and in-process tracks in Los Angeles.

So Damon, Valentijn & I got together in Damon’s studio for two days during April 2025 — and our work went so smoothly that we actually got four songs out of the sessions together rather than the two that we had planned! These tracks will all appear on an EP that I am planning to release later during 2026.

When it comes to who you collaborate with, what kind of synergy are you looking for?

You know, I’ve gotten to the point where I have found that life is too short to work with disagreeable people! I want to work only with talented and reliable people who share my values but also mirror my dedication to positive congeniality.

Damon sets the tone for this quality of group interactions within my Shab Squad team: and both Valentijn & Preston are incredibly kind, thoughtful and talented individuals who nicely fit into that mix — two very special guys!

Are there any plans for a remix to follow of ‘It’s On You’?

Not as of yet, but I would be completely unsurprised if and when it happens!

As a touring artist, what shows do you have coming up that our readers can find you at?

We have no firm plans as of right now for the summer but I expect that I will be making a couple of appearances at shows. However — and crossing my fingers(!) — we are working on something for the coming autumn which could be for me personally both a really big event and career development marker. We shall see!

Beyond ‘It’s On You’, are you already working on your next release?

Well, I actually haven’t spoken about this publicly previously, but Damon & I have been back in the studio during March with two A-List songwriters: JHart (with whom I worked on four of my tracks off my 2025 double album ONE SUITCASE) and Bonnie McKee (who has worked with Charlie Puth, Britney Spears, Katy Perry & Christina Aguilera). After our first week in the studio, I think that we’ve created at least three bangers which we’ll be releasing later this year — and I can’t wait for everyone to hear them!

Connect with SHAB:
www.shabofficial.com
www.instagram.com/shabmusicofficial
www.tiktok.com/@shabmusicofficial