Haven't heard of Shawn Mendes yet? Well get ready to be swept off your feet - the teen Canadian singer-songwriter has come a long way (in a short time) since being a social media sensation!
1. Music's First "Vine Star"
The 16-year-old Canadian singer got his start posting covers to Vine in 2013, and picked up millions of views in just months. He also became popular on YouTube and was discovered online by a record exec - by January 2014 this kid had already scored a recording contract!
Shawn is music's first Vine StarCourtesy of Island Records
"It's so cool because in six seconds you have to really find something special in a song and impress people a lot to connect with them. I think that's been a big thing for me and my fans connecting."
2. He Wrote a Pizza Song with Ed Sheeran?
Shawn writes and performs all his own songs, which isn't that surprising considering how he was discovered, but what you might not know is that he'll write a song about just about anything - even pizza!
He told Fuse.tv:
"I was with Hoodie and Ed Sheeran and we were just chilling in a room, playing some chords," he continued. "Hoodie started rapping. We were waiting for a pizza which never came because my manager messed up on the pizza delivery. We were really hungry and just talking about all the good things about pizza … maybe I should record it. It’s funny."
Well, we don't have the pizza song, but we recommend listening to "Show You"!
3. Time Magazine's 25 Most Influential Teens of 2014
Despite only signing a contract in January 2014, Shawn landed a spot on Time Magazine's 25 Most Influential Teens of 2014 list alongside 13-year-old softball super star Mo'ne Davis, teen science and technology geniuses, Political activist Malala Yousafzi, a chef and big names like Lorde, Jaden Smith, and Kendall and Kylie Jenner!
Shawn is one of the Most Influential Teens of 2014Courtesy of Island Records
4. "Life of the Party" is about being the opposite!
Shawn dished to TeenNick about his inspiration for his first single "Life of the Party":
"The song is inspired by the feeling of not fitting in or not being comfortable with who you are. The lyrics basically say that you should be yourself and that you can be amazing regardless of whether you feel you fit in or not."
Shawn performs "Life of the Party" on EllenCourtesy of The Ellen DeGeneres Show
5. Record-Breaking Life of the Party
After signing with island Records, in June 2014 Shawn released his first single "Life of the Party" and he was officially the youngest artist to debut in the Top 25 with a debut song on The Billboard Hot 100. The song made it to the #24 spot. People Have been comparing Shawn to stars like Justin Bieber (not just cause of the Canadian connection) and Austin Mahone.
Check out "Life of the Party" below!
Have Your Say
What do you think of Shawn Mendes? Is he the next big thing? Let us know in the comments section below.
