Fresno’s Queen Stevie Unveils the Creative Process Behind ‘Killa’ with Local Director Shawn F
Fresno, CA—Queen Stevie, known in the local music scene as Stevie Buchanan, has taken a bold step with her latest track, “Killa.” Born and raised in Fresno, Stevie is an artist with many talents—she’s an R&B singer, rapper, actress, model, and podcast host for Real Talk Central Valley, CA. But “Killa” marks a departure from her usual sound, as she ventures into the rap and hip-hop genre, proving once again that she’s not afraid to push her creative boundaries.
For Stevie, “Killa” was more than just another song; it was a personal challenge. “I write R&B songs all the time, and I wanted to change my wave,” she explained. The project began as an experiment to see how she could adapt her style to a different genre. “I challenged myself with doing kind of like a rap, hip-hop song to see how I could flow, challenge myself a bit. And it ended up succeeding. My delivery ended up surprising me,” Stevie shared with a smile.
The music video for “Killa” is as much a reflection of Stevie’s roots as the song itself. As a proud Latina from Fresno, Stevie wanted the visuals to capture the essence of her community. “I’m a Latina, so I wanted to go for the typical Latina look, especially for my area, Fresno, California, the 559,” she said. The video was shot in downtown Fresno, showcasing the city’s unique style and highlighting Stevie as a representative of her hometown. “My song is a representation of me being the face of my city. So that’s pretty much the inspiration behind the song and how I went about it, my style to it, and all of the above,” she added.
To bring her vision for the “Killa” video to life, Stevie collaborated with Shawn F, a well-known director in the Central Valley music scene. “Shout out to Shawn F. I chose him because he’s been representing Fresno, California, the 559, holding it down for the longest time,” Stevie explained. Shawn F has a reputation for promoting local talent and bringing major artists to Fresno, making him the perfect partner for this project. “He’s been traveling, he’s been bringing other celebrities to the 559 to do shows and pack out shows. And he’s trying his best to put Fresno on the map, and that I have a lot of respect for,” Stevie said, emphasizing the pride she feels in working with someone who shares her passion for their city.
The collaboration between Stevie and Shawn F resulted in a video that not only showcases Stevie’s talents but also shines a spotlight on Fresno’s vibrant culture. “It’s more of a proud moment to see another person from my city being able to achieve such things like that,” Stevie reflected. Their shared dedication to representing Fresno adds an authentic touch to the project, making “Killa” a true celebration of local artistry.
Stevie’s return to the music scene comes after a brief hiatus, during which she focused on her personal life and growing her family. The birth of her daughter, Lovely, brought new inspiration and motivation to her work. “Every time I do take a break, it’s only to come back harder,” Stevie noted. With renewed energy, she’s been more strategic in her approach, carefully planning her projects and setting higher standards for herself. “When I took a break, I came back harder. My project started becoming more strategic. I kind of just used to go in there freely. But now I’m just like, okay, we got plans,” she said.
With several exciting projects on the horizon, including the release of her new music video for “Somebody Like Me” and her upcoming EP “God’s Favorite,” which will feature “Killa,” Stevie is ready to take her career to the next level. Her journey with “Killa” has not only showcased her versatility as an artist but also her commitment to her roots and her community.
If you haven’t had the chance to see the “Killa” video, make sure to watch it and witness the powerful collaboration between Stevie Buchanan and Shawn F, as they bring their shared vision to life.
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