Check Out Markus Shields’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Markus Shields.

Hi Markus, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always had an affinity for storytelling — that instinct showed up early and never left. When my mother passed at twelve, poetry became my refuge, the place where emotion turned into expression and my voice gained its edge. By senior year, a teacher accused me of plagiarism because my paper was “too good,” and that’s when I knew my pen had power.

I started dancing at eighteen, and the narrative in me naturally moved into motion. Music had been in the background my whole life — band as a kid, then flipping old records into hip-hop and R&B at sixteen just for fun. I didn’t realize it then, but those playful experiments were quietly shaping the creator I’d become.

When the pandemic hit, everything converged. My poetry grew into songwriting, and my years in dance and production pushed me into mixing and remixing — creating soundscapes dancers could live inside of.

That’s how my companies came alive: Audio Chop, my professional remixing business serving pro teams, colleges, studios, and more; and Thrones Unknown, my music production company — the home for the worlds I want to build through songwriting, sound and imagination.

My path hasn’t been traditional, but it’s been intentional — a fusion of movement, rhythm, and voice that’s still unfolding.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road definitely hasn’t always been smooth, but it’s always felt possible because I’ve stayed a dedicated creator. I’ve had seasons of uncertainty, long stretches of self-teaching, financial gaps, and moments where I had to rebuild my confidence from scratch. Navigating dance, music, and entrepreneurship at the same time isn’t simple — each path comes with its own setbacks and lessons.

But even in the toughest moments, the work itself never felt heavy. Creativity has always been my anchor, and as long as I’m building, learning, or shaping something new, the challenges feel like part of the journey rather than obstacles stopping it.

In a way, the bumps in the road have strengthened my drive — they’ve kept me sharp, adaptable, and committed to evolving as an artist and a business owner.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a creator who moves between dance, music, and storytelling with intention. I choreograph, write songs, produce, and design sounds for choreographers to live within. Through Audio Chop, I provide professional remixing for pro teams, colleges, and studios. Through Thrones Unknown, I produce original music and develop larger creative concepts.

I’ve danced for artists like Kendrick Lamar, Mariah Carey, Brandy, SZA, and more, and I’ve created arrangements for Latin superstar Chayanne’s tour, the Sacramento Kings, the Dallas Cowboys, and a long list of other pro teams and D1 universities.

I’m most proud of the way I’ve blended poetry, movement, and production into one voice. What sets me apart is my ability to create emotion, clarity, and energy across every medium — I don’t just make work, I make experiences people can feel.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I see risk as part of the creative life — not something to fear, just something to prepare for. I don’t jump blindly, but I do move when something in me knows it’s time. Most of the major shifts in my career came from risk: starting dance at eighteen, diving into production without formal training, building Audio Chop during a pandemic, and stepping into songwriting and creative direction because I felt called to create more than just movement.

Every one of those choices required me to bet on myself before the results were guaranteed. But that’s how I operate: I take calculated risks rooted in intention, preparation, and instinct. I’ve learned that the bigger danger is staying still. Growth lives in the moments where you say “I’m ready,” even when the path isn’t fully mapped out.

So no — I’m not reckless. But I do believe in trusting your vision enough to leap when the moment comes

Contact Info:

• Website: AudioChop.com – MarkusShields.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markusshields?igsh=MXZuN3M5aTZwazVvag%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markusshields?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thronesunknown?si=iiH2aCjgMBtOarUR

Image Credits
Jimmy Love
Jeremy David