Kamera Shai (born Beril Celik) is a Turkish-born recording artist and songwriter who redefines the fusion of poetry and sound. Raised in Istanbul and educated at Robert College, she is now based between Istanbul, Berlin, and Los Angeles, crafting emotionally raw compositions that transform pain into dreamlike, stream-of-consciousness anthems of anti-fragility.

Musical foundation

Kamera Shai's artistic journey began at age six with classical piano training, earning certificates from the Royal Academy of Music. Her musical palette was shaped by dual influences: her father's love of both Turkish and international music exposed her to Eastern and Western traditions that remain prominent in her work today. Through years of school choir as an alto, she developed her musical ear by singing harmonies rather than the main melodies—a skill that now informs her unique compositional approach.

The artist's path

After earning degrees from University College London and the London School of Economics, Kamera Shai initially pursued a traditional corporate path in management consulting. However, her analytical university years—studying mechanical engineering and business finance—left her craving artistic expression. During this time, she discovered her songwriting talent at Point Blank, London's prominent electronic music school (also attended by Leona Lewis and Izzy Bizu). Under the guidance of vocal coach Phil Ramocon, who had trained Leona Lewis, she studied the works of Prince, Alicia Keys, and Mariah Carey, developing her vocal technique and range.

Though she found her voice as a songwriter during these formative years, self-criticism initially hindered her creative flow. It wasn't until later, with encouragement from a former partner, that she was introduced to Grammy-winning songwriter Al Sherrod Lambert—the legendary force behind Ariana Grande's "The Way," Janet Jackson's "Made for Now," and Michelle Williams' "Say Yes" featuring Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland.

Current works

In 2023, Kamera Shai debuted with "Ruined Mona Lisa," produced by Grammy-winning, New Orleans-based music producer Deezle (Lil Wayne, Drake, Kanye West) and sound engineer/rapper International GT. She is currently preparing to self-release new tracks co-written and co-produced with Al Sherrod Lambert, including "Riot," "Sun's Room," and "Revel In My Flaws."

Kamera Shai's sonic identity balances classical structure, modal melodies, and jazz improvisation, deeply shaped by mentorship with Berklee-trained musician and composer Guc Basar Gulle, based in Istanbul. Beyond music, she is expanding her artistic expression through pole dancing and high heel performance training.

Artistic philosophy

The name: "Kamera Shai" emerged from being called "camera-shy" by a close friend—a playful nod to her introverted nature that contrasts with her bold artistic expression. "Kamera" means camera in Turkish (honoring her roots), while "Shai" means gift in Hebrew.

Literary influences: drawing inspiration from Sylvia Plath, Emily Dickinson, Ocean Vuong, and Virginia Woolf's stream-of-consciousness technique, Kamera weaves literary lyricism into her compositions. She has honed her craft through studies at NYU, The New School, and Brooklyn Poets.

Creative process: through years of transcendental meditation practice, Kamera has learned to access her flow state without immediate judgment. Influenced by Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" and "The Creative Act," she embraces ambiguity, duality, and paradoxical elements in her lyricism. Her words emerge from raw, unfiltered subconscious imagery, often revealing deeper metaphors and meanings months after creation.

Themes: her music explores heartbreak, emotional obstacles, vulnerability, and the courage to be seen—ultimately celebrating anti-fragility and the strength found in struggle. She writes and records in both Turkish and English, constantly pushing her creative boundaries while staying true to her authentic voice.

Kamera Shai transforms introspection and movement into poetic storytelling, creating music that serves as both personal revelation and universal connection. She releases her music independently, and her work is available on Spotify, YouTube Music, and Tidal.