Shawn Thwaites Rebel Quartet (STRQ)

Shawn Thwaites is a Berklee College of Music–trained musician, producer, and cultural executive from Sacramento, California, with roots in Trinidad & Tobago. A pioneering steel pannist, he became the first student accepted to Berklee College of Music with steel drums as his principal instrument. Shawn is widely recognized for blending Caribbean rhythms, jazz, African music, and contemporary global sounds into a unique musical experience. Beyond performance, he has played a major role in shaping global music culture through his leadership at the Recording Academy, where he authored the proposal for the groundbreaking Best African Music Performance category at the GRAMMY Awards. As the founder of CREW Production & Management, Shawn continues to develop artists, immersive cultural experiences, and innovative music-driven creative projects.