Key Takeaways
- Claressa Shields previewed nine tracks from her upcoming album, What Did You Expect, at an Atlanta listening party that drew more than 500 guests, including Papoose, Scrappy, and Dondria.
- Shields performed several songs and celebrated her lead single “Party,” which arrived with a music video ahead of the event; she hasn’t announced an album release date.
- The undefeated boxer is also developing GWOATS with Zeus Network, with a 19-0 professional record and 21 career world titles.
Claressa Shields has conquered the boxing ring. Now she's testing her skills behind the microphone—and a room full of celebrities is already listening.
The undefeated boxing champion hosted a star-studded listening party in Atlanta on Monday, Nov. 2, where she previewed music from her upcoming album, What Did You Expect. Presented by Rolling Out, the event drew more than 500 guests, including rappers, entertainers, and industry executives, as she introduced her latest venture outside the ring.
And judging by her reaction afterward, the GWOAT was thrilled with the turnout.
“Wow 🤩 my listening party was a success!!!!” Shields wrote on X. “Omg 😆 🤣 thank you @RollingOut !!!!! And all the media & stars that came out!!! It was crazy !!!! We dropping more heat next week!!!!!!”
The guest list included former Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta star Scrappy, Hotboy Turk, Jhonni Blaze, Queen Just Brittany, Bri Biase and Glitter Gloss. R&B singer Dondria, comedian Skinbone, entertainer Lou Young, and London “Deelishis” Charles also attended, along with Shields' boyfriend, rapper Papoose.
The evening wasn't limited to playing unreleased music. Shields took the stage to perform several selections from the project. Papoose and Shields' sister also later joined her onstage.
The listening party also doubled as a launch celebration for “Party,” the album's lead single, which arrived alongside a music video just days before the event. An official release date for What Did You Expect has not yet been announced.
Guests enjoyed food from celebrity Chef Maurice, cocktails, and a boxing-themed photo installation that incorporated Shields' championship background into the festivities.
Music is another addition to Shields’ increasingly crowded schedule.
In October, she announced a partnership with Zeus Network for GWOATS, a reality television project built around her signature “Greatest Woman of All Time” nickname. The network subsequently held auditions in the Detroit area as Shields continued pursuing her ambitions in unscripted television.
Her boxing career hasn't slowed down, either.
In August, Shields became the first female boxer to headline Atlanta's State Farm Arena, defeating Kaye Scott by sixth-round TKO to capture the WBC and WBA middleweight championships. The victory improved her professional record to 19-0 and brought her career total to 21 world titles.
Before that fight, Shields told Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson of ScoopB.com that her accomplishments meant more than collecting championships.
“I'm making women's boxing culturally respected to where I can come to Atlanta and fight as the main event and sell out 18,000+ people,” she said. “Besides the belts, that means a lot to me.”
