Claressa Shields is trading boxing gloves for the mic with new music project

The undefeated boxing champion previewed her upcoming album, “What Did You Expect,” at a star-studded listening party in Atlanta.

Claressa Shields is adding music to her growing list of ambitions, as reported by Complex. The undefeated boxing champion gave guests a preview of her upcoming album, ‘What Did You Expect’, during a star-studded listening party in Atlanta on November 2. The party was attended by more than 500 guests, including Papoose, Scrappy and Dondria.

Claressa Shields also took the stage to perform several songs from the project, with Papoose and her sister joining her during the evening. The listening party featured nine tracks from “What Did You Expect,” offering attendees an early look at her transition from boxing champion to recording artist. The event also celebrated “Party,” the project’s lead single, which was released alongside a music video shortly before the gathering. Shields has not yet announced an official release date for the full album.

Following the event, she celebrated the turnout in a post on X. “Wow 🤩 my listening party was a success!!!!” Shields wrote. “Omg 😆 🤣 thank you @RollingOut !!!!! And all the media & stars that came out!!! It was crazy !!!! We dropping more heat next week!!!!!!” The gathering also featured food prepared by celebrity chef Maurice, cocktails and a boxing-themed photo installation reflecting Shields’ championship career.

Music is the latest addition to Shields’ growing entertainment portfolio. In October, she announced a partnership with Zeus Network for “GWOATS,” a reality television project built around her nickname, “Greatest Woman of All Time.” The network subsequently held auditions in the Detroit-area. Her expansion into entertainment comes while she continues to maintain an undefeated boxing record.

In August,  Claressa Shields became the first female boxer to headline an event at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. She defeated Kaye Scott by sixth-round technical knockout, capturing 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, Claressa Shields told Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson of ScoopB.com that her impact on women’s boxing was about more than collecting championship belts.

“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.”