It’s not every day you go from being on set with the Beats by Dre team to the running track within 24 hours. A set, might I add, that includes the likes of tennis champion Naomi Osaka and basketball princess Angel Reese, but so is the case for 24-year-old sprinter, Sha’Carri Richardson.

Hailing from Dallas, Texas, the young athlete first made waves in 2019 when she, quite casually, broke the NCAA Division I 100M collegiate record, running 10.75 seconds as a freshman at Louisiana State University. She was just 19-years-old. Since then, she’s gone on to experience even more incredible feats; such as starring in the Nike x Jacquemus campaign, featuring in Ye’s music video and being amongst the Met Gala invitees three years ago. You know, just some casual things. Now, still standing tall at just 5 ft 1, she is 24-years-old and setting her sights on higher goals – ones that result in gold medals on the biggest sports stage: Paris’ 2024 Olympics.

She recently stormed to first place in the 100M at the Prefontaine Classic – Eugene Diamond League, finishing in just 10.83 seconds. This is only 0.08 seconds slower than her record-breaking run as a college student. Alongside casual hangouts with one of Rap’s finest, Cardi B, and appearing in ads with LeBron James’s son and rumoured NBA draft top pick Bronny, Sha’Carri is becoming a celebrity to, well, celebrities. Under the sprinter’s Instagram posts, comments such as ‘Love the fact you can look so calm and relaxed but on that track, you smoke them all’ are a recurring observation – and it’s true. Time and time again, season after season, we witness magic as this sprinting starlet grows into one of world athletics’ young marvels.

As you can imagine, her speediness comes at a cost. Yet somehow, we managed to catch some of Sha’Carri’s time to speak about how her Beats Solo 4s elevate her game, becoming notorious for her style from head to toe, and how she dominates both on and off the track.

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Let’s get started with the Beats Solo 4 campaign! What was it like to work with Beats and join the family?
Sha’Carri Richardson This is my second partnership with the Beats family and although each one is special, this campaign feels like home. The campaign features some incredible people and the product is already a part of my day-to-day life.

Talk to us about working with Angel Reese and Naomi Osaka, the incredible athletes joining you for the Beats Solo 4 campaign. How do these women inspire you and what’s it like to be alongside them as young pioneers within world sports?
SR It’s always cool to connect with amazing women. We shot the campaigns separately but it means a lot to be connected to young female athletes who are dominating in their respective sports. They are not just an inspiration to me but they’re an inspiration to young women around the world. They are their authentic selves and are doing things their own way. I can definitely relate to this.

What music, or songs specifically, keep you motivated?
SR I listen to a variety of music. From Gospel music and R&B to Rap and Hip-Hop, I love it all. Depending on what I’m doing, different music motivates me at different times. Plus, I love a good mix of songs.

Who are your go-to artists to listen to on your Beats Solo 4s?
SR I listen to everything but some of my favorites are of course Texas-native Beyoncé, Kirk Franklin, Tims, Megan Thee Stallion, Mary Mary, Lil Baby, GloRilla, Dolly Parton, and Young Dolph. I also love old-school music.

Talk to us about how your Beats Solo 4s enhance your workouts/training sessions.
SR The Beats Solo 4s enhance my workouts by helping block out the noise of the world and [helping me] focus.

What inspires your personal style? How do you incorporate Beats into your everyday looks?
SR The women in my family have really inspired my personal style. But recently, traveling the world has started to impact my style. I look at style as a way to express how I’m feeling in the moment and I see Beats as an accessory.

How do your Beats become a staple part of that style, and what is your favourite colourway?
SR Like I said before, my Beats are the accessory that can elevate a look. I got to design a custom set of Beats so that would be my favourite colourway currently. I love the variety of colours offered… but the Slate Blue is a vibe right now.

Talk to us about the role of music in your life and athletic career; what genres or artists do you listen to for motivation?
SR Music can heal, get you hype, motivate you, and calm you down. Music is definitely something that I consistently go to no matter my mood and it helps me enhance or change a vibe. That’s why I listen to so many genres of music.

Talk to us about your most memorable concert experience or favourite live performance. Why did it stand out to you?
SR I haven’t been to a lot of concerts but it’s definitely something I’ll do more of in the future. My playlists are my concerts.

You also teamed up with Cardi B to promote NBC’s coverage of the Olympics. You both had such a great synergy, how was that experience?
SR Meeting Cardi B in person and just having a real conversation with her was amazing. She is definitely on my list of favourite artists and her music is on rotation on my playlists. She is such a genuine person who has remained true to herself. She gave me encouraging words and shared what she does to keep herself motivated. She is just a down-to-earth person.

What are your interests outside of Track and Field, whether music, fashion, or other hobbies? What makes Sha’Carri, Sha’Carri?
SR There are a lot of things that make me, me. But one way I spend my time when I’m not working is talking to my family or chilling with them. They’re an important part of who I am and I just love being with them.

You always have your nails and hair done, on and off the track. Talk to us about the importance of bringing your style and personality to any race you take on.
SR When you look your best, you feel your best. And just like with everything else, if I’m going to do it, I’m going to give 100 percent. That’s something my Big Momma taught me. So I put that same energy into how I look and my style. As far as personality, I’m going to be me and show up as me.

With the Olympics looming, how has this year been for you so far?
SR This year has been really good so far. I feel good and training has been going really well.

What has prep looked like for you and what’s your routine? Are there any specific techniques or rituals you follow?
SR I don’t really have rituals. But obviously, training is a huge part of my routine. It’s like a 9-5 job and training for the season started in November.

What was it like transitioning from collegiate to global, Olympic level?
SR I’ve never thought about this but I will say that both take a lot of commitment, sacrifice and focus.

What keeps you pushing for faster times and more wins?
SR It’s not about the times, it’s about showing up and doing my best. If I execute things the way I trained to do so and show up as my best, the times will come.

Where did it all begin? Can you tell us about how your grandma influenced you, and about any other idols/people that helped you on your journey?
SR The women in my family have had a significant influence on my life. From style to the music I listen to, I can see them in everything I do.

How do you get yourself ‘in the zone’?
SR Prayer, quietness and breathing help calm my mind and get me zoned in.

Aside from track, your hard work has opened you up to new industries such as music and fashion. What’s your approach to this and how do you take on all of these new experiences?
SR I work to get better every day. Whether it’s training, eating right, recovery, reading, listening to music or eating a good meal, I try to listen to what I need in that moment and give myself that. This allows me to show up for all the new opportunities I have as my best self.

How do you deal with the pressure? What are some of the ways you manage pressure and expectations, both from yourself and externally?
SR I’m my biggest fan and I put the most pressure on myself. So making sure I’m aligned mentally, physically and emotionally is so important. I read, listen to music and I love to be near water.

How do you stay grounded knowing that a lot of eyes are on you and ones that are anticipating you doing well?
SR My family keeps me grounded and staying connected to them is so important to me.

Please talk about your accomplishments, particularly as a young Black woman in sports and the broader impact you hope to have as a role model for aspiring athletes.
SR I’m still working to accomplish some of my goals and if I can encourage young people to do the same, then that’s a win.

Has being a runner always been the aspiration or did you have other goals?
SR I love running and knew early on that I could be really good at it if I put in the work. But no matter what goals I set or what profession I am in, I’m going to give it my all and be the best.

What are your aspirations for the future, both in your athletic career and beyond, and what steps are you taking to achieve them?
SR My goal is to be the best person and athlete I can be. Like I said before, I am really working on myself – mind, body and soul. If I continue to focus on those things, I can achieve anything.

What’s one thing on your bucket list that you haven’t done yet but hope to accomplish someday?
SR Multiple Olympic gold medals.

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