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MENDES ILLUMINATES DOWNTOWN L.A.

Island's rising star Shawn Mendes visited the Grammy Museum in Downtown L.A. last night for an intimate performance and conversation with Grammy Foundation and MusiCares VP Scott Goldman on his rising career and just-released album, Illuminate, which is poised to debut at #1 this Friday. Seen sandwiching the pop prince and praying some of his dreaminess would rub off on them are Island ruler David Massey and HITS' own Samantha Hissong.

As for the event, Mendes proved to be charming and humble, dubbing Ed Sheeran and John Mayer inspirations and thanking Taylor Swift for acting as a mentor of sorts. He gushed over his love of songwriting and stressed the significance of taking the live performance aspect of a song into consideration during the writing process, as well as the importance of working hard. He also detailed the pleasure of working with producer Jake Gosling (Ed Sheeran, One Direction), explaining that "he's extremely hands-on, he's at heart a writer and creator of music" and that he lacked an ego and allowed Mendes to "stand right next to him at the board." He shared that their recording process showed him just how specific music is and how many different ways a song can evolve.

His performance included breakout hit "Life of the Party" and the multi-platinum "Stitches" (also on premier full-length Handwritten), as well as new gems "Three Empty Words"—which he described as "a song that's meant to make you feel like you're floating... something to fall asleep to at night"—"Like This," the dynamic "Ruin," "Don't Be a Fool," "Treat You Better"—currently Top 3 at Pop and Hot AC radio—and newest single "Mercy."

Readers should note that the phrase "I love you" was yelled at least 200 times throughout the evening, and one marriage proposal was made. Island EVP/GM Eric Wong was seen singing every song back word for word, while looking on and holding up a lighter.

During the Q&A, one fan's voice rose above the screaming to ask if he had any plans for another tattoo. Later, during some post-show banter, Mendes and Massey revealed that the latter actually has a giant palm tree tattooed across his back, and that he has plans to get "MENDES" on his forehead next. We'd like to make it clear that we fully support this idea. #IslandLife.

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