Shamir (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shamir
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Shamir Bailey |
| Born | November 7, 1994 |
| Origin | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Genres |
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| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, synthesizer, drums |
| Years active | 2014–present |
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Shamir Bailey (born November 7, 1994) is an American singer and songwriter from Las Vegas, Nevada. He is known for his unique voice and mix of music styles.
His first music collection, an extended play (EP) called Northtown, came out in June 2014. It received good reviews from music critics. Later that year, he signed with XL Recordings and released the popular song "On the Regular". His first full album, Ratchet, was released in May 2015. Since then, Shamir has released many more albums on his own, showing his independent spirit in music.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Shamir grew up in North Las Vegas, a quiet suburban area. He identifies as non-binary, meaning he doesn't feel like he fits into just "male" or "female" categories. He is comfortable with male pronouns.
His aunt worked in the music business, and musicians often visited their home. This meant Shamir was around music from a young age. His family introduced him to many different types of music, like hip-hop, R&B, and singers such as Billie Holiday and Janis Joplin.
When he was nine, Shamir received an Epiphone guitar and started writing his own songs. At 16, he formed a punk band, but it didn't last long. During high school, he recorded songs for his first EP. After graduating, he sent his music to the Godmode label in New York City, and they signed him.
Shamir's Music Career
Shamir's first EP, Northtown, was released in June 2014. It was named after the neighborhood where he grew up. Music critics praised his unique sound. For example, Pitchfork described one song, "If It Wasn't True," as a "stunning opening" that showed off his special voice.
After joining XL Recordings, Shamir released the song "On the Regular" in October 2014. This song became very popular and was even used in a commercial. In 2015, he released "Call It Off" and his first album, Ratchet. He also toured with other artists like Years & Years and Troye Sivan.
In 2017, Shamir released his second album, Hope. He shared that he had left XL Recordings and released this album independently. After Hope, Shamir faced some personal challenges and considered stopping music. He returned to Las Vegas, where he quickly wrote and recorded his third album, Revelations. He explained that making music his own way was more important than fame.
On March 9, 2018, Shamir surprised fans by releasing his fourth album, Resolution, without any announcement. This album continued his indie rock style. In 2020, he released his self-titled album, Shamir, which received praise from music magazines like Rolling Stone and Pitchfork.
In 2021, Shamir also published his first book, But I'm a Painter. It's a collection of essays about the paintings he had created over six years.
Shamir's Musical Style
Shamir is known for his special singing voice, which is described as a countertenor. This means his voice is naturally high, but it's not feminine or masculine. He calls it a "happy medium." Critics have compared his voice to famous singers like Janis Joplin and Michael Jackson.
His music is often called "amazingly unclassifiable" because it blends many styles. It has been described as a mix of disco, pop, and indie rock. Shamir has also mentioned that Taylor Swift is an inspiration for his songwriting.
Discography
| Releases | ||
|---|---|---|
| ↙Studio albums | 8 | |
| ↙Extended plays | 5 | |
| ↙Singles | 13 | |
Studio Albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Dance |
US Heat |
US Indie |
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| Ratchet |
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6 | 7 | 22 |
| Hope |
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— | — | — |
| Revelations |
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— | — | — |
| Resolution |
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— | — | — |
| Be the Yee, Here Comes the Haw |
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— | — | — |
| Cataclysm |
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— | — | — |
| Shamir |
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— | — | — |
| Heterosexuality |
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— | — | — |
| Homo Anxietatem |
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— | — | — |
Extended Plays
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Bitter |
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| Northtown |
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| Shamir on Audiotree Live |
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| Room |
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| Jam in the Van - Shamir (Live Session) |
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Guest Appearances
| Release | Year | Other artist(s) | Credits | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Punx with Ukeleles" | 2019 | Fashion Brigade | Featured artist/co-writer | Fvck the Heartache |
| "Shout" | 2018 | House of Feelings | Featured artist/co-writer | New Lows |
| "Tantrum" | 2017 | Michete | Featured artist/co-writer | Cool Tricks 3 (EP) |
| "Tunnel Vision" | Rina Sawayama | Featured artist/co-writer | Rina (EP) | |
| "Like O, Like H" | Tegan and Sara | Cover performer | Tegan and Sara present The Con X: Covers | |
| "Falling" | House of Feelings | Featured artist/co-writer | Last Chance (EP) |
Other Album Appearances
| Song | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Burn with Me" | 2020 | N/A | Bernie Speaks with the Community |
Film and TV Appearances
- Dear White People - AJ (2017)
- Tuca & Bertie - multiple voices (2019)
Tours
- Opening act
- Marina and the Diamonds – Neon Nature Tour (2015)
- Troye Sivan - Blue Neighbourhood Tour (2016) (Washington D.C., Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, Dallas and Houston shows)
Images for kids
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Shamir performing on stage.
See also
In Spanish: Shamir para niños
