Meet Shygirl: Showing The World That Big Women Are Saucy Too
When I tell y’all we are thriving in the absolute best era for versatility in music and artistry, best believe that you need to add Shygirl to your next turnt up Spotify playlist!! The British underground DJ and singer has sneaked past mainstream headlines and is finally hitting the massive limelight with her recent collaboration with the ethereal, and wickedly talented siren, FKA Twigs on the dancehall banger, “papi bones”!
Adopting a sincere appreciation for some truly aesthetically pleasing music video sets, designs, and inspirations, Shygirl heavily utilizes her practical photography skills in her education at the University of Bristol, incorporating old-school EDM DJing techniques into her artistry. Shygirl has mashed up various subgenres of house and hip-hop, revamping hip-house and deconstructed club music styles with empowered and sexually aware lyrics. Smash singles like “BDE” featuring the eccentric rapper, slowthai have garnered much praise for the nerve and zeal it evokes! Shygirl is no stranger to surrounding herself with like-minded creators, having cemented fruitful friendships with fellow artists such as Venezuelan producer Arca and Scottish musician SOPHIE.
Drawing on mid-late 90s influences like Bjork and Aphex Twin, Shygirl experiments with film bites of classic thriller movies, dancehall, hip-hop-inspired synthesizer beats, and confident rap lyrics. Her visual concepts are some to marvel at, as Shygirl fully embraces self-confidence and positive body image as she is a plus-size artist bringing a different body representation to the EDM, experimental pop, and underground hip-hop/rap scene. The sets for her music videos deconstruct traditional notions of industry beauty standards, spinning these notions on the head by creating a welcoming space for artists who don’t fit the typical mode in their craft, their looks, and aesthetics.
In an interview for V Magazine, Shygirl explains that:
“Stereotypes are something that I’ve always pushed up against…
There are so many things that come with being mixed-race,
Black, and a woman. It’s always been something in my head;
how people perceive me, and how
I can make more space for myself and debunk their expectations.”
It is this ardent and roused attitude that can be found in Shygirl’s lyrics as she focuses her songs around sexual freedom, exploration, and body positivity which aren’t commonly highlighted especially when it comes to BIPOC and women artists showcasing these notions. In this industry, Shygirl deserves as much appraisal as other mainstream artists for her truly immersive worlds she creates with her visualizers and music videos. Elevating the avant-garde experience with high fashion concepts and pieces in her videos and promos, Shygirl is one to watch in 2022!
Check out her brash early 2000s inspired techy music video for her hit nightclub banger, “Slime”.
