Shygirl has become a prominent figure not only in the music world but also the fashion world, having recently DJed at Alexander McQueen’s after party during Paris Fashion Week. Not only is Shygirl a rapper, singer and DJ, she has also co-founded her own record label Nuxxe, alongside Coucou Chloe and Sega Bodega. The London-based artist started her music career by playing at parties and by 2016, she had released her first track Want More.
Shygirl rose up the ranks of the music industry not only through her own sounds but also by collaborating with artists such as Arca, Mura Masa, Chanel Tres, FKA Twigs and Sophie just to name a few. Now, having released her first album “Nymph” in 2022 and having multiple singles and EPs out, Shygirl has become one of the most well known experimental DJs, with an international fanbase that includes the likes of Rihanna. Keep reading to find out more about Shygirl’s defining tracks.
RUDE
One of her earlier works, rude is one of those songs that have a unique sound you’ve never heard before. Epitomising Shygirl’s experimental musical style, this track feels like it came straight out of the pits of a post-apocalyptic dungeon, with its alarming beats and deconstructed club feel. The lyrics are unapologetic, an ongoing theme in her music, but what really stands out is the clamorous and industrious sounds that definitely set her apart in the DJing sphere.
BB
BB, which stands for Bad Boys – what Shygirl claims she likes – is a song that describes her type to a T. Playing with voice distortion, this track features fast-paced metallic beats with even faster rapping. The energy is matched in its music video, where the artist is seen swerving around in a high-speed car. While the rap is hard to keep up with due to its speedy nature, BB still offers a memorable hook as Shygirl declares “I keep the conversations brief / We ain’t friends but he’ll see”.
BDE (FT SLOWTHAI)
If anyone has BDE it’s Shygirl. Teaming up with one of UK’s hottest rappers slowthai, together the two have created a dissonant track that clearly states what they both want: BDE and a “thick chick”. Honing in on her usual sexual lyrics, Shygirl offers another hit song that became 2021’s summer club banger. Shygirl has the ability to write straightforward hedonistic tracks, and the addition of pounding beats and slowthai’s raw honesty has made BDE a bad b*tch certified anthem.
SHLUT
Coming off her 2022 album “Nymph” which saw the artist opt towards a more pop-friendly sound, shlut has become one of her most listened songs, with over 5 million streams on Spotify. While this track sees her parting ways with her usual industrious sounds, the lyrics are still on par with her usual sensual lyricism. Calling herself a “slut”, shygirl reclaims the otherwise offensive word through the lyrics “Woke up feelin’ like a slut, yeah, I like that”. Yet another unashamed erotic song, shlut is all about pleaser – and there’s nothing wrong with that.
HEAVEN (FT. TINASHE)
Taking a turn from her usual raunchy style, Heaven, which features the American singer Tinashe, is a much more pop-friendly offering. Tapping into her romantic side, the song starts off with a soft melody which is then accompanied by beats that are a lot more subdued than what we are used to hearing from her. Love, a new theme for Shygirl, is explored through lyrics that ask for forgiveness as the artist repeats “All I do is look at you”, spell-bound to whoever she found was finally giving her that BDE.
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