Shamir
Watch Shamir Write Up the New ‘Gay Agenda’
Shamir released a video for his newest single “Gay Agenda.” [embedded content] “’Gay Agenda’ is a song about radical acceptance internally and externally,” Shamir said in a statement. “We are only leasing our lives, so we gotta make it our own.” In the video, an adorable, antler-clad Shamir parades around city streets wearing furry hooves. While dancing and eating hot dogs, Shamir urges you to set your mind free and pledge allegiance to the gay agenda: “You’re just stuck in the box that was made for me / And you’re mad that I got out and I’m living free.” Atop distorted synths, he establishes his power and turns his head at those who can’t match his confidence, which he will proudly carry through eternity: “I will see you in hell / I will be bringing the heat.” The Philadelphia-based indie...
Shamir on New Coming-of-Age Album, Why His Youth Was ‘Cursed’
Five years ago, it might have seemed easy to predict what Shamir’s career would look like in 2020. You might have assumed the mononymous, Las Vegas-raised singer would follow up Ratchet, his acclaimed 2015 breakout, with more albums of fizzy, aggressively catchy electro-pop. He would release a slew of singles in line with “On the Regular,” the thumping, club-ready dance-rap banger that launched his career at 19 and immediately elevated visibility for queer, non-binary pop. He would remain on XL Recordings, or perhaps sign with a major, and try to work his way up to arena shows. Of course, Shamir — who identifies as non-binary but is comfortable using he/him pronouns — did nothing of the sort. After Ratchet, the musician parted ways with XL, experienced a psychotic break and recovery, immer...
