ShottytheBeam – Everything Was Beautiful & Nothing Hurt (2021)
Lying somewhere people Gorillaz, Kendrick Lamar and Justin Timberlake, ShottytheBeam is a UK-based artist dropping beats with some serious attitude. Founded in 2020, this producer/singer-songwriter is a relatively new artist in the UK music scene; however, this does not mean he is sitting back and melding with the crowd. Merging contemporary rap with twinges of R&B and pop in the mix, ShottytheBeam is something unique. The latest addition to his discography is the single ‘Everything Was Beautiful & Nothing Hurt’.
Following his smooth pop-influenced single ‘Lost & Afraid’, ShottytheBeam blasts into 2021 with genre-defying ‘Everything Was Beautiful & Nothing Hurt’. While this multi-instrumentalist has a strong rap meets hip-hop foundation, the latest singles tend to lean toward a modern-day pop sound. Opening with a Jay-Z style hip-hop intro, the track slowly changes to a Justin Timberlake R&B design. What I find truly intriguing is how the transition from one genre is smooth and flowing resulting in a 1980s-esque Luther Vandross sound.
Recorded in his home studio, also known as his bedroom, ShottytheBeam adopts a DIY approach producing all of his tracks. The latest single showcases his growth as a producer and artist boasting a more sophisticated finish. Yet, while the melody can be emotionally moving in itself, it is the alignment with the profound lyricism that adds depth to the material.
Describing the song as being “about the past and how everything was better then”, ShottytheBeam explores aspects of indecisiveness, confusion, inner turmoil and frustration. Delicately picking apart the complexities of human relationships and responsibilities, this singer-songwriter exposes the fragility of humans as we are. What is even more astounding is how the genre alters as if in line with the protagonist’s changing perspective…truly outstanding!
In addition to the single, ShottytheBeam release a music video for ‘Everything Was Beautiful & Nothing Hurt’. The video truly embodies the difficulties people face when dealing with reality and can be viewed here.
For more from ShottytheBeam check out his Instagram and Spotify.
