Top 22 Shamir Quotes

I’m not in a certain type of genre, and I can’t be categorized or pigeonholed. That leaves a wide range of what I can do for myself, for other people, and with other people.

My first time doing music was on acoustic guitar. I had a friend from Texas who taught me so much country, I entered a few country competitions. But eventually, I got tired of it.

If I were really being myself. I’d just curl up in the corner and knit.

I’m naturally androgynous. I don’t wear makeup or skirts.

My friends freaked out when I posted ‘I’ll Never Be Able To Love‘ on Facebook.

I prefer to stay in if I have a choice. I lose energy being around people. I know that sounds horrible.

I want people to listen to my music and everyone to feel included, and I think it’s kind of working because all my audiences are always so colorful.

I’m just, ‘Hi, I’m Shamir. I’m gonna sing, hug you, then you can buy my album.’

I never felt like a boy or a girl, never felt I should wear this or dress like that. I think that’s where that confidence comes from because I never felt I had to play a part in my life. I just always come as Shamir.

When you’re from a boring town, you have to find things to do. It’s funny: I always knew I wanted to make music, so I was always kind of ahead of my peers. I had an MP3 player by the time I was in the fourth grade.

I was always the tallest kid in my class.

My main goal was to have something for everyone and not just one sound.

My favourite singer ever in the world is Ari Up from The Slits. Her voice is amazing to me. It’s carefree, but it’s also really amazing.

I don’t really get nervous.

I can hit baritone notes, and I can sing in the soprano range if I wanted to. I did this thing a long time ago where I did a duet with myself. I sound like two different people.

I think as long as you wear your imperfections on your sleeve, people respect it more.

If you listen to most of my songs, the lyrics are pretty kind of dark, but I like to put it behind happy music because then it evens it out… I’m really happy, actually. Obviously I have my bad moments, but I always challenge myself to not put negativity out there because there’s already enough.

As far as influences, I listen to a lot of people like Nina Simone and other androgynous voices, almost to make me feel like I’m not alone.

I have absolutely no ambition. My goal has already been exceeded.

I always find it amazing that people get mad because they can’t figure out my gender. Even though my only job here is to create art, I think being a genderless figure… it shakes people. And when that happens, it makes me feel like I’m doing my job.

Nina Simone had such an androgynous voice; the first time I listened to her I thought it was a man, and I’m sure a lot of people listening to me think I’m a woman. Her voice is kinda like the poster child for me.

I always surprise myself with my voice. A lot of people don’t get it, and they’re like, ‘You can’t sing. Stop. What are you doing?’ And it’s funny to hear a lot people say I sing in falsetto because it’s not falsetto – that’s my voice.