ShyBelligerent, reformed pimp turned rapper, shines a light on vulnerability in L.A. hip-hop
As I delve into the life and music of ShyBelligerent, I find myself deeply moved by his extraordinary journey. Born into a world that seemed destined to break him, Shy has defied expectations at every turn, transforming pain and adversity into raw, unfiltered art.
ShyBelligerent is hurting.
In his videos, you’ll observe him wandering aimlessly through cemeteries, cityscapes, and empty rooms. Listen closely to his voice, it carries the weight of his experiences. At 30 years old, rapper Michael William, known for his rail-thin build, sharp facial features, and pencil mustache, is not just fearless in performance but also in his writing. He openly discusses the hardships inflicted upon him and the sacrifices he’s made.
In his recent album, he expresses a struggle to move past the past, titled “It’s a Ugly Come Up.” He yearns for Hennessy, hinting at self-medication, as he feels he’s been through hard times. The music, primarily piano-driven, beautifully echoes his emotions. He portrays a vivid image of humanity – energetic yet lonely and fearful.
“Shy mentions he’s excited about the new album because he had the chance to carefully plan it out and make it exceptional,” he explains. “Rather than being hurried and impromptu like some of his past projects, this time he took his time.” The result is an album titled “It’s an Ugly Come Up” that is deliberate in its lyrics and themes while still retaining the spontaneity that Shy is known for.
For Shy, the lyrics take a backseat. What sets him apart is his voice – raw, unpredictable, and unrestrained, more like an anxious bark rather than a whimper. This voice doesn’t portray him as a victim, but as a carrier of persistent agony. Born in Compton, he admits to being haunted by what he’s lived through or, put simply, by the memories that refuse to be erased. It’s fitting that his Twitter handle is “@sbbenthroughit”.
× His track “Cry Me a River” expresses deep-seated frustrations in a heartfelt manner. So far, this song has been Shy’s most popular release, with over 156,000 views on YouTube and still climbing.
“TooRawEntertainment, Shy’s producer based in Arizona, expresses a challenge in L.A.’s music scene as a producer: everyone seems to mimic each other. However, Shy is distinct. His delivery is extraordinary and his energy is exceptionally dynamic. Moreover, he doesn’t shy away from telling the truth in his raps.”
The “Cry Me a River” video portrays the L.A. rapper moving around inside a makeshift tent next to a train yard, appearing disheveled. Contrary to appearances, Shy is not homeless; instead, he’s a resident under the jurisdiction of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA). Despite having a roof over his head, there are moments when he seems enveloped in an internal whirlwind of chaos. When conversing, Shy embodies the suggested duality in his name by switching between being reserved and energetic. However, if you’ve only encountered him through his music, you’d be surprised to find out just how humble and organized he is in person.
According to DeJon Paul, a rap critic and blogger from Inglewood who frequently appears on the popular hip-hop podcast “No Jumper,” he finds it particularly striking about him. His influence within the local scene offers a pleasant change from “No Jumper” host Adam22. Annually, Paul compiles a list similar to XXL magazine’s Freshman Class, and in 2023, Shy was among the select few chosen for this recognition.
Paul stated, “His personality comes across as boisterous on recordings and in his videos.” However, when you meet him or interview him, or encounter him in public, he’s quite reserved, even stoic. This is a reflection of his shy nature, which stems from his upbringing.
“Shy explains that his family situation wasn’t like most with a mother and father. His mother should have protected and cared for him, but she unfortunately couldn’t. His mother abandoned him as an infant, and his unsuitable father didn’t make a good parent either. Instead, he was placed under the guardianship of his strict, religious grandmother and lively grandfather who loved jazz. Shy lived with them until he turned 15.”
From this family setup, something beneficial emerged. His grandfather sparked in him an enduring interest in music that is evident in his unique style today. However, Shy was a timid and dismal child. When his parents departed from his life, his already limited world contracted further. He struggled to comprehend it all, and the more he sought answers, the more bewildered and overwhelmed he felt by chaos and doubt.
Later on, Shy explains, “I managed to voice my thoughts, ask questions, and understand situations better.” However, as he mourned his lost childhood, he became argumentative and at times confrontational. Sadly, Shy’s development is a common story: scared, overlooked boys often grow up to be bitter men.
In the past, he found solace and renewal in two places: his beloved Honors English classroom and the football field at Compton High, where he played as a defensive end. Yet even back then, he harbored dreams of a career in rap music. It wasn’t until around 2009 that he truly committed to honing his craft. Los Angeles offers abundant opportunities for networking, but Shy was not always comfortable with it. His early training in the art of rapping was entirely self-directed and unstructured during his teenage years.
× As a dedicated cinema lover, let me share my perspective: “Back in the day, YG was truly shining.” At that juncture, YG was an emerging, wiry truth-teller from Compton, who eventually skyrocketed to stardom. He served as a role model for me, offering a roadmap to success. “I was attempting to carve out my niche then, but with the limited resources I had at hand, and the scant knowledge I possessed, it was quite a challenging journey.”
In my humble opinion, I found myself equipped with nothing more than bargain-basement gear – RadioShack microphones and battered laptops beyond repair. Yet, remarkably, I managed to construct a fully operational studio using these rudimentary tools.
If Shy’s creative pursuits were hindered, it was due to the conflicting obligations he faced. At 15, he became a father, an event that upset his conservative grandparents significantly, pushing him into seeking regular employment. This situation echoes Ice Cube’s story in “A Bird in the Hand.” Shy worked at dollar stores, warehouses – any place that offered him a legal wage. Although Shy’s work history is generally legitimate, he admits to engaging in actions for money that he himself considers unforgivably despicable.
Over time, Shy’s rapping style evolved alongside his developing journalistic instincts. He started exploring the format of YouTube street reporting similar to vlogging. While the audience he garnered wasn’t as massive as the biggest vloggers, it was still significant. Shy attributes his ability to capture remarkable moments on camera to a keen sense of timing and good fortune.
In songs like “Son of a Bitch,” William shares an authentic account from his past, where he was involved in the exploitation and control of women, often referred to colloquially as pimping. This is not a figurative or exaggerated portrayal, but a reflection of personal experiences involving human trafficking.
He admits that his involvement was brief, yet acknowledges that during this period, he caused significant and enduring harm to the women who were part of his group or association.
“He mentions that having daughters has given him a broader perspective on life,” he says. “It seems he’s speaking from deep personal growth, as on ‘Son of a Bitch,’ Shy appears to be the most spiritually tormented former trafficker in hip-hop, reminiscent of Suga Free with a sense of morality.” (Lightly humorous note: their rapping styles are strikingly similar.)
Shy found a second home in Watts, eventually settling there permanently. Looking back, Watts turned out to be the ideal destination for him. Deeply connected to its tight-knit community of about 35,000 residents, one might wonder if ShyBelligerent would still exist had he stayed in Compton.
As a native of Nickerson Gardens, I’ve found this vibrant community to be the perfect breeding ground for my rap talents. Residing in the laid-back, sun-kissed Nickerson Gardens apartment complex, I feel a deep connection to this place. In my bio, you’ll find me introducing myself as an unsigned artist hailing from Nickerson Gardens. Paul, an A&R expert, laments that my independence is both a geographical tragedy and a missed opportunity in the industry.
Paul expresses his surprise that Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) hasn’t signed him yet, considering they visit Nickerson annually for their Christmas party and toy drive, where artists like Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, and Schoolboy Q are part of the roster.
Therein lies a critical action verb: snatch. Shy is forever snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. He has talent, emotional courage, great sonic instincts (his beat selection is top-notch). But he often seems like an accident waiting to happen. “It’s a Ugly Come Up” is so feral, so brazenly uninhibited, that Schoolboy Q’s “Blue Lips” seems almost family-friendly by comparison.
Any prominent record label would aim to smooth over Shy’s raw aspects, but that’s not something he desires. After all, Shy has weathered uncertainty and suffering throughout his 30 years, with numerous mental traumas. Yet, he remains devoted to his music. It serves as the foundation of his self-worth, competence, and dignity.
He claims to be exceptionally talented in music, and while it might seem like an exaggeration or not, his exceptional talent in creating drama through hip-hop is undeniable when it comes to portraying human pain. In short, ShyBelligerent’s self-proclaimed greatness in this area may very well be true.
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2024-08-28 19:32