Need to Know: Shamir

The artist known as Shamir will release his first full-length LP, titled Ratchet, on XL Recordings May 18. It's purported to be a "disco house / R&B marvel" that "transcends boundaries: genre, gender, age, and geography." But first he's going to perform at SXSW this month. In addition to performing at Pitchfork's Day Party and the NPR Music official SXSW showcase, Shamir will perform at YouTube's official showcase, since he's a featured participant in the YouTube Music Awards, which airs March 23. And that's only the start of his takeover.

As the 20-year-old artist explains, the 10-track album is a record about growing up in Vegas, though not the Vegas you think you know, and he posted this on his Tumblr:

After SXSW Shamir will head to the West Coast to play his first Los Angeles and San Francisco live shows. In May, Shamir returns to the U.K. for an extensive tour, and in July he'll perform at the Pitchfork Music Festival. Want to hear the music?

Check out the video for the single "On the Regular" below: