Indigenous artist/producer Beaatz (Shelby Sappier) tackles some of life’s biggest challenges with latest single, Dying Softly.
Matt Carter
Opening with a fragmented melody that immediately creates a sense of confusion and disorder, New Brunswick based indigenous rapper and producer Beaatz (Shelby Sappier) sets the perfect tone for his latest single. Dying Softly is a song about struggle, mental health, and the courage to continue. It’s both an acknowledgment of how no two lives are the same, and a reminder of how important it is to talk and connect with each other. It’s about how life is a two way street. Sappier skillfully packs a lot into three quick minutes expressing the need to be heard and the need to listen.
“I’m coping with the pain I feel, you can see it for yourself, it’s so hard to conceal.”
Dying Softly is one of several songs featured on Sappier’s forthcoming album and follows the trio of 2022 singles, Levels, Dreamrider and Best Life, each an anthem of self respect, motivation, kindness, and caring.
“When writing this record, I was going through a lot of stress, depression, anxiety and self-doubt,” he said. “In this case, I wanted to be vulnerable. I wanted to express myself and my feelings, the best way I knew how, and that’s writing. I’ve always considered the feelings of others and know what it’s like to be on the other side of the spectrum when listening to something I can relate with so deeply. I see so many people in my life go through issues that aren’t necessarily talked about, so I wrote this with that person in mind.”
For Sappier, who is also a member of the award-wnning hip hop group City Natives, Dying Softly is about listening, relating to others and offering help as a way of letting others know they are not alone.
“I’ve always been a firm believer that if I can touch someone through the music I create then I’ve truly done my job as an artist,” he said. “Overall, I just want people to know that they’re not alone. I’ve received a lot of messages asking if I was okay after releasing this single. Truth is, it’s something that needed to be expressed and not suppressed. Even through the darkest times, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.”
Beaatz | SPOTIFY
