The sunny yet unforgiving streets of Broward County have long been a breeding ground for talented artists and athletes. Over the last year, Pompano Beach’s Loe Shimmy has captured the imagination of the Sunshine State and beyond with his eerie melodies and uniquely understated approach to the gritty Florida sound.
After first hitting the radar last year with a seemingly out-of-the-blue feature on “Bounty” from Pompano’s most famous resident, Kodak Black – and earning the enthusiastic support of another hometown hero in Lamar Jackson – Shimmy has quickly become one of the most sought-after members of Florida’s rising class. With his viral hit “Fallin,” and popular collabs with the likes of Luh Tyler, Wizz Havin, C Stunna and Goldenboy Countup, he’s earned cosigns from No Cap, Veeze, and even Drake himself.
With the release of his new single “Safe Route,” it looks like Pompano’s best kept secret is finally ready for the bigtime as he prepares to release his highly anticipated new album Zombieland 2.
As one of the most bustling scenes in the country, there have been a lot new acts popping up out of Florida. But no one’s doing it quite like Loe Shimmy. Combining the now ubiquitous Florida rasp with the overly calm nonchalance of artists like Babyface Ray or Drakeo the Ruler, his sound is uniquely captivating and feels perfectly of-the-moment. And with the perfect balance of finesse and gangster rap, Shimmy’s signature croaky delivery and unsettingly calm demeanor come across even more menacing than the most energetic driller.
Another key piece that separates him from the pack is the perspective from which he tells his story. Over light, jazzy production on “Safe Route,” he explains his new way of thinking with the titular line: “Risked my life, I found a safer route, I’m in the booth until I make it.” Different than those who detail their exploits in real time, Shimmy takes a more reflective approach as he enters the game at a point where he’s struggling with putting his past in the streets behind him. A theme echoed on the most repeated line from his viral hit “Fallin,”: “I’m tired of spinnin’ Benz and killin’, I’m tryna get rich like Roddy.” And while there aren’t too many who would consider a career in rap the “safe route,” it certainly seems safer than what he was up to before.
With the first single released, the countdown is on for Zombieland 2 – although fans have been eagerly awaiting its release since his Zombieland debut dropped in 2020. Considering his impressive (and growing) list of organic co-signs and the pent-up demand for his fiercely original signature style at the intersection of many of the most popular sounds of today, there’s really no question that Loe Shimmy is the next up out of Florida.
Watch Loe Shimmy’s “Safe Route” below
