"Hi, I'm Shai 👋🏾 I just had the worst five years of my life and I accidentally wrote an album about it"

'Becoming Shai' is a collaborative creative endeavor taken on with love and care by Southside Shai and Gory Kas. This recording captures Shai's performance at Gül Gallery in NYC for Queer Mubarak on June 20, 2025.

The performance contains a mix of original songs and poetry mapping Shai's journey into becoming herself over several years of personal troubles and tragedies (note: several songs may contain explicit language).

With love and gratitude to the organizers of Queer Mubarak, to the Global Majority, and to the future that deserves to be built 🌱

We hope you enjoy 🌚🌝

Better Off Alone

Southside Shai is a folk artist and musician living in Southeast D.C. 

Originally from New Jersey, this Desi creative mixes compelling storytelling with punk-inspired rhythmic guitar to create a unique sound

You can find her on IG @southside_shai