Jamaican-American rapper and producer
BEAM fuses trap and dancehall, making brash but empowering songs which aim to assure listeners that they're not alone in their insecurities and desires. He started out as a producer, making beats for artists including
Papa San (his father),
Lecrae, and
2 Chainz before he began releasing solo material in 2017. His debut album, 95, channeling influences from
Cypress Hill to
Kid Cudi, appeared in 2019, and he's since been featured on songs by
Major Lazer and
Justin Bieber.
Tyshane Thompson was born in the Kingston area in 1995. His father is
Papa San, a dancehall star who turned to Christianity during the 1990s, and became a pioneer of gospel reggae. After his family moved to a suburb of Miami, Thompson started producing music at the age of ten, and he formed the production duo 808xElite with Matthew Massaro several years later. Beginning in 2010, Thompson's production credits appeared on releases by Christian rappers such as
Andy Mineo,
Lecrae, and KIDD, as well as recordings by his brother (Tyrone Andrew) and father. By 2015, he had also worked with artists like
2 Chainz and
Yo Gotti, and he started making music as
BEAM (Be Everything and More) which blended trap and dancehall influences. Tracks like "Problem" and "Chat Bout" appeared in 2017, and while Thompson's lyrics about sex, drugs, and partying seemed at odds with his upbringing, his intention was to chart his journey through depression and anxiety, and encourage growth and perseverance. He guested on
Skrillex's 2019 song "Mumbai Power," and his retro-minded debut album, 95, appeared on Epic.
BEAM's Crimson Soundtrack EP followed in 2020, and the rapper made several appearances on
Major Lazer's fourth album
Music Is the Weapon, including the single "Rave de Favela." In 2021,
BEAM was featured on
Justin Bieber's
Justice full-length and
Freedom EP. ~ Paul Simpson