Page 176 – That Eric Alper

Indie Rock Band Robin Ross & The Melodynes Explore Cosmic Daydreams on ‘Mind Space’

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 24, 2026

Indie Rock Band Robin Ross & The Melodynes Explore Cosmic Daydreams on ‘Mind Space’

ndie rock outfit Robin Ross & The Melodynes return with their second album, ‘Mind Space,’ released February 20 via RPM Entertainment. The record leans into a vibrant blend of indie and classic rock textures, pairing acoustic foundations with electric lift. Alongside the album, the band unveils a new video for focus track “Campfire on the Moon,” expanding the project’s dreamy, technicolor atmosphere.

Previewed by the playful “Spill No Mo Wine” and the shimmering single “Echo of Love,” ‘Mind Space’ moves between bedroom introspection and open-sky celebration. Songs like the title track drift toward cosmic escape, while others lean into dance-ready energy and communal spirit. Ross describes the album as a prism-like inner universe, with each song offering a different landing point – from spaceship voyages to moonlit gatherings and love-struck reflections.

Recorded at Baa Baa Leaf Music Studio in Milford, Pennsylvania, the album was produced and engineered by Ross with additional engineering from Jonathan Duckett. The sessions feature a wide circle of collaborators, reinforcing the collective ethos at the heart of the project. That shared creative spark gives the album its warmth and expansive feel.

Ross, active in the New Jersey and New York music scenes since the late 1980s, continues to shape his creative hub in Milford. After earlier work with Laughing Jack, later known as Jack’s Maze, he has returned to recording with longtime collaborators while developing Baa Baa Leaf into both studio and sanctuary. ‘Mind Space’ captures that renewed focus – part reflection, part celebration, and fully rooted in the joy of making music together.

Twenty One Pilots, The Strokes, Gorillaz to Headline Shaky Knees 2026

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 24, 2026

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Twenty One Pilots, The Strokes, Gorillaz to Headline Shaky Knees 2026

Twenty One Pilots, The Strokes and Gorillaz will headline the 13th edition of Shaky Knees Music Festival, returning September 18-20 to Atlanta’s crown jewel, Piedmont Park. The stacked lineup will bring over 50 performances across four stages including LCD Soundsystem, Pierce The Veil, Turnstile, Wu-Tang Clan, The Prodigy, Fontaines D.C., Pavement, Geese, Knocked Loose, Danny Elfman, Modest Mouse, Blood Orange, Jimmy Eat World, Hot Mulligan and many more. Fans can sign up now for the festival SMS list at ShakyKneesFestival.com to receive a passcode to the presale beginning Thursday, February 26 at 9am ET with access to the guaranteed lowest-priced tickets from 9am to 10am ET. 1-Day, 2-Day and 3-Day ticket types will be available including GA, GA+, VIP, Platinum and Ultimate, plus 3-Day group Cabanas and Bungalows. Any remaining tickets will go on sale to the public following the presale.

GA+ tickets provide unlimited access to the centrally located GA+ Lounge with views of both Peachtree and Piedmont Stages, shade, relaxing seating, air-conditioned restrooms, lawn games, a private bar with drinks for purchase, plus dedicated GA+ hospitality staff for all your festival needs. VIP offers unlimited access to the VIP Lounges at Peachtree, Piedmont and Ponce de Leon Stages with direct access to premium on-field viewing areas, air-conditioned restrooms, lockers and mobile charging units for rent, dedicated festival merch store, a dedicated VIP entrance lane at the main festival entrance and more. Platinum tickets offer all GA+ and VIP amenities plus exclusive front-of-stage viewing at Peachtree, Piedmont and Ponce de Leon Stages with complimentary beer, seltzer and water, access into the air-conditioned Platinum Lounge located inside Park Tavern restaurant with a daily acoustic performance by a Shaky Knees artist, complimentary all-day dining, full-service bar and coffee service, exclusive festival gift and more. The one-person Ultimate package includes all GA+, VIP and Platinum amenities, plus exclusive on-stage viewing available at Peachtree and Piedmont Stages, golf cart transportation, one ticket per person to an Official Shaky Knees Late-Night Show of your choice, and more.

For the full list of amenities and all ticket types, visit ShakyKneesFestival.com/Tickets. Layaway plans are available starting at $25 down for a limited time.

Flyleaf Reunites With Lacey Sturm for 20th Anniversary Tour

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 24, 2026

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Flyleaf Reunites With Lacey Sturm for 20th Anniversary Tour

American rock band Flyleaf announces their 20th Anniversary Tour featuring former lead vocalist Lacey Sturm. Produced by Live Nation, the 14-city tour kicks off on Wednesday, July 8 at the Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA making stops across the U.S. in Boston, Chicago, Houston and more before wrapping up in Anaheim at House of Blues on Friday, July 31.

Tickets will be available starting with Citi presales (details below) beginning Tuesday, February 24. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on sale beginning Friday, February 27 at 10AM local time at LiveNation.com.

Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, February 24 at 10 am ET until Thursday, February 26 at 10pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.

FLYLEAF 2026 TOUR DATES:

Wed Jul 8 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle

Thu Jul 9 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte

Fri Jul 10 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia

Sun Jul 12 – Boston, MA – House of Blues

Mon Jul 13 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater

Wed Jul 15 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring

Fri Jul 17 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues

Sun Jul 19 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore Minneapolis

Tue Jul 21 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room @ Old National Centre

Wed Jul 22 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works

Fri Jul 24 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom

Sat Jul 25 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center

Tue Jul 28 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren

Fri Jul 31 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues

Flyleaf’s impact continues to resonate across generations. The band’s breakout single “All Around Me” is certified 4x Platinum, “I’m So Sick” is 2x Platinum, and “Fully Alive” is certified Platinum. Their self titled debut album is officially Platinum as it celebrates its 20 year milestone.

Flyleaf began as Passerby, a collaboration between Lacey Sturm and James Culpepper. After joining forces with Sameer Bhattacharya and Jared Hartmann, the group built a grassroots following across Texas before officially becoming Flyleaf in 2004. They quickly broke into the mainstream, landing on Top 40 radio with “All Around Me,” releasing their sophomore album Memento Mori, and headlining the 2010 Unite and Fight Tour.

In 2023, Flyleaf reunited with Lacey Sturm for major North American festivals including Sick New World, Louder Than Life, and Aftershock. Now, the band embarks on their first headline tour since hiatus. Deluxe vinyl editions of their self titled debut and Memento Mori will be released by Interscope in Summer 2026.

Darius Rucker Announces 20-City ‘Songs Of Summer’ Tour

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 24, 2026

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Darius Rucker Announces 20-City ‘Songs Of Summer’ Tour

Three-time GRAMMY Award winner Darius Rucker hits the road this summer with his 20-city Songs of Summer Tour, bringing his signature baritone voice and fan-favorite hits to amphitheaters and iconic venues nationwide. Promoted by Live Nation, the 2026 trek features special guests Lauren Alaina, George Birge, Evan Honer, Old Crow Medicine Show, Robert Randolph and Austin Williams joining select dates.

“For me, it’s not summer if we’re not playing music outdoors,” says Rucker. “When I think of the concerts I love attending, it’s the people, the hits and the hot summer air… there’s nothing that compares, so Songs of Summer in a lot of ways is my nod to being in that moment together.”

Tickets go on sale starting this Friday, Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. local time, with select cities on sale in March. For full ticket details, see below and visit DariusRucker.com.

The Songs of Summer Tour will also offer a variety of different VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert experience to the next level. Packages vary but include premium tickets, exclusive pre-show meet & greet and photo op with Darius Rucker, guided backstage tour, autographed tour poster and more. VIP package contents vary based on the offer selected. For more information, visit vipnation.com.

Rucker also recently announced a one-night-only Big Band Gala at Charleston’s Gaillard Center on April 7. Presented by Explore Charleston, the performance offers fans a rare opportunity to experience Rucker in an elevated, intimate concert setting backed by Robert Lewis and the Charleston Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Peter Graves. A portion of proceeds will benefit the CMA Foundation’s music education initiatives for Charleston County Schools and the Carolyn G. Rucker Nursing Scholarship at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.

Rucker first achieved multi-Platinum status in the music industry as lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the GRAMMY Award-winning band Hootie & the Blowfish, who have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide including their Double Diamond-certified (22x Platinum) debut Cracked Rear View, which remains among the top 10 best-selling studio albums of all time. Since releasing his first Country album in 2008, Rucker has earned a whole new legion of fans with four No. 1 albums on the Billboard Country chart plus 10 No. 1 singles at Country radio and 11 Gold, Platinum or multi-Platinum certified hits. Rucker was inducted as a Grand Ole Opry member in 2012, and he won his third career GRAMMY Award in 2014 for Best Solo Country Performance with his Diamond-certified (11x Platinum) version of “Wagon Wheel,” one of the top five best-selling Country songs of all time. His latest album Carolyn’s Boy is available everywhere now as is his New York Times bestselling memoir “Life’s Too Short,” released via Dey Street in 2024.

As a lifelong philanthropist, Rucker co-chaired the capital campaign that generated $150 million to help build the new MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, S.C. and has raised over $5.1 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through his annual Darius and Friends benefit concert and golf tournament. In addition, Rucker has advocated for over 200 charitable causes supporting public education and junior golf programs in South Carolina through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation and serves as a National Chair for the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, Tenn. Rucker is also an avid sports fan, with his Darius Rucker Collection by Fanatics line of NFL, MLB, NHL and NCAA apparel available via Fanatics.com, and he is part of the Music City Baseball investment group working to bring an MLB team to Tennessee in addition to serving as a partner at the MGC Sports & Entertainment agency.

For more information, visit DariusRucker.com and follow on social media @DariusRucker.

Songs of Summer Tour

June 4 | Toledo, Ohio | Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre | George Birge, Austin Williams +

June 5 | Grantville, Pa. | Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course | George Birge, Austin Williams *’

June 6 | Canandaigua, N.Y. | Constellation Brands – Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center | George Birge, Austin Williams *’

June 11 | Bethel, N.Y. | Bethel Woods Center for the Arts | George Birge, Austin Williams *

June 12 | Atlantic City, N.J. | Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena | Austin Williams *

June 13 | Gilford, N.H. | BankNH Pavilion | George Birge, Austin Williams *

June 18 | Greensboro, N.C. | White Oak Amphitheatre at Greensboro Coliseum Complex | George Birge, Austin Williams *

June 19 | Wilmington, N.C. | Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park | George Birge, Austin Williams *

June 25 | Grand Rapids, Mich. | Acrisure Amphitheater | Lauren Alaina, Austin Williams +

June 26 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Riverbend Music Center | Lauren Alaina, Austin Williams #

June 27 | Clarkston, Mich. | Pine Knob Music Theatre | Lauren Alaina, Austin Williams +

July 16 | Washington, D.C. | The Theater at MGM National Harbor | Austin Williams *

July 17 | Bridgeport, Conn. | Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater | Robert Randolph, Austin Williams *

July 18 | Boston, Mass. | Leader Bank Pavilion | Robert Randolph, Austin Williams *

July 23 | Phoenix, Ariz. | Arizona Financial Theatre | Old Crow Medicine Show, Austin Williams +

July 24 | Albuquerque, N.M. | First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater | Old Crow Medicine Show, Austin Williams *

July 25 | Morrison, Colo. | Red Rocks Amphitheatre | Old Crow Medicine Show, Austin Williams *

July 30 | Rogers, Ark. | Walmart AMP | Evan Honer, Austin Williams *

July 31 | Kansas City, Mo. | Starlight Theatre | Evan Honer, Austin Williams ^

August 1 | Indianapolis, Ind. | Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park | Evan Honer, Austin Williams *

* on sale Feb. 27

+ on sale March 6

# on sale March 13

^ on sale March 20

’ not a Live Nation show

Brooks And Dunn Extend “NEON MOON TOUR” Into 2026

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 24, 2026

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Brooks And Dunn Extend “NEON MOON TOUR” Into 2026

Brooks & Dunn, the best-selling country duo of all time and most-awarded artists in CMA history, announced today that they will extend their NEON MOON TOUR into 2026. Promoted by Live Nation and kicking off this fall in Evansville, IN on September 10, the Country Music Hall of Famers will bring their “don’t miss” (Whiskey Riff) live show to over a dozen cities across the United States with direct support from renowned country rocker David Lee Murphy or red-hot rising star Tucker Wetmore, and additional support from Willow Avalon, Kaitlin Butts, Caylee Hammack and Angie K. Artist presales begin Wednesday, February 25 at 10AM local time and general onsale begins at 10AM local time this Friday, February 27.

Next month, the duo will trek on their first-ever string of UK dates, headlining Europe’s largest country music festival, C2C 2026, with stops in Belfast, Glasgow and London. They’ll return to the U.S. shortly after for Stagecoach before rejoining Morgan Wallen for eight stadium stops this summer on his Still the Problem Tour 2026.

2026 Neon Moon Tour Dates:
9/10 – Evansville, IN – Ford Center * #
9/11 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre * #
9/12 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena * #
9/17 – Toledo, OH – The Huntington Center ^ !
9/18 – Charleston, WV – Charleston Coliseum ^ !
9/19 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center ^ !
9/24 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre ^ ~
9/25 – Grand Rapids, MI – Acrisure Amphitheater ^ ~
9/26 – Green Bay, WI – Resch Center ^ ~
10/1 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center * <
10/2 – Kansas City, MO – Morton Amphitheater ^ <
10/3 – Moline, IL – Vibrant Arena ^ <
10/8 – Lafayette, LA – Cajundome * #
10/9 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena * #

with Tucker Wetmore
^ with David Lee Murphy

Caylee Hammack

~ Willow Avalon
! Kaitlin Butts
< Angie K

NWOBHM Legends Raven Storm North America With 40-Date Metal Tour

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 24, 2026

0

NWOBHM Legends Raven Storm North America With 40-Date Metal Tour

New Wave of British Heavy Metal pioneers Raven return to the stage with a 40-date North American run from March through May, joined by special guests Slackjaw. After what the band calls a “medical gap year” in 2025, the Gallagher brothers are back at full throttle and ready to unleash their signature high-speed assault across the continent.

Frontman John Gallagher says, “Hey there!! we’re hungry and itching to get back out on the road after the ‘medical gap year’ of 2025. It’s gonna be a take no prisoners full volume manic affair with Slackjaw out with us on this 2026 US tour!!” The tone is set. The amps are cranked. The mission is direct.

Formed in Newcastle in 1974, Raven helped define the raw edge of the NWOBHM movement, influencing generations of thrash and speed metal bands and giving Metallica and Anthrax early tour support. Decades later, the lineup of John Gallagher, Mark Gallagher and drummer Mike Heller continues to push forward following recent releases including ‘ALL HELL’S BREAKING LOOSE’ and the EP ‘CAN’T TAKE AWAY THE FIRE.’

From intimate clubs to hard-hitting rock rooms, the 2026 tour stretches coast to coast across the U.S. and Canada, delivering the kind of live intensity that has defined Raven for more than four decades. This is heavy metal without compromise, built for the faithful and the fearless.

RAVEN 2026 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES

3/18/2026 – Louisville, KY – Goodwood Whiskey Row
3/19/2026 – St. Louis, MO – Red Flag
3/20/2026 – Kansas City, MO – Westport Brewery
3/21/2026 – Oklahoma City, OK – 89th Street Live
3/22/2026 – Dallas, TX – RBC
3/24/2026 – El Paso, TX – RockHouse
3/25/2026 – Mesa, AZ – Nile Underground
3/26/2026 – Hollywood, CA – The Whisky
3/27/2026 – San Luis Obispo, CA – Humdinger Brewing
3/28/2026 – San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge
3/29/2026 – Reno, NV – Club Underground
3/31/2026 – Portland, OR – Dante’s
4/1/2026 – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre
4/2/2026 – Seattle, WA – Funhouse
4/3/2026 – Boise, ID – The Shredder
4/4/2026 – Salt Lake City, UT – Aces High Saloon
4/5/2026 – Denver, CO – The Federal Theatre
4/7/2026 – Lincoln, NE – 1867 Bar
4/8/2026 – Cudahy, WI – X-Ray Arcade
4/9/2026 – Chicago, IL – Reggie’s Rock Club
4/10/2026 – Columbus, OH – The King of Clubs
4/11/2026 – Lakewood, OH – Mercury Music Lounge
4/12/2026 – Hamtramck, MI – Sanctuary
4/14/2026 – New Kensington, PA – Preserving Underground
4/15/2026 – Brooklyn, NY – The Woodshop
4/16/2026 – Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern
4/17/2026 – Ottawa, ON – Rainbow Bistro
4/18/2026 – Quebec City, QC – L’Anti Bar & Spectacles
4/19/2026 – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar
4/21/2026 – Albany, NY – Empire Underground
4/22/2026 – Old Town, ME – The Old Town Theatre
4/23/2026 – Manchester, NH – Jewel Music Venue
4/24/2026 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz
4/25/2026 – Harrisburg, PA – TBA
4/26/2026 – Richmond, VA – Ember Music Hall
4/29/2026 – Raleigh, NC – Chapel Of Bones
4/30/2026 – Greenville, SC – Radio Room
5/1/2026 – Nashville, TN – Exit/In
5/2/2026 – Atlanta, GA – Boggs Social & Supply
5/3/2026 – Bradenton, FL – Oscura

Dropkick Murphys To Play Free Minneapolis Memorial Concert

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 24, 2026

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Dropkick Murphys To Play Free Minneapolis Memorial Concert

Punk rock veterans Dropkick Murphys will perform a free acoustic memorial concert in Minneapolis on March 6, 2026 at 1 PM, ahead of their sold-out show at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul that evening. The performance honors Alex Pretti and Renée Good and stands as a public moment of remembrance for the Twin Cities community.

The concert will take place near the site where Pretti was killed, now a gathering point for reflection and solidarity. Local artists and musicians including Wild Colonial Bhoys, DJ Jacques, Kiss the Tiger, Sophie Hiroko, Chutes, Laamar, and Obi Original and The Shackletons will join the tribute. Community partners include Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Show Up for Eat Street, Immigrant Law Center and South Minneapolis Families Fund.

Ken Casey said, “We are so proud of how Minnesota stood up and met this moment and we are so sad for the community and for the Pretti and Good families for what they’ve gone through, so it is an honor to come down and be able to play some music for the people and let them know we stand in solidarity with them.” Anna Schmitz added, “We’re looking forward to having a time for the community to come together to honor Alex’s life and show the strength, resilience, and beauty of this neighborhood.”

The event will be livestreamed globally by Valor Media and Save America Movement at AbolishICE.live, with additional streaming via Meidas Touch. Funds raised will support rent relief, small businesses on Eat Street, immigrant legal services and families in South Minneapolis. The afternoon centers on unity, music and direct support for those impacted.

Brooklyn Pop Disruptor Leaf Levels Up With ‘In Your Dreams’

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 24, 2026

0

Brooklyn Pop Disruptor Leaf Levels Up With ‘In Your Dreams’

Leaf steps into a bigger spotlight with ‘In Your Dreams,’ a high-gloss, pop-charged statement that pushes her Dreamgirl universe further into full control mode. The Brooklyn artist frames the project around ambition and self-authorship, led by “Nobody” featuring Groovy. The tone is unapologetic. The vision is locked.

Where ‘Dreamgirl’ introduced her world, this release expands it. Tracks like “Revenge,” “Trust Funds” featuring Deto Black, “The Lead” featuring Lexy Pantera, and “Stunt on You” featuring Cleotrapa and Deto Black lean into bass-heavy confidence and sharp hooks. The reworked “Sponsor RMX” featuring Scarlip builds on the impact of the original anthem produced by Citoonthebeat. The sound is sleek, direct and built for replay.

The project’s emotional core runs deeper than flex culture. Before industry buzz and fashion campaigns, Leaf was mapping out her future in detail, writing down the life she wanted and moving toward it step by step. ‘In Your Dreams’ becomes the soundtrack to that evolution, documenting growth from survival mode to self-made architect. The energy feels intentional and earned.

Trained at LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, Leaf began crafting her own production early, blending hypnotic R&B melodies with pop polish and hip-hop edge. With partnerships spanning Pat McGrath, Calvin Klein, Good American and Baby Phat, she operates across music and fashion without losing her center. ‘In Your Dreams’ lands as a statement of scale and direction.

New York Ska Jazz Collective David Hillyard And The Rocksteady 7 Serve Up ‘Home For Dinner’

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 24, 2026

0

New York Ska Jazz Collective David Hillyard And The Rocksteady 7 Serve Up ‘Home For Dinner’

New York ska jazz collective David Hillyard & The Rocksteady 7 return with ‘Home For Dinner,’ a vibrant new album rooted in Jamaican rhythm and jazz tradition. Formed in 1992 by saxophonist David Hillyard of The Slackers, the group continues to refine a sound built on deep groove, melodic nuance and the communal energy of classic ska. The record is out now via Org Music on LP, CD and digital.

Co-produced and mixed by Roger Rivas of The Aggrolites, the album reflects the band’s open-door ethos and rotating-cast dynamic. Anchored by legendary percussionist Larry McDonald, the sessions feature guest vocalists Chris Murray, BNegão and Felipe Machado, along with keyboard contributions from Rivas, Vic Ruggiero and Mike Sarason. Backing vocals from Chiquis Lozoya and the late Greg Lee expand the extended family connection to Hepcat and beyond.

The first single “Until Then” featuring Chris Murray pairs classic ska rhythm with melodic songwriting, while the title track “Home For Dinner” delivers a buoyant instrumental led by bright horns and a joyful pulse. Both tracks are streaming now and capture the spirit of a band playing with precision and warmth. The energy feels lived-in and celebratory.

Across the album, original compositions sit alongside inventive takes on “Ca Purange,” “Mack the Knife,” “Mi Estrella,” and “Grazing in the Grass,” filtered through the group’s distinctive rhythmic lens. The vinyl edition arrives as a double LP pressed on transparent red with a double-sided insert, underscoring a release designed for collectors and dance floors alike.

Los Angeles Hip-Hop Breakout GELO Drops “Backyard Ball” With Swagger

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 24, 2026

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Los Angeles Hip-Hop Breakout GELO Drops “Backyard Ball” With Swagger

Lacing up for another chapter, Gold-certified breakout Los Angeles rapper GELO (LiAngelo Ball) unleashes a scorching new single entitled “Backyard Ball” via Def Jam Recordings. Listen HERE.

GELO sounds as victorious as ever on “Backyard Ball.” An energetic synth loop brushes up against tense hi-hats, and he delivers a fast-paced flow spiked with swagger and style. He drops classic hoop references into his bars and makes an ESPN First Take-style proclamation, “Like the Bulls in the 90s, every year my year.” Confident and charismatic all at once, he lets the competition know, “My team undefeated.”

Last year, GELO rocketed to the forefront of the culture. He shook the game with the Platinum-certified “Tweaker” and his full-length debut, League of My Own. Beyond posting up hundreds of millions of streams and attracting collabs with Lil Wayne and GloRilla, it earned widespread acclaim from the likes of Stereogum, VIBE, Bleacher Report, and more. Billboard christened him 2025’s “Hip-Hop Rookie of the Year,” and UPROXX affirmed, “Few rappers these days see the kind of breakout success from a debut effort as GELO has.” Not to mention, he earned a spot among XXL’s coveted “Freshman Class” 2025, gracing the cover. Moreover, he hit the stage for stunning performances at the BET Awards Pre-Show, 2025 ESPY Awards, NBA All-Star Game, Rolling Loud, and more.

With “Backyard Ball,” it’s clear he’s back in the game, and he isn’t playing around.

Be on the lookout for more soon.

When GELO gets on the microphone, his hunger is practically audible. The Southern California native born LiAngelo Ball raps with an unmatched level of drive and ambition fueled by his lifelong passion for music. Over the years, he has quietly filled dozens of notebooks with rhymes, spent countless hours freestyling, and recorded hundreds of songs. This under-the-radar grind has prepared him for his moment. As a kid, he developed a deep appreciation for music. Upon hearing 50 Cent’s Get Rich Or Die Tryin’, he decided to grab a pen and write raps of his own. At 18-years-old, he recorded in a studio for the first time. Simultaneously, he excelled on the court, playing basketball internationally, earning a contract with the Detroit Pistons, and shining on the Greensboro Swarm. At the top of 2025, he entered the world-famous Paramount Recording Studios in Hollywood and left with “albums’ worth of material.” The breakout “Tweaker” would just be the first one to pop. Beyond debuting in the Top 30 of the Billboard Hot 100 and amassing millions of streams, it catapulted to #1 on the TikTok Top 50 Viral Chart, #1 on the Apple Music Hip-Hop Chart, #1 on the iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap Songs Chart, #1 on Genius, and #1 on US Shazam. It’s no wonder GQ hailed it as “the year’s first genuine heater,” and Complex predicted, “‘Tweaker’ is probably not going anywhere anytime soon.” Now, he introduces himself with a deluge of new material and his forthcoming debut project A League of My Own with Def Jam Recordings.