Rich Brian announces new album WHERE IS MY HEAD? out May 23 via 88rising + ‘Little Ray Of Light’ out now
RICH BRIAN
WHERE IS MY HEAD? LP
May 23 via 88rising
‘Little Ray Of Light‘ is out now, buy/stream it here.
Rich Brian announces his forthcoming album WHERE IS MY HEAD due May 23rd. The announcement is paired with the arrival of his new single ‘Little Ray Of Light’, the first official offering from the project, alongside a new music video. LISTEN HERE + WATCH HERE.
His first official release since his 2022 EP Brightside, ‘Little Ray Of Light’ marks a notable sonic shift from the catalog on which Rich Brian has built his career. The self-produced song is built around analog instrumentation and sees him primarily embracing his singing voice in a way that past releases have not. The song’s accompanying music video is as raw and diaristic as the song itself with Brian conducting a string section, a nod to his involvement in the music video’s creative direction with director Jared Hogan.
The song and video mark a bold reintroduction to one of the brightest-burning stars of the 2010s–the product of someone who was ubiquitous for nearly 6 years only to go quiet for the last 3. ‘Little Ray Of Light’ marks the first taste of Rich Brian’s long-awaited third full-length album, which he had previously teased on socials, thus answering the question of what he was up to during his time away.
WATCH: ‘Little Ray Of Light’ (Official Video)
With WHERE IS MY HEAD?, Rich Brian’s first full-length album since 2019, the Indonesian-born artist redefines and coheres his vision in a staggering way. He’s making the most vulnerable and authentic music of his life, in turn deepening the connection with his ever growing army of devoted fans. With WHERE IS MY HEAD?, Rich Brian’s definition of success now means something different than ever before. He’s had the hits. Now? He wants something more.
Brian decided to handle most of the performances himself, honing in on an analog sound thanks to his intense immersion learning to play synthesisers and keyboards. He sings more than ever before on the new album, showcasing a confident and mature delivery. It was a bold switch-up from Brian, who could have coasted on his success last decade. He became the first Asian artist to reach number one on the iTunes Hip-Hop charts. Who wouldn’t want to coast on that success?
The accolades are nice, but Rich Brian wants something more with WHERE IS MY HEAD?, Brian has finally discovered himself. His priority is simple: How can he make art that makes him happy? He asks: “How can I continue to make music that I love more than anything else?” On WHERE IS MY HEAD? Rich Brian answers that question on each and every track.
Growing up homeschooled in Indonesia, Brian found the Internet to be his English teacher and window to the world beyond. After moving to America alone at the age of 17, Brian has been both awed and humbled by his experiences, as they simultaneously smack him down to Earth and lift him up. After making the leap to America, Brian has experienced all the glory of “making it” – from collaborating with the likes of 21 Savage, Offset, and Playboi Carti, to selling out shows and playing festivals around the world.
Brian’s debut project Amen, released in February 2018, garnered widespread critical acclaim and topped the iTunes Hip-Hop charts – a first in history for an Asian musician. Brian has since gone on to sell out shows across North America, Europe and Asia, and festivals worldwide, including Bonnaroo and Rolling Loud. In 2019 Brian released The Sailor, his second full-length album to critical acclaim, with Hypebeast proclaiming, “Rich Brian flawlessly tackles his sonic growth and Asian identity.” Featuring production from Bekon & The Donuts, 1Mind, Frank Dukes and Rich Brian himself, The Sailor documents Brian’s coming-of-age in the public eye, which has taken him from an Internet-born rapper to an Indonesian icon and hero for Asian youth around the world.
After spending months in quarantine, Brian followed up The Sailor with the 1999 EP. A sonically diverse project borne out of months of social isolation, the majority of the EP is both self-written and produced. In 2021 Brian reached new heights with his first-ever U.S. Top 40 radio hit for ‘edamame’ with bbno$, and also played a prominent role in Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi & The Legend of the Ten Rings soundtrack – including collaborations with 21 Savage, Rick Ross, and DJ Snake. More recently, Rich Brian made history as one of the first Indonesian artists to play a solo headline set at Coachella and continues to attract billions of streams to his name with every new triumph.