UPDATE: Dro Kenji officially released “UDNTLUVME” on all digital streaming platforms on Feb. 16. The track originally on Jan. 12 via SoundCloud.
It’s no surprise that Dro Kenji continues to get more impressive — insistently evolving his sound to create more “beautiful music.”
Fitting for his 21st birthday on Jan. 12, the Internet Money phenom hit the club to the theme of his fresh-pressed anthem “UDNTLUVME.” Perhaps his most experimental track to date, Kenji croons over ceaseless kicks and droning, synchronized guitar strums — blending his rock-inspired sound to craft a Jersey Club fusion perfect for a late night out.
3/?/23
— KENJI (@drokenji) February 9, 2023
Happy belated birthday to the 🐐 @drokenji! 🎉
— Our Generation Music (@OGMusicCo) January 12, 2023
One of the best rising stars of our generation… What’s your favorite Kenji album? 🧐 #OGM
Stream his infectious b-day single “YOU DONT LOVE ME”: https://t.co/7fNVvPkfrl pic.twitter.com/8sYb1auJFC
It feels as if the sun is peeking through the early-morning air on “UDNTLUVME,” as Kenji captivates with drawled, laid-back melodies over the track’s infectious bounce. “Your body excites me, I want nothing else / Come get lost with me baby, show yourself / why should I love you if you don’t trust yourself?”, he sings with tired passion, striving to turn dance floor lust into mutual love.
Produced by longtime collaborator Census, twinkling bells, on-beat breaths and vibey vocal cuts all create an atmosphere fit for Kenji’s otherworldly allure. The pair are truly unmatched when they link up, making for one of the new wave’s most potent producer-artist duos. Crafting a new sound altogether, “UDNTLUVME” is as breathtaking as it is groovy — proving that Kenji’s star still hasn’t reached its peak.
a gift for us on @drokenji’s birthday?! Y’all are undefeated together 😤 @onlycensus
— Our Generation Music (@OGMusicCo) January 12, 2023
Stream “YOU DONT LOVE ME”: https://t.co/7fNVvPkNgT https://t.co/h9mgL4qxxs pic.twitter.com/ekR7Fqr1fw
.@midwxst and @drokenji closed out their Chicago show with their collab track “ALONE” off ‘ANYWHERE BUT HERE’ 🤯
— Our Generation Music (@OGMusicCo) November 26, 2022
Did y’all catch their sets? #OGM pic.twitter.com/NtpltDUlTQ
.@drokenji SHUT DOWN Reggie’s Rock Club in Chicago… y’all catch this? #OGM
— Our Generation Music (@OGMusicCo) November 26, 2022
(📸: via @JonBarlas) pic.twitter.com/RbcCeZhp7j
.@drokenji and @kashdami getting turnt in the studio to an unreleased track titled “ILUUVDATSHIT”… need this 😤 #OGM pic.twitter.com/0RtUFttKmq
— Our Generation Music (@OGMusicCo) December 19, 2022
Elevating his artistry with three projects in 2022, WITH OR WITHOUT YOU, LOST IN HERE and ANYWHERE BUT HERE not only garnered Kenji greater visibility, but reasserted his will to push the boundaries of his sound. Now attaining over 1.3 million Spotify monthly listeners — just two years after dropping his debut project TEARS & PISTOLS — his joint tour with fellow rising star Midwxst further encapsulated his immaculate run in 2022.
The South Carolina singer-rapper has dropped a total of seven projects since being introduced alongside Internet Money and Nick Mira’s MiraTouch Records. Eyeing another record this coming March, there’s simply no sound that Dro can’t make his own.
Listen to “UDNTLUVME” below!