Joony truly encapsulates the essence of a sonic Swiss Army knife in today’s “do it all” artist landscape. Cut from a different cloth, his Tokyo Drift inspired single not only led in his new album, PRETTY IN BLACK, but further proved the DMV rapper’s affinity for thinking outside the box.
“DRIFTING IN TOKYO” isn’t just a nod to the classic flick, The Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift, but sees Joony fuse his captivating off-kilter aesthetic over UK garage-inspired production with ease. Usually known for his status in the pluggnb scene, Joony’s talent is far beyond that of his following — still on the rise as one of the underground’s most exciting voices.
Cruising to late night vibes in Tokyo, “DRIFTING IN TOKYO” (produced by Davy’s Archive) follows up his LONEWOLF-directed video and single for “Anytime” in March. Streaking towards PRETTY IN BLACK, the DMV crooner’s last two cuts both tout similar, somber electro-piano melodies, however, “DRIFTING IN TOKYO” will be the album’s lead single.
With a hypnotic Rhodes keyboard looping in the background, Joony literally “drifts” over the track’s atmospheric production, as “DRIFTING IN TOKYO” once again asserts his ability to tackle any sonic element thrown at him. The visual, directed by Ethan Iverson, sees Joony and his crew hitting 180s in parking lots and drag racing lavish cars in the night. It’s yet another triumph for Joony, whose profound lyrics are scattered across the cover art on his new release.
I can’t do this no more
But I don’t wanna die alone
I might have to let it go
Leave ya at the dial tone
Last year I did it all
Oh they took the swag I invented y’all
Oh I get them bands what ya know about
Joony — “DRIFTING IN TOKYO”
As Joony preps for his first full-length record since his 2021 album Silent Battles and 6-track EP Proud Of U, expect the rising alt-rapper to take over the underground much sooner rather than later.
Watch Joony’s “DRIFTING IN TOKYO” below!
