At ease. Brent Faiyaz and Joony’s cult classic “Paper Soldier” has graced all digital streaming platforms three years after its unofficial release.
Faiyaz, who launched his newfound creative label ISO Supremacy with the thematic LARGER THAN LIFE, initially shared the track via a private DropBox link in 2021 to widespread praise. At the time, Joony’s presence in the DMV started to bubble due to the buzz around his debut tape Silent Battles. As his second official collaboration with Faiyaz (appearing on WASTELAND’s Billboard Top 100 hit “FYTB” last year), the official release of “Paper Soldier” feels more like a celebration of success packaged into a time warp.
Opulent hooks and hypnotizing production have become a hallmark of both Joon and Faiyaz’s discography, meshing their respective styles ever-so-flawlessly on the transcendent cut. Its cinematic nature provides a complement to Joony’s latest project MEMENTO, which sees the 22-year-old RedBull star collect real-life moments like “mementos.”
“The project ‘MEMENTO’ is somewhat of a memento in and of itself. I made all of the music during a part of my life where I was traveling the country with the homies, making memories, and diving deeper into the next phase of my career. All the interludes are excerpts from real-life moments and conversations recorded throughout the creation of the project, hence ‘MEMENTO’.”
Joony on ‘MEMENTO’
Featuring the likes of Tony Shhnow, Lancey Foux, TTM Dawg and more, Joony and fellow DMV star TyFontaine have also become a dynamic duo in their own right. Appearing on Fontaine’s “DOS” ahead of his forthcoming tape 264 (due out Dec. 1), the pair have alluded to a joint tape coming in the near future.
On top of co-signs from Brent, Jordan Ward, Highway, BabyFace Ray, BLXST (who oversees his joint venture with EVGLE and RedBull Records), Joony’s enigmatic ascension in 2023 was well worth the diligence — sharing MEMENTO, SHITUMSS in June and his debut album PRETTY IN BLACK all within a one-year span.
Faiyaz is LARGER THAN LIFE on all fronts, as his new record featured superstar guests in BabyFace Ray, Missy Elliot, A$AP Rocky, Tommy Richman, Coco Jones Amid his worldwide F*CK THE WORLD, ITS A WASTELAND tour, Faiyaz is set to perform his show live on Apple Music this week (Nov. 29).
Check out “Paper Soldier” below!