Tuxedo

"The only time you wear a Tuxedo is when it's time to party."

So said legendary West Coast player Snoop Dogg on the opening track of the Tuxedo’s sophomore album, Tuxedo II. The blessing of the Doggfather was of special importance to Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One, solidifying them at the forefront of the new wave of boogie funk - one that owes as much to G-funk as P-funk. This is the territory of pre- and post-hydraulic lowriders: a mélange of Cali boom-bap, analog synth bass and elegant-funk that resonates with authenticity in an era where so many are faking it.

Bonding over a shared love of Parliament, Zapp and other signs in the greater funk Zodiac, Mayer Hawthorne (Aquarius) and Jake One (Taurus), collectively known as Tuxedo, return with their fourth studio album, Tuxedo IV.

Their first release in March of 2015 debuted at #1 on Apple Music’s RnB charts, christened as “Dance floor catnip” by the Boston Globe, and “Pure disco-funk hot fire” by Okayplayer. The sophomore album on Stones Throw Records was premiered with a special performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live and dubbed as “Straight-up funk magic” by Noisey. Tuxedo III, released in 2019, includes features from the late great MF DOOM, DāM-FunK, Leven Kali, Benny Sings and many others.

Considering their individual successes (Mayer's five solo albums, Jake's production work for the likes of Drake, Future, The Weeknd, and De La Soul) and eleven GRAMMY nominations between the two of them, it's no surprise that their powers combined have yet again yielded a bevy of absolute slappers that are packaged perfectly for dance parties in 2024 and beyond. The material here, while wholly original, is an exercise in honoring its forebears like the first three albums, but this time it’s clear that the duo’s experience and chemistry has crystalized to propel the affair to new heights. The album's concept comes courtesy of its message of universal love; thanks to the signature combination of funk and pop sensibility that have come to define Tuxedo's hooks.

"This is celebration music..." says Mayer in a recent interview with NPR, one of the many outlets to cover Tuxedo's rise – see NPR’s Tiny Desk. After all - the transcendental ritual of the party and the rippling self-affirmation of the funk are of one spirit: the spirit of self-love...of self-expression. Tuxedo IV is a modern testament to unity and positivity in trying times. It is a reminder that the dance floor will always be there to welcome you, whoever you are.

Roll the Windows Down and turn the volume up, Tuxedo is Back 4 More so Don’t Think Twice.