Joey Valence (Joseph Birtolino) and Brae (Braedan Lugue) first met in 2018 during their freshman year at State College, Pennsylvania, where they were connected through mutual friends at a local Red Lobster restaurant. This casual encounter quickly evolved into a creative collaboration. United by their mutual love for music and a shared sense of humor, they began producing music together in their dorms at Penn State. In April 2021, their debut single, ‘Crank It Up’, went viral, catching the attention of hip-hop enthusiasts globally, with many comparing their vibe and energy to that of the Beastie Boys. Their fashion—baggy jeans, sleek oval sunglasses, and baseball caps—evoked the style trends of the late '90s and early 2000s.
Since then, the duo has seen their passionate fanbase grow significantly. As prolific creators, they launched their debut album, ‘PUNK TACTICS’, in September 2023 under JVB Records, their own label. The album’s title track attracted hundreds of millions of streams, along with songs like ‘STARTAFIGHT’ and ‘HOOLIGANG’, the latter of which became the nickname for their fan community. Just nine months later, they released their second self-produced LP, ‘NO HANDS’. Songs such as ‘THE BADDEST’ further heightened anticipation for their live shows, with videos showcasing their electrifying, energetic stage entrances, complemented by eye-catching captions like ‘fun music is BACK’ that spread across the internet.
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Continuing to build momentum, the duo released their third album after signing with RCA Records. ‘HYPERYOUTH’, revealed at the end of summer, maintains the high-energy, club-ready tracks while also delving into a more emotionally nuanced sound, addressing themes of childhood nostalgia and adolescent anxiety. Valence, who produces all their music, displays his expanding musical versatility in what is clearly the duo’s most ambitious work to date.
In the dressing room of a sold-out show at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, CLASH spoke with JVB just a few hours before they took the stage. “We love this shit. At the heart of it, we’re best friends and we care for one another. If it ever stops being fun, we’ll have to reassess, but it hasn’t stopped being enjoyable,” Brae explains, out of breath when discussing the group’s busy calendar, which has included three album releases and multiple world tours in less than two years.
“We handle everything ourselves,” Joey adds. “All the videos, artwork, production, and music come completely from us. Burnout can happen, but you just have to recognize when it does. Music is a form of expression, and that’s why we do this. Above all, we’re expressing ourselves, so we always refer back to that and remind ourselves this is our goal.”
While part of their appeal stems from filling a void in the market for a resurgence of old-school, punk-inspired rap, the pair asserts that this direction wasn’t a conscious choice. “I don’t think it is something we decided on; it sort of found us. There was clearly a gap for fun hip-hop music, but it’s also just what resonated with us. Our voices fit well with it, and it was incredibly fun to create. We often try to make each other laugh through our lyrics and incorporate a lot of drums in the process,” Brae states.
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The duo has performed in London multiple times and already announced more dates for the following year, including a show at the Roundhouse on May 12th. However, their connection to the city runs deeper. Their initial London performance took place at The Underworld in Camden in 2022. A 2024 report from the Music Venue Trust estimated that 25 venues in the UK closed that same year. While still a significant number, this was a decrease from the previous year's 125 closures, which represented the worst year on record for the industry. “We’re so fortunate to have played in those smaller venues before we got the chance to perform in larger ones. It's not just about acts like us coming from America and having the privilege to play in the UK, but it’s vital for local scenes everywhere,” Brae notes.
He adds, “Those venues are where younger fans often experience live music for the first time. Particularly in DIY genres like underground hip-hop, punk, and hardcore; keeping those spaces open is critically important. They represent the first step into a live music scene and meeting others who share similar musical tastes. I would be devastated if The Underworld closed down. That was our first gig here, and it felt massive at the time.”
“It’s where the culture begins and thrives,” Joey asserts. “In hardcore music, those small venues are essential for nurturing that culture. We draw a lot of inspiration from hardcore, so watching those spaces disappear is incredibly frustrating.”
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Joey Valence (Joseph Birtolino) and Brae (Braedan Lugue) first met in 2018 while they were freshmen at State College, Pennsylvania, where they