Bootie Brown
Bootie Brown, the visionary rapper and producer best known as a founding member of alternative hip-hop trailblazers The Pharcyde, is breaking new ground once again with his latest single, “UnAwake.” The track is a kaleidoscopic fusion of opera, funk, soul, and experimental hip-hop—a bold declaration of artistic freedom wrapped in a sound he’s coined UltraHipFunkWave.
With “UnAwake,” Brown continues his lifelong habit of sidestepping convention. Built around an undisturbed dream of doing the impossible, the song brims with surreal textures and emotional weight. “Sometimes the dream is what you need to get beyond the thought of people saying you can’t,” says Brown.
Produced by Fabrice Grassin, “UnAwake” leans into cinematic drama. An opera singer and live violinist help heighten the track’s haunting orchestration, while the addition of Chicago soul powerhouse Peven Everett injects pulse and movement. The result is a track that feels simultaneously grounded and otherworldly—something like a revolutionary anthem playing in a dream.
Since his days with The Pharcyde—where he helped define West Coast alt-rap with iconic tracks like “Passin’ Me By” and “Drop”—Brown has never stopped evolving. Whether collaborating with Gorillaz on hits like “Dirty Harry” and “New Gold,” or touring globally with Africa Express, he’s always looking for the next horizon. He’s currently on tour with Africa Express and is set to perform with Gorillaz at London’s Copper Box Arena on August 30.
Brown’s reach extends beyond music. He co-owns the creative boutique Store No 242 and runs PharcydeTV, an independent streaming platform that reflects his commitment to culture without compromise.
“UnAwake” marks the beginning of a new chapter in Bootie Brown’s artistic journey—one that refuses to be defined, and one that insists: the dream isn’t over, not even close.
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