
Joan Jullian

Laura B began her DJ career in 1981 in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, holding
residencies at popular clubs such as Freddie’s, Doc Weeds, and Acapulco Beach
Bar. Inspired by the pioneering sounds of DJs from DJ International and Trax
Records, and her experiences at the Warehouse Club in Chicago, Laura developed
her signature energetic house style. Access to an extensive range of music
through record pools like DJ International and Let’s Dance, supplemented by
Gramophone and Imports, fueled her dynamic sets.
In 1989, Laura secured a residency at Excalibur/Aura/Vision, where she
performed for over 12 years. This pivotal period in her career led to radio shows
and additional residencies throughout Chicago. In 1999, she began spinning at
Manhole, which later became Hydrate in 2003, a venue she still commands today.
Beyond the pulsating beats of the club scene, Laura B extended her musical
prowess to diverse arenas. She pulsated her beats to the airwaves, with her live
mix shows featured on Q101’s Alternative Beats and Energy 97. In 1998, she
released a CD entitled "Club Series Vol. 1," a continuous house mix on the UC
Construction label. For over two decades, she has been a vital force in Chicago's
festival circuit, contributing her skills to the NorthHalsted Street Alliance for
events like NorthHalsted Market Days and Pridefest celebrations.
With an illustrious career spanning over 40 years, Laura B has established herself
as a commanding presence in Chicago's vibrant nightlife scene. She has held
prestigious residencies at iconic venues such as Excalibur/Vision, the city's largest
nightclub, and the popular LGBTQ+ hotspot, Hydrate Nightclub. Her enduring
commitment to the art of DJing is further demonstrated by her long-term
engagements at notable venues including Aura Nightclub, Manhole in Chicago,
and Hunters Nightclub in Elk Grove Village. Currently, she continues to captivate
audiences with her residencies at Hydrate and STK.
Laura B’s flair for reading the room and delivering energetic mixes consistently
keeps dance floors electrified, ensuring her legacy in Chicago's nightlife is both
celebrated and enduring.
Sasha Love electrifies Chicago’s drag scene with vibrant performances blending bold charisma and impeccable style. Known for her dynamic stage presence, Sasha captivates audiences with dazzling costumes, fierce lip-syncing, and empowering messages. A beacon of creativity and inclusivity, Sasha Love reigns as a beloved icon, spreading love and glitter wherever she goes.
Armed with vocal prowess and an explosive stage presence, Kaleena Zanders is one of the fastest emerging stars in music. Earning comparisons to ’90s House vocalists like CeCe Peniston and Robin S – and even Whitney Houston – Zanders existence brings the genre back to its queer, Black origins giving passage to those who are sometimes unseen. Her songs usually pack a punch with social messages and upbeat music.
In her short career, Zanders has collaborated with the likes Finneas, Keke Palmer, Pasek and Paul and headlining dance artists such as AC Slater, Loud Luxury, Breathe Carolina, MoonBoots, Morgan Page, SNBRN to name a few. Zanders has released tracks through the most notable dance labels, including Spinnin’ Records, Ultra Music, Armada Music, Anjunadeep, and DIM MAK. She has taken the mic at major festivals including Coachella, EDC and Snow Globe, and has been highlighted as the cover star for editorial playlists for both Spotify and TIDAL.
In the wake of 2022, Kaleena became committed and vocal about pushing BIPOC artists and queer artists to the forefront in dance music to reclaim the space as their own. For the future, Kaleena Zanders plans to continue to create a space of diversity for others like her and make music that uplifts the world.
Amber Riley is an American actress and singer best known for her portrayal of Mercedes Jones on the Fox comedy-drama series Glee. For her performance on the series, she and the rest of the cast won a Screen Actors Guild Award, and have been nominated for three Teen Choice Awards, three NAACP Image Awards, and a Grammy Award.
In 2016, Riley originated the lead role of Effie White in the West End debut of Dreamgirls. She won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical and Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Musical Performance in 2017 for her work.
Riley won season 17 of Dancing with the Stars in 2013 and recently participated on the American and British versions of The Masked Singer. In February 2023, she confirmed her debut album would be released later in the year.
DJ Saint Devera has been spinning for less than 2 years, yet already is a regular at Hydrate Nightclub in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, often bringing the sounds on Friday and Sunday nights. He also spins regularly at Splash.
And he had many memorable gigs in 2022, such as at Replay Lakeview during Northalsted Market Days, Halloween at Hydrate, Chicago Pride Fest weekend at Cerise Rooftop in the Virgin Hotel, plus gigs at Golden Dagger and Soho House, among others.
Platinum Carrington lives in Chicago and has been apart of the scene since 2020. She is commonly found producing and hosting parties and drag shows all throughout the North Halstead strip. She is extremely passionate for the art of drag, makeup, and loves finding new creative ways to execute the visions she has for her drag. Platinum is known for bringing high energy on the mic and creating a story for the
Doggpound unites Chicago based producer & DJ combos Chomper & BARKER in a high energy, high octane project that emanates passion and positivity through house music. Meeting through a stroke of luck, the boys became fast friends, mashing up decks together whenever they get the opportunity. Doggpound is always bouncing around the booth & never takes themselves too seriously while creating unforgettable dance journeys that leave audiences with hoarse voices & sore feet from moving and grooving for hours on end.
Blazian Sensation Aya Ito is a native of Tokyo, Japan and a multi-genre vocalist and songwriter. Pulling influence from Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, H.E.R., Robert Glasper, Rihanna, and Jhene Aiko, Aya Ito has created her signature Pop/R&B/Soul fusion sound, while also incorporating her trilingual abilities (English, Spanish and Japanese).
Aya has toured the US and Japan wowing crowds with her spirited performances and dynamic sound. Aya’s most recent release, “Just Might” reflects Aya’s pop and R&B influences in her own way and successfully mixes both production styles with live instrumentation.
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The Divas are Chicago’s newest ALL FEMALE FRONTED pop cover group, ready to bring the party with their powerhouse vocals, infectious choreography, electrifying band, and captivating stage presence. Playing the hits from all your favorite DIVAS past and present (think Aretha, Whitney, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Cher and more), The Divas are sure to have you dancing and singing along all night long. Are you ready to experience a live music event like no other?
Our mission as The Divas is to foster an environment where our audience feels uplifted, nostalgic and fully in love with themselves. We hope to empower you to face this world with confidence, taking up space you deserve in order to affect our society with positive change. We would love to have you experience our show not just as an escape, but as a re-charge!
Virago is a Chicago-based artist known for delivering genre-bending arrangements that ignite dance floors. With an electrifying mix of house, techno, disco, and everything in between; Virago commands the floor, driving the crowd with powerful, boundary-pushing sounds that redefine the dance experience. Virago has played all over the city of Chicago. You can catch her at her weekly residency at Splash Chicago.
Head of the infamous Midwest party crew, Organized Grime (CUNTea™️, LOAD™️ + Grizzly among others), Ryan Willing is known for Dark&Dirty House and TechHouse vibes with a heavy Chicago influence. With DJ residencies in Atlanta, Houston, Denver, Nashville, and Chicago, Willing is taking the industry by storm and heating up dance-floors all across the nation and world.
Max Rae is an LA and Las Vegas based pop artist who is making a splash in the music industry. Max’s intoxicatingly unique voice, songwriting talent, and killer dance skills make her a powerhouse artist and performer. Max has been a dancer since she was 3 years old, which shows in her hip-hop dance performances where her fans state that this is what sets her apart from all the rest.
Her influences include Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Tori Kelly, and Bruno Mars to name a few. “The way these artists perform and interact with their fans has really shaped me as an artist and has helped me to be unique in my own way.”
Lorely Rodriguez, the singular mind behind Empress Of, is a songwriter and producer living Brooklyn, NY. In the early part of 2012, she began a personal songwriting exercise, writing, and recording a daily series of one-minute ideas. Completing each of these snippets in several hours apiece, she eventually amassed a catalog of about fifty. Selections from this series were eventually uploaded to YouTube anonymously, each paired with a blank color swatch. The fruits of this project, deemed a series of “colorminutes”, were released on cassette via the Japanese record label, Big Love, and effectively served as the launch of Empress Of.
In the latter half of 2013, following domestic and international touring stints, her most ambitious recording to date, Realize You was self-released online to critical acclaim. Illustrating great progress in production and an even more broad swath of songwriting chops, incorporating witty lyricism and soaring melodies, this is just a hint of what remains in store for the future.
Miami based Producer/DJ Alex Lo has traveled the world bringing his sexy sounds to dance floors for the past 16 years. Leaving his hometown of Mexico City, he set out to showcase his signature style combining progressive house, tribal beats and circuit sounds to the masses and has captured the attention of club goers from Rio to Tel Aviv, Palm Springs to New York and everywhere in between. Alex credits iconic producers such as Peter Rauhofer’s contributions to the progressive house and tribal circuit, Offer Nissim’s energetic and emotional house music, and DJ Paulo’s tribal beats as his inspiration for shaping how he hears music, plays and programs his own sets and produces dance music he can call his own.
A few of the clubs and promoters Alex has worked with include The Week (Rio de Janeiro), Privilege (Ibiza), Legaga (Dubai), XLSIOR (Mykonos), Rapido and Warehouse (Amsterdam), Beyond (London), Papa Party (Tel Aviv), Jaleo (Madrid), Black Room (Barcelona), PAPA Party (Paris), Trumps (Lisbon), CircuitMOM (Chicago), Alegria (NYC), Masterbeat (LA), El Mozo (Bogota), WE Party (Madrid), Taurus Group (Santiago Chile). Alex has also participated in festivals such as Winter Party Festival and Urge Thanksgiving(Miami), White Party (Palm Spring), Circuit Festival (Barcelona), Supermartxe (Ibiza), Tel Aviv Pride, Zurich Pride, Feel Alive (Mexico’s Pride and NYE) and Arena Festival, (Playa del Carmen).
Alex dreams of one day producing dance music with Coldplay and Dua Lipa, but until then, he will keep bringing his unique style to packed dance floors and festivals around the world.
CircuitMOM, Chicago’s legendary drag performer, DJ, producer and community activist has been gracing the stages, bars and clubs of Chicago’s Boystown as well as international festivals and clubs for close to three decades. “Broadway meets the Circuit Party” is the best way to describe the experience an audience will have at a CircuitMOM event. Her brand proudly welcomes anyone and everyone to come join the party and celebrate the best in music, self-expression and authenticity while elevating the dance floor experience to next level of immersive entertainment.
CircuitMOM has headlined appearances in Vancouver, Prague, Miami, Chicago, Orlando, Toronto, New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Palm Spring, San Francisco and Hollywood to name a few along with network appearances for ABC and MTV. Gay and straight audiences alike embrace CircuitMOM’s unique combination of over-the-top productions and performances that fuse glamour, wit, and audacity. Their creativity is irrepressible and the keen eye for fostering talent has also become a hallmark of their productions. Up and coming artists, DJ’s, photographers, dancers, actors, musicians, costume designers and more have not only added their incomparable talents to countless event productions but have become family and continue to work as a collective force to bring audiences the very best in entertainment.
Their event production includes such major venues as the House of Blues Chicago, the Aragon Ballroom, the Uptown Theater Grand Lobby, Sidetrack Video Bar, Chicago’s Museum Of Contemporary Art, Venue610, ABC 7 Studios-Chicago, Windy City Live and countless other performance spaces locally and nationally where they have worked as artistic directors, actors, performance artists, production managers, television producers, podcast talent, DJs and so much more.
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Miami based Producer/DJ Alex Lo has traveled the world bringing his sexy sounds to dance floors for the past 16 years. Leaving his hometown of Mexico City, he set out to showcase his signature style combining progressive house, tribal beats and circuit sounds to the masses and has captured the attention of club goers from Rio to Tel Aviv, Palm Springs to New York and everywhere in between. Alex credits iconic producers such as Peter Rauhofer’s contributions to the progressive house and tribal circuit, Offer Nissim’s energetic and emotional house music, and DJ Paulo’s tribal beats as his inspiration for shaping how he hears music, plays and programs his own sets and produces dance music he can call his own.
A few of the clubs and promoters Alex has worked with include The Week (Rio de Janeiro), Privilege (Ibiza), Legaga (Dubai), XLSIOR (Mykonos), Rapido and Warehouse (Amsterdam), Beyond (London), Papa Party (Tel Aviv), Jaleo (Madrid), Black Room (Barcelona), PAPA Party (Paris), Trumps (Lisbon), CircuitMOM (Chicago), Alegria (NYC), Masterbeat (LA), El Mozo (Bogota), WE Party (Madrid), Taurus Group (Santiago Chile). Alex has also participated in festivals such as Winter Party Festival and Urge Thanksgiving(Miami), White Party (Palm Spring), Circuit Festival (Barcelona), Supermartxe (Ibiza), Tel Aviv Pride, Zurich Pride, Feel Alive (Mexico’s Pride and NYE) and Arena Festival, (Playa del Carmen).
Alex dreams of one day producing dance music with Coldplay and Dua Lipa, but until then, he will keep bringing his unique style to packed dance floors and festivals around the world.
Alex Lahey is an Australian alternative rock singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Her debut album I Love You Like a Brother was released in October 2017 and peaked at number 15 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Her second album, The Best of Luck Club followed in 2019, peaking at number 30. Following an EP issued during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she released her third record, The Answer Is Always Yes, in May 2023.
Natasha Bedingfield is an English–New Zealand singer and songwriter. She released her debut album, Unwritten, in 2004, which contained primarily up-tempo pop songs and was influenced by R&B music. It enjoyed international success with more than 2.3 million copies sold worldwide. Bedingfield received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the title track Unwritten, and at the 2005 and 2006 Brit Awards, she was nominated for Best British Female Artist. Unwritten also produced her only UK number one, These Words. Bedingfield has sold over 10 million albums and 10 million singles worldwide, totaling over 20 million records worldwide.
JoJo Siwa a singer, dancer, actress and internet personality. From 2015 to 2016, she appeared as a dancer on two seasons of the reality television show Dance Moms alongside her mother, Jessalynn Siwa. In 2017, Siwa signed to Nickelodeon and acted in various shows and films. Under Nickelodeon, she released several children’s songs and her own feature film, The J Team. She was included on Time‘s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020. In 2024, she launched her adult music career with the single “Karma” and its music video.
Sapphira Cristál is a classically trained opera singer, composer, and drag queen known for her theatrical lip sync style and six-octave vocal range. She holds 14 pageant crowns — including Miss’d America 2020/2021 —and has performed nationwide. Sapphira was a contestant on season 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race and is renowned as a charismatic host who commands the room and establishes a special, intimate connection with her audience.
John Duff is a singer, songwriter, actor, director, dancer, choreographer, and social media influencer. Duff came to prominence on social media and rose to greater prominence following the release of several viral hit singles, including Girly, Rich, and Hokie Pokie. In 2023, Duff released four independent singles: Cruise Control, House on Fire, Somebody’s Daughter, and Gravity.
The alter ego of non-binary comic/actor Caldwell Tidicue, Bob The Drag Queen describes herself as “hilarious, beautiful, talented and…humble.” Bob’s unabashed confidence won her the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” on season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race as well as multiple acting roles for HBO, Netflix, Sony Tristar, MTV, and VH1. The third season of Bob’s Emmy Award nominate HBO Max series We’re Here was released in 2022. Bob is also an accomplished stand up comedian with two solo specials under his belt and a starring role in the recent Netflix comedy concert film Stand Out executive produced by Wanda Sykes. Sibling Rivalry – Bob’s podcast with his comedy partner Monet X Change – is now on its sixth season.
Formed in 2019, its membership includes many dancers who performed in earlier LGBTQIA+ country/western dance troupes in Chicago going as far back as 2007.
This inclusive, not-for-profit, LGBTQIA+ country/western dance troupe can be seen performing at local street fairs and parades throughout the Midwest. Firebrand is the visual expression of SCCDA’s mission: to support and encourage the growth of country/western dancing in the Chicagoland area.
Visit our Facebook page for more information.
The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus (CGMC) has been an integral part of Chicago’s cultural and gay communities since 1983. For the last three decades, we have entertained audiences across the continent with innovative musical programming exploring everything from love to politics to the sometimes fabulous, sometimes challenging world of being gay-often all at the same time. Our always-memorable performances have included original musical revues; five popular productions celebrating the Sidetrack show tune experience; full-length book musicals including The Wizard of Oz, The Mikado, H.M.S. Pinafore and our original work – Ten Commandments – The Musical; traditional choral concerts and intimate cabaret presentations-all punctuated with our signature joyous irreverence.
CGMC has traveled extensively across North America, representing Chicago in cities including Montreal, New York, Denver, Miami, Los Angeles and New Orleans. We have also brought entertainment back home, hosting choruses from across the United States and Europe to sing with us here in Chicago.
Most recently, CGMC proudly sang “America the Beautiful” for the Illinois Marriage Equality Act bill-signing ceremony and was the featured guest choral performer for the star-studded concert, Broadway Rocks, with the Grant Park Music Festival in 2011. Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2001 and currently has four cd-recordings available: Cool Yule, featuring jazzy holiday selections; I Will Be Loved Tonight, a collection of our favorite love (and not-so-in-love) songs; Favorite Things, our second celebration of holiday music; and So Happy Together: Festival Gems, featuring all live performances from our appearances at the last three quadrennial GALA Festivals. CGMC has performed the National Anthem multiple times at world-famous Wrigley Field and for the WNBA Chicago Sky.
Tribute band to P!NK, Gwen Stefani, and Lady Gaga showcasing the energy and songs of the multi-platinum-selling, Grammy award-winning stars with other fierce female artists of pop and rock.
BTB is led by vocalist Charity, who brings their energy and power vocals to the stage. Bobby on guitar/backing vocals, Dan on drums/backing vocals, and Ryan on bass. Together, they bring you a fun, energetic show that will keep you coming back!
Jazz, Funk, R&B, and classic Hip-Hop are at the core of Jade the Ivy’s unique sound. A gifted and inventive story teller, this independent rapper from the South Side of Chicago has been experimenting with sounds and clever word play since her youth, first using poetry as a means to express herself and share her story. Her lyrics run the gamut from triumph in love, to the agony of heartbreak, to taking the world by storm. She holds nothing back in her honesty on a track or her live performances. Her perspective on life is raw and real and there is no question that audiences can feel that energy every time she hits the stage. Jade released her first official EP “Euphoric Wasteland” in early 2017.
Since that release, Jade has been captivating crowds with her infectous grooves in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Backed by a live band, Jade’s flow sets her apart from other rappers, paying homage to hip-hop’s golden era while bringing a flavor all her own.
“C*nty MeMe (pronounced MiMi) is a rebel, a warrior with vulnerability as their shield and their tongue as their sword,” the passionate artist explains. MeMe is nothing short of an enigma who can’t be boxed no matter how hard one tries, mostly because they’ll burn the box to a crisp and then cook your ass for trying to force them in said box. The Chicago artist pulls inspiration from the past while simultaneously showing listeners visions of the future. There’s nothing Cunty can’t do, with their delivery oozing confidence it is impossible not to fall in love with the artist. With a blistering mixtape and raging EP under their belt, Cunty is preparing for world domination, now’s the time to prepare to serve under your new ruler…Cunty MeMe.
Packed dance floors and long lines prevail at clubs when Laura B is spinning. Her ability for any music genre has had the crowds moving in the clubs since 1982 in Chicago. Open format remains her specialty, but make no mistake: she has held residencies with specific genres including house, hip hop, and top 40. This talent kept Laura B a buzz and moved the “Bee” into Queen Bee status. Her experience has kept her working hard hailing over 13 years of residency at Excalibur/Vision Chicago’s largest Nightclub and over 16 years residency Hydrate Nightclub Chicago’s premier gay club where she still reigns. Other residencies also included Manhole, Hunters, and Club Escape, all in Chicago. Most recently she can be found regularly at Lark, Joy District, and STK.
Chicago radio waves have broadcasted several “live from the club” mix shows with Laura B. Q101 aired her show Alternative Beats for several years where she spun trance, techno, and house live from the club Aura every Thursday night. She also played for Energy 97’s Friday night dance parties. Prerecorded mix sets were heard on B96 and several Internet radio shows spanning decades.
For over 20 years she’s provided her skills for Runway Fashion Shows in Chicago including pre-production planning, music selection, and sound engineer for each fashion event. Fashion shows were held in several different locations including the Drake Hotel, Germania Place, and White Star Nightclub.
During Chicago’s festival season Laura provided and continues to provide her DJ skills on many stages in Chicago. Windy City Rib Fest, Andersonville Midsummer Street Festival, Pride Fest Chicago, and Northalsted Market Days.
Laura B continues to thrive using her musical expertise and shows no sign of slowing any time soon. This Queen Bee is sticking around for good!
Born in Mexico City, but raised in the northwest side of Chicago IL. Julio Gomez also known as D.j. X-tasy Had a passion for music since the age of eight. When he saw that set of turntables and mixer inside his brothers room, he was just amazed what those things can do to two songs. His first gig was at his 8th Grade luncheon. At that moment he knew this is something he really wanted to do. His ability of mixing almost every type of music genre and decade has given him the opportunity to rock different crowds in the city of Chicago.
It’s UltraBeat’s mission to ensure the audience has the time of their lives the UltraBeat way! The wildly entertaining group applies a unique approach where they deliver high-energy dance remix multi-song medleys to ensure there is a continuous flow of music on stage.
UltraBeat purposely infuse every performance with the best selections of power pop dance songs from the biggest artists of today such as The Weeknd, Dua Lipa, Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Rihanna, Lizzo, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Usher, Kesha, and many more like them.
To understand where Betty Who currently stands in her career, it’s best to imagine her as she often stood as a kid: solo, in front of the bedroom mirror, belting out hits, dancing like everyone’s watching. Because as the Australian pop queen walked away from her record deal and in to her first independent album, she had a single mandate: “I am going to be the most me I can be.” That is, in part, why her third full-length statement is simply called Betty. It’s pure her: a brilliant swirl of pop—’80s, Y2K, and hyper-modern strains—that encompasses everything from intimate artful fare to darkly sexy bangers to full-on wedding reception shout-alongs. What’s more, these are songs about grown-woman emotions delivered by someone who rediscovered the drive and verve that fueled her rise through music in the first place. As Betty says, “It all came back to joy.”
There’s a reason Betty was tapped to remake the Queer Eye theme song for the uplifting series’ second season. It’s the same reason she’s soundtracked Pitch Perfect and made the Glee cast swoon, and that a certain legendary flash mob proposal video went viral to the tune of her 2012 debut single “Somebody Loves You.” Joy has always been in the music, but for Betty, her twelfth feeling had faded. “I didn’t understand how damaging it was to feel like I was never living up to expectation,” she says of her time on a major label. “When you’re in the middle of it, you think it’s driving you. When I came out the other side, I realized, no, I was devastated.” She wanted to handpick her team, sink or swim by her own choices, and share music while it’s fresh. With Betty, she did all of that and made an album that, as she puts it, “I’m more proud of than I could possibly say.”
The world got a taste of that with Betty’s first independent single “Ignore Me,” an uplifting ode to moving on set to warm, indie-tinged electropop. Likewise, synth-streaked dance cut “I Remember” takes on something sad—the dissonance that can bubble up in a relationship—and finds the sweetness there as Betty coos, “I don’t want perfect, I want you.” Our heroine not only split from her label in 2017, she got engaged, and the thrill of realizing you could spend your life with someone rings out on “Marry Me.” The song’s exuberance was inspired by the unabashed pop (namely Katy Perry) Betty loved as a teen. Meanwhile, the vintage JT-evoking “All This Woman” addresses a would-be lover but is really about Betty’s acceptance of her own body: “This is me saying to the man or woman I’m standing opposite, ‘This is what I want and you’re crazy if you don’t want it too.’”
These songs spilled out with a similar assuredness—among them, early teaser “Taste,” which Betty has described as “a little rock ‘n’ roll with just a touch of vampire fetish,” and Betty’s first official single, the achingly up-close, acoustic-powered “Between You & Me.” The process began in sessions between runs of her famously vibrant, intensely choreographed tour. She’d planned to write more when she came off the road, but instead realized she already had an album’s worth of songs she adored. So rather than iron them out in high-profile studios around Los Angeles, she absconded to a rental in Palm Springs with her two of her best friends, artist/producer Pretty Sister and decade-long collaborator Peter Thomas. They finished Betty in 10 days between shared meals and streaming sunshine. “It was one of the best times of my life,” recalls Betty. “I swear I’ll never make a record any other way.”
But that setting conjures the beginning of Betty Who, when the woman born Jessica Newham studied cello at Berklee during the week, then took the first train out to Providence so she could spend all weekend inventing her sound at classmate Peter’s family home. And that hustle itself mimics a theme of Betty’s childhood in Sydney: while her classical training began at age 4, she devoted every free second to Britney, Christina, *NSYNC, and MJ. The voices, the moves, the lyrics, the spectacle—she ate it all up, especially that feeling the best pop gives you: “When you hear it,” says Betty, “and go, ‘Oh my God, you literally wrote this about me.’ I’ve wanted to make music like that ever since.” In that spirit, Betty gives us what we need most right now: an excuse to dance in the mirror, license to trust our instinct, and knowledge that joy is never too far away.
VINCINT is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known as a finalist on the first season of the singing competition The Four. He released his debut album, There Will Be Tears on June 11, 2021.
Vincint was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father was a gospel singer in a group called the Christ United Gospel Singers, and Vincint began singing at age 5. He was shy about singing as a child, but his father took him to audition for an all-boys choir audition when he was seven to nurture his interest. Vincint wrote his first song when he was 12. He named Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Céline Dion, Madonna, Britney Spears, Bjork, and Regina Spektor as early inspirations.
Vincint appeared on the first season of The Four one week before the finale, where he received unanimous “yes” votes from every judge after performing “Creep” by Radiohead.
Vincint’s song, “Be Me”, was selected as the anthem of the fifth season of Queer Eye. Vincint is openly gay, and officially came out when he was 16.
Vassy, whose parents are both from Greece, was discovered by Australian Radio Station Triple J after she won song of the year. Her single “We Are Young” reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Dance Chart, making her the first Australian Artist to go No. 1 with her solo single debut release. She is a certified RIAA Platinum and Gold recording artist.
In 2014, Vassy collaborated with David Guetta and Showtek on their song “Bad”, which became 7 times double platinum and established her in the electronic dance music scene. In 2015, she collaborated with Tiësto and KSHMR on their track “Secrets”, which reigned atop the Billboard Club chart and Beatport charts, and went straight to number No. 1 in 20 countries. In 2016, she released her single “Nothing to Lose” through Musical Freedom Records, co-produced by Tiësto. The same year, she was called by Afrojack to meet at his studio during one of her trips to Amsterdam. Vassy and Afrojack ended up playing and working on different concepts, with “Lost” being the final output out of their collaboration. The song was officially released through Armada Music one year later, in 2017, together with Oliver Rosa. “Lost” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in May 2018, marking Vassy’s fourth Billboard No. 1 single.
Vassy’s music incorporates dance, reggae and soul as a base for her vocal styling. Her music has received an array of accolades, including ARIA Awards and IDMA awards. She has performed in major EDM festivals around the world, including Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Tomorrowland Belgium, Electric Zoo NY, and Stereosonic Australia.