South Florida rapper PlayThatBoiZay has just unleashed his highly anticipated new project,VIP, out now via Loma Vista Recordings. Alongside his project's release, Zay has also shared the music video for "YOO," his hard-hitting collaboration with JPEGMAFIA. the journey to VIP has been a tumultuous one, starting as a collaboration between Zay and U.K. producer Kwes Darko in 2020, but delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and a near-fatal car accident in May 2021 that left Zay with serious injuries and months of recovery. Now, after an extensive healing process, Zay has returned stronger than ever with a fresh perspective and a refined sound.
(PlayThatBoiZai by Aaron Jackson)
VIP showcases PlayThatBoiZay's signature gritty voice and ear for industrial, bass-heavy production, creating a sound that's both singular and unpredictable. The album features an impressive lineup of collaborators, including A$AP Rocky, Denzel Curry, JPEGMAFIA, Kenny Mason, and Mike Dimes. The project dives deep into Zay's personal experiences, especially the pain of being dumped and subsequently targeted on social media. “I was frustrated, betrayed, and learned to use the microphone to let out those emotions,” Zay explains. The result is VIP, a raw and energetic body of work that blends distorted beats with introspective lyrics, offering listeners a glimpse into Zay’s world of pain and hedonism.
VIP includes previously released singles like "LIL JIT" featuring Kenny Mason, "MOOD SWING" with Mike Dimes, "TEMPLE RUN," and "HOODLUMZ" featuring Denzel Curry and A$AP Rocky. "MOOD SWINGS" originally debuted on the The Mischievous Cypher with On The Radar, and South Vol. 2, released last month. The track's success has polished Zay's popularity, earning him over 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
PlayThatBoiZay's journey in music began with the encouragement of his Carol City High School classmate, Denzel Curry, in 2015. A chance encounter at The Cheesecake Factory during Zay's senior year marked the start of their creative partnership. Since then, Zay has been featured on tracks like "P.A.T" from Curry's 2019 project ZUU and the 2021 single "Bad Luck." He also joined Curry on his 2022 North American tour, where he performed alongside AG Club and redveil.
Zay has continued to collaborate with Denzel Curry, releasing "WOO" last year with their longtime collaborator Ronny J, paying homage to the sound that defined South Florida rap in the 2010s. Zay is currently on the road with Curry for the Grey Day Tour, which includes stops at major venues like the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Prudential Center in Newark, and TD Garden in Boston. After the tour, Zay will perform at Rolling Loud Miami in December, solidifying his place as a force in the rap scene.
Listen to VIP and watch the music video for "YOO" below. Stay tuned for more from PlayThatBoiZay as he continues to rise in the industry.
Listen to VIP here: VIP
Grey Day Tour Dates:
8/27 - Sacramento, CA @ Golden 1 Center
8/28 - San Francisco, CA @ Chase Center
8/30 - San Diego, CA @ Pechanga Arena San Diego
9/3 - Los Angeles, CA @ Crypto.com Arena
9/4 - Anaheim, CA @ Honda Center
9/6 - Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Grand Garden Arena
9/7 - Phoenix, AZ @ Footprint Center
9/8 - Phoenix, AZ @ Footprint Center
9/10 - Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater
9/11 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Paycom Center
9/15 - Raleigh, NC @ PNC Arena
9/17 - Baltimore, MD @ CFG Bank Arena
9/19 - Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
9/20 - Elmont, NY @ UBS Arena
9/21 - Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center
9/23 - Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
9/24 - Montréal, QC @ Place Bell
9/25 - Boston, MA @ TD Garden
9/27 - Cleveland, OH @ Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
9/28 - Buffalo, NY @ KeyBank Center
9/29 - Pittsburgh, PA @ PPG Paints Arena
10/1 - Cincinnati, OH @ Heritage Bank Center
10/2 - Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
10/4 - Indianapolis, IN @ Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Bankers Life Arena)
10/5 - Kansas City, MO @ T-Mobile Center
10/6 - St. Louis, MO @ Enterprise Center
10/8 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
10/9 - Milwaukee, WI @ Fiserv Forum
10/10 - Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center
10/11 - Lincoln, NE @ Pinnacle Bank Arena
Upcoming Live Dates:
12/14 - Miami, FL @ Rolling Loud
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