YawnyBlew and amir. (both Black and proudly queer) have teamed up with ALIBI Music to release Bouncy ‘n’ Pretty, a vibrant fusion of hip-hop, pop, dance, R&B, and drill that highlights their bold artistic vision. The project celebrates marginalized voices and explores themes like queer love, body positivity, and self-empowerment.
The Duo came together in 2021. amir is a world-renowned photographer who has collaborated with Iniko, and CupcakKe. He’s also had photos featured in Teen Vogue and GQ France. YawnyBlew is a Grammy and NME-nominated artist, who is known for his sync and licensing. He has worked with Queer as Folk and Chucky, as well as NFL on FOX and season 3 of Empire. Using a wide range of skills, they released the debut album DREAM BIG; an innovative collection that blends genres along with sync and licensing to enhance the listening experience.
The new album builds on DREAMBIIG, which was crafted for sync and licensing. It was also inspired by trailblazers like Lizzo, and the impactful music supervision of shows like Broad City and Insecure. Ahead of today’s release, I Love Us got to chat with with YawnyBlew and amir. to discuss their creative process, identity, and hopes for the album.
I Love Us (ILU): What made you want to work with each other?
YawnyBlew: I had amir. shortlisted for his photography work. He had photographed several plus-sized male models I followed, and I wanted to collaborate with him. Coincidentally, I had featured an artist on one of my playlists that he had produced for, which led to a conversation, and things took off from there.
amir.: Yawny and I met on Instagram back in 2021 and collaborated on two remixes of his single “R.I.P.” It was my first time doing remixes for an artist. When we met in person in 2022, we realized how much we had in common as Black queer men who grew up in NYC in the late ’90s and early 2000s. We connected instantly and have been creating together ever since.
ILU: What is your creative process when making music?
YawnyBlew: We try to create as much space as possible for ideas and fun. Typically, we just hang out in the studio and spitball ideas until something sticks. This is our second project together, but the first one was created remotely since we didn’t originally live in the same city. For Bouncy ‘n’ Pretty, we got to work in person, which made the process even more fun and streamlined.
amir.: We really allow ourselves to have fun and not overthink the process. I often start with a mumble melody, and Yawny is amazing with song structure. We usually bounce ideas back and forth and build out the song from there. Working in person this time was a game-changer.
ILU: How does your identity drive you forward in the music you make?
YawnyBlew: I spent a long time helping tell other artists’ stories—ones that seldom looked like me or came from where I’m from. Occasionally, a song I made for myself or rooted in my identity would propel my career forward, which showed me my voice was valid and needed. Ever since then, I’ve made it my mission to create music that is unapologetically rooted in who I am and people like me. So many marginalized voices go unheard, and I want to change that.
amir.: I like to think of the music I make as journal entries or mini check-ins with myself. I see versions of myself in each song. I pull from soundscapes and textures that inspire me in the moment, past and present. Music allows me to be the artist I always wished I had growing up.
ILU: Can you tell me more about your new album, Bouncy ‘n’ Pretty?
YawnyBlew: This album is a continuation of our first joint project, DREAMBIIG. The goal there was to give ourselves permission to sing the songs we wanted to sing and allow our identities to shine through. When ALIBI Music approached us to create something similar for sync, it was incredibly inspiring. Knowing the kinds of stories we could potentially be part of fueled our creativity even further. I loved the music direction on projects like Insecure, Black Panther, and Barbie, so those influences guided us.
amir.: After finishing DREAMBIIG, we jumped right back into the studio. Revisiting a few b-sides that didn’t make the first album allowed us to give those songs new life while also creating with the intention of placing these tracks in film and TV. The fun we had during the process shines through in the music.
ILU: What do you hope fans take away from your music?
YawnyBlew: I hope people feel uplifted, motivated, and seen. I want to inspire everyone to feel like a baddie.
amir.: I hope our fans leave feeling emboldened to go for their dreams and always trust their ideas.
ILU: What can we expect to see from you in the future?
YawnyBlew: We’re always working on new music. I hope to release some solo work in 2025, do more shows, and collaborate on larger projects.
amir.: Yawny and I are always creating. I’m excited to drop some new solo material early next year and collaborate on a few exciting projects I’ve got in the works.
YawnyBlew and amir. have poured their heart and soul into every track, creating music that uplifts and inspires. Don’t miss out on this project—stream Bouncy ‘n’ Pretty now on all major platforms!
Cover photo: YawnyBlew and amir. Discuss Their New Album Release in Exclusive Interview / Photo courtesy of YawnyBlew and amir.
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