Channel Tres

Channel Tres is a songwriter, producer, and rapper whose output as a collaborator and headlining artist has ranged from left-field pop and hip-hop to house music heavily inspired by the form’s Midwest originators. After releasing a series of acclaimed EPs that started with 2018′s Channel Tres, he’s since collaborated with SG Lewis, Robyn, Disclosure, Tinashe, and many others while remaining an in-demand presence at clubs and festivals. His first major-label EP, Real Cultural Shit, appeared in 2023, followed by songs with Diplo and Kaytranada, and the single “Walked in the Room.” His guest-filled debut album, Head Rush, arrived in 2024. Channel Tres is from California, specifically Lynwood and neighboring Compton, where he was brought up by his great-grandparents. Involved in music at a young age, he began with drums, which he played in support of his school choir. Continued interest in music and a desire to leave his comfort zone took him to college in Oklahoma, though he eventually returned to the West Coast to pursue his calling. Among his first major moves were credits for behind-the-scenes work on Bridge’s “Break the Rules” and DUCKWRTH’s An XTRA UUGLY Mixtape. Demos he recorded on his own led to a remix of Aaron Childs’ “Tangerine,” issued in February 2018. His own “Controller,” a bounding and freewheeling house track, was out two months later. It received airplay on BBC Radio 1 and Australia’s Triple J, and was included on the Channel Tres EP. Early 2019 saw Channel Tres issue the singles “Brilliant N*gga” and “Sexy Black Timberlake” ahead of the release of the EP Black Moses, which arrived later that August, with JPEGMAFIA featured on the title track. The EP I Can’t Go Outside appeared in 2020 and included features from Tyler, The Creator and Tinashe. Additionally, Channel Tres collaborated with SG Lewis and Robyn for the single “Impact,” and appeared on Disclosure’s “Lavender.” Throughout the next few years, he was featured on songs by Gus Dapperton, Flight Facilities, Duke Dumont, TOKiMONSTA, and several others. Refresh, a seven-song instrumental deep house release, appeared in 2022 with no prior promotion, shortly followed by the Acid/Ganzfeld 12” single. In 2022, Channel Tres released the tracks “Just Can’t Get Enough,” “No Limit,” and “6am,” in addition to appearing on releases by Honey Dijon, Tove Lo, and Mura Masa. The EP Real Cultural Shit (previously announced as the title of Channel Tres’ debut album) was released by RCA in 2023. The artist made guest appearances on songs by Jamie Jones, Tiga & Hudson Mohawke, Kaytranada, and others during the year, then issued “Walked in the Room” in December. The full-length Head Rush arrived in 2024, with guests including Ravyn Lenae, Thundercat, Ty Dolla $ign, Toro y Moi, and Teezo Touchdown. ~ Andy Kellman & Paul Simpson