Joey Valence & Brae

Joey Valence & Brae are an irreverent American rap duo with a sound that marries the percussion and samples-forward style of the Beastie Boys with lyrics focused on ’90s pop culture and Gen Z sensibilities. They scored a viral hit in 2021 with the infectious, retro-rap party-starter “Crank It Up” and released their full-length debut, Punk Tactics, in 2023. Joey Bertolino and Braedan Lugue met at Penn State University and bonded over a shared love of old-school hip-hop. While neither had any performance experience, Bertolino had been producing EDM music for years. Working out of Bertolino’s bedroom studio, the pair crafted their first single, “Crank It Up.” Released at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hard-hitting, fun-loving nostalgia trip hit a nerve and went viral. Just a year later, the duo were lighting up festivals and appearing on the Ellen Degeneres Show, bringing their oversized personalities to a national audience. More singles followed, including “Double Jump” and “Ready Set,” both of which appeared on the 2022 EP The Underground Sound. JVB continued to win over audiences with their adolescent energy and boisterous beats in 2023 on the full-length Punk Tactics. ~ James Christopher Monger