Roo AOTD #9 Joey Valence & Brae

By Daniel Karasek | February 11, 2025

All aboard the hype train for Bonnaroo 2025! Only 121 days until we are all on the Farm again, can you believe it? It’s coming up fast and we can’t wait to be dancing with all of you at Bonnaroo! Today’s Artist of the Day is the one and only Joey Valence & Brae. Learn more about the artist below. Don’t forget to check out all of our artist spotlights! Thank you for reading these posts!

Artist Biography

Joey Valence & Brae are not your typical hip-hop duo. Emerging from State College, Pennsylvania, the pair has built a sound that’s as unpredictable as it is exhilarating. Comprising Joseph Bertolino (Joey Valence) and Braedan Lugue (Brae), their story begins not in a studio, but in a dorm room at Pennsylvania State University. It was there that they began blending elements of alternative hip-hop, rap rock, and nerdcore, creating a sound that was part ‘90s nostalgia, part forward-thinking innovation.

Their breakout moment came in 2022 with the release of “Punk Tactics.” The track quickly gained viral attention, not just for its catchy flow and gritty beats, but for its unique visual accompaniment: a music video shot entirely on a Nintendo DSi. This kind of creative ingenuity quickly became the hallmark of their brand—music that wasn’t just about the sound but about an experience, blending the worlds of video games, rap, and an era-defining culture.

Fast forward to 2024, and Joey Valence & Brae are ready to level up again. With their sophomore album No Hands, they not only stormed the U.S. charts, but also solidified their place in the music scene. Featuring high-profile collaborations with artists like Z-Trip, Terror Reid, and Danny Brown, No Hands combines hard-hitting rap with glitchy, genre-defying beats, creating a sound that thrives in the intersection of classic hip-hop and modern sensibilities. Singles like “The Baddest” and “Omnitrix” took over platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok, cementing their growing fanbase.

Their high-energy performances are just as compelling as their music. Whether they’re headlining festivals like Aftershock or joining forces with The Interrupters on Sum 41’s final tour, Joey Valence & Brae’s live shows are a frenzy of beats, bars, and crowd interaction that leave audiences buzzing. They’ve made it clear: they’re here to stay, reshaping hip-hop’s landscape with every beat drop and rhyme.

This is the new era of rap: bold, inventive, and ready to take over. Joey Valence & Brae aren’t just riding the wave—they’re creating it.