TOKiMONSTA is coming to the Wiltern Sept. 22, marking her first Los Angeles performance since announcing her 2016 brain surgery first reported by Pitchfork. In support of her forthcoming album Lune Rouge, which consists of songs written after her recovery, the producer also known as Jennifer Lee took Kingdom, Kami, and KingJet with her on a lengthy world tour. For two months they traveled from China to South Korea and all over the United States, ending late October in New Orleans for the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience. Lune Rouge is set to be released Oct. 4 through her own label, Young Arts Records.
In February, TOKiMONSTA dropped a single with Yuna titled “Don’t Call Me”, according to Consequence Of Sound. She subsequently followed up with “NO WAY”, including features from Joey Purp, Isaiah Rashad, and IO Echo. Then came “Bibimbap”. The album also comes with the refreshing track “We Love”, a dynamic, mesmerizing single featuring MNDR.
TOKiMONSTA’s name derives from Korean and hip-hop: Toki means “rabbit” and monsta is a hip-hop hyperbolic term, according to her Spotify biographical page. Her beats are unparalleled in the music scene, her eclectic and engaging sound rivaling Flying Lotus and Daedelus. But Lee is one of few asian female artists flexing their wings right now in a genre that has always been heavily male dominated.
Breaking glass ceilings by becoming the first female signed to FlyLo’s Brainfeeder label in 2010, Lee released her debut album that year titled Midnight Menu. She was named one of the top 5 lady DJ’s in Los Angeles via LA Weekly that year as well. In 2011, she released the EP Creature Dreams through Brainfeeder records, to favorable reviews. In 2012 she released a collaborative album under the name Analogue Monsta. In 2013 she released her second album, Half Shadows, through Ultra Records.
In 2014, she released the EP Desiderium on Young Art Records, which is her own record label. In 2016 she followed up with Fovere, all while doing side projects with lovely singer Gavin Turek and putting out a Lil Uzi Vert remix. Lee was diagnosed with Moyamoya disease at the end of 2015 and underwent the first of two surgeries in January 2016, reported Pitchfork. Following the surgery, Lee lost her ability to speak and create music, having to learn everything over again, including learning how to walk and talk.
Who: TOKiMONSTA with Kingdom, Kami, KingJet
When: Friday, September 22, 2017
Where: The Wiltern
3790 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90010
Price: $22-$25
Time: 8:00pm
Tickets can be purchased here.
2 tickets can be won through a DoLA sweepstakes here.
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