Bad Rabbits

Influenced by disco, funk, and new jack swing, Boston's Bad Rabbits emerged in the mid-2000s from the ashes of Eclectic Collective, a live-oriented ten-piece that sometimes performed as Slick Rick's backup band. Showcasing soulful lead singer Dua Boayke, Bad Rabbits built a following with their dynamic live shows and hooky, cross-pollinated sound. In 2013, they broke through with their full-length debut, American Love. Buoyed the single "We Can Roll," the album topped digital streaming R&B charts, and reached number 12 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart. More accolades followed, including taking home a 2014 Boston Music Award and nabbing slots on the Vans Warped Tour.

Around 2007, after playing together for five years as Eclectic Collective, vocalist Dua Boayke, guitarists Santi Araujo and Salim Akram, bassist Graham Masser, and drummer Sheel Dave decided to re-form with the idea that they would take a rock approach to retro R&B. After self-releasing a batch of demos in 2008, they recorded their first proper release, the seven-song Stick Up Kids EP. High-profile gigs with artists like John Legend, Common, Passion Pit, and Wu-Tang Clan followed, as well as a stint on the Vans Warped Tour.

After meeting Bay Area producer B. Lewis at one of their shows, they collaborated with him on their 2013 debut LP, American Love. Their eclectic mix of funky R&B and hard rock was a success, with the album reaching number one on digital streaming R&B charts and leading to a sold-out tour, TV appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Arsenio Hall Show, and another slot on the Vans Warped Tour. An acoustic EP titled Dusted arrived in 2014, followed in 2016 by their full-length sophomore album, American Nightmare. In 2018, Bad Rabbits returned with their third album, Mimi, featuring the single "F on the J-O-B." ~ Timothy Monger & Jason Lymangrover