YawnyBlew and Je’Vel on working with Xunami Muse, Making Music, and more!
Brooklyn based musicians YawnyBlew and Je’Vel chat with us about working with RuPaul’s Drag Race star Xunami Muse, making music, and more!
YawnyBlew is no stranger to producing and writing music, along with so much more creative experience. YawnyBlew is a Grammy & NME-nominated creative, and, for the last two decades, has been a dynamic force in the music industry, celebrated for his work in songwriting, artist development, creative direction, and advocacy. His genre-blurring sound pairs infectious hooks with bold storytelling, drawing inspiration from artists like Pharrell Williams, Missy Elliott, and Frank Ocean. Before making his official debut in 2020, YawnyBlew honed his craft behind the scenes, working under industry giants like Rodney Jerkins and Pharrell Williams, and has also landed sync-licensing deals for major television and film projects such as Empire, Star, and The Note.
Je’Vel is also a multifaceted creative, with a lengthy discography spanning back to his debut album “Luv-Ed” in 2016 as well as an EP, another full length album, and a few singles since. He’s a creative director and producer with an extraordinary resume, including time as co-lead of the Met Gala team at just 27. Hailing from St. Lucia, Je’Vel brings bold vision and diasporic excellence to every frame, styling, and song that he creates. His vocal ability is apparent on every track that his voice touches, with a rich, smooth, and velvety texture. His skillset as a musician is extremely evident with everything he makes, creating soundscapes that take you exactly where he wants you as a listener to go.
They released a joint track this past February titled “Kings,” bringing their lyrical prowess and vocal swagger together eloquently onto a single track. This song makes you feel their words and power in your soul, a true power link up that really sets the tone to who they are as artists. Inspirational and introspective with finesse, they are two artists that define black excellence within their music.
They also both recently helped produce and feature on RuPaul’s Drag Race star Xunami Muse’s debut album “NDA: New Drag Age,” one of the best albums I’ve heard from a Drag Race franchise queen. The album speaks for itself, a true must listen for 2025, but don’t just take my word for it, check out what YawnyBlew and Je’Vel have to say about working on it below!
Bryce: I am ecstatic to be talking to you both about your work together. Thanks for taking the time to speak with me! How are y’all feeling so far this year?
YawnyBlew: This year is easily one of my favorites creatively, professionally, and personally. I’m feeling really good and aligned. It’s a milestone year for YawnyBlew.
Je’Vel: This year has been filled with incredible full circles and growth in all areas of my life as well. I feel like I’m on the verge of something monumental every day which invigorates me and keeps me motivated.
Bryce: What does a studio session between you both usually look like?
YawnyBlew: Je’Vel and I are both very silly and very creative, so sessions are always a mix of those two things. I tend to man the boards as our engineer and producer, and I enjoy being able to let Je’Vel and whoever else is in the room run wild with ideas that I can grab and piece together through a unifying lens. It’s how we made the bulk of Xunami’s album and all of our other collaborations.
Je’Vel: Working together is pure controlled chaos in the best way possible. Yawny often says we get to play together and that’s the best description. We both genuinely love music and think of it as one idea expands into 10, then another, and we chisel away until we arrive at a final product. I’m also known to break into full dance when the piece is hitting.
Bryce: Back in January, you both collaborated on a song titled “Kings” with some awesome visuals and heavy lyrical and vocal swagger. How did this track come about, and can you tell us a bit about how you came up with the idea for the music video?
YawnyBlew: Je’Vel approached me with the idea for the song and it instantly spoke to me. As a Black queer man, it feels really important to showcase ourselves as royalty, as leaders, as brothers. So much of media and society works to divide us or position us as opposing forces, so it was nice to create something together that felt empowering and intentional. Full kudos and credit to Je’Vel for spearheading the single and having the vision for the video.
Je’Vel: Kings was birthed from a conversation with my younger cousins 20 & 25-years old who are navigating through this difficult time in history where young men are struggling mentally in staggering concerning numbers. I empathized, especially juxtaposing it to my own experience. Though they aren’t queer, looking around and seeing my experience mirrored through them especially my queerness & blackness it reminded me that though the world is hell bent on dividing, we’re more alike than we think. It truly is motivational anthem for every man but especially those of us who have been “othered.”
Bryce: You both seem to be quite the duo in the studio, having produced that track together and all of Xunami Muse’s debut album “NDA: New Drag Age.” What was it like working with an iconic queen who just recently starred on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17?
YawnyBlew: I am so appreciative to Xunami for trusting us with her debut album. Drag Race and the music from queens like Aja, Shea Couleé, and of course RuPaul herself were constant inspirations for me during my songwriting journey. I remember heading to sessions at some of my lowest points in my career blasting “Champion” to keep my spirits up. Eventually, a lot of that began to seep into my own music and led me to make projects like DREAMBIIG and Bouncy ’n’ Pretty. When I met Xu, I felt really aligned with her vision and wanted to help bring it to life, so the process was super easy and effortless. She was a sponge and really open to trying new things, which made it all really enjoyable.
Je’Vel: Xunami and I have been friends for over a decade. She saw potential in me when I was an intern at Ebony Magazine and pushed me to challenge myself which later resulted in me co-managing the Met Gala at 27-years old. I give her all credit to my success in fashion and so helping her with music in this capacity was my way of giving back. It all felt aligned, and watching my friend live out a dream from inception to the greatest drag stage was one of the highlights of my own life. I think my cheeks still hurt from smiling at sight of her on my screens.
Bryce: Y’all really produced some hits on this album. It’s full of vigor and clearly inspired by ballroom culture with modern hip-hop, R&B, house, and pop production elements. What was one of your favorite moments making this album with her?
YawnyBlew: My favorite moment by far was our session with Xunami and Aja. Aja is truly a powerhouse in every sense of the word, as is Xu. Aja came with such raw energy and personality. She showed up, wrote all her verses on the spot, and really brought an energy to the project that’s felt beyond the two songs she contributed to. “Shade” features Aja, myself, and Je’Vel and is easily my favorite song because it perfectly encapsulates the energy of this album: raw confidence, community, and talent. She hadn’t left for All Stars yet, so it was cool to hear her perspective on potentially returning to the show. Now, seeing how the season has played out for her, it’s been beautiful to watch.
Je’Vel: Xunami had one rule when we started and that was “no singing.” After working on the other rap heavy tracks, her confidence grew and she was inspired to give singing a try with our coaching. She went from “no singing” to layers harmonies in a year.
Bryce: Two songs on the album titled “It’s Giving (Cunt) – Remix” and “Shade” feature her fellow drag family members Aja and Kandy Muse, both household names in drag culture. I’ve worked in the studio with Aja before. She’s a total riot and very talented lyrically and vocally. What was it like working with these queens?
YawnyBlew: I mean, clearly Aja was a highlight for me. Kandy was really dope. I wasn’t sure what to expect because the Kandy persona is so glamorous and “power bitch,” but she was surprisingly chill and laid-back. We did two sessions, and the second one she came alone to recut some parts for the “Cunt” remix. It was the day before her set at LadyLand 2024, and I remember how razor-focused she felt. It almost felt like the session was part of her pre-show ritual. She came in, executed her verse perfectly, and had to run off to rest and prep for the next day. Seeing that quiet, focused version of her versus the one that blazed the stage at LadyLand was super cool. She’s really a star and a professional, and the level of success she has achieved makes total sense.
Je’Vel: I second what Yawny said, one session with Kandy will show you why she has amassed success. She is a professional in every sense of the word. Aja is just as magical as she appears on screen and such a delight to watch how she taps into her own musical roots.
Bryce: I think “Shade” is one of my favorite songs on the album because there’s this natural sense of swagger and “cunt” given from start to finish. Can you tell me about what went into creating this track?
YawnyBlew: “Shade” is my baby. Shoutout to producer Eric Watkins. He did a lot of work on DREAMBIIG and regularly works with folks like Dapper Dan Midas and Big Dipper. He sent me the instrumental out of the blue and my immediate thought was to hide it for myself because I was obsessed. But when we got in with Aja and Xu, I felt like I’d be committing a crime against humanity if I didn’t play it for them. Aja immediately laid down her verse and it became clear what the song needed to become. We all got our parts in over the next few weeks. The song was a lot of fun for me because I got to wear my producer hat and rebuild parts of it to accommodate all four verses. I was inspired by Missy Elliott’s “Hot” for Je’Vel’s outro production. And of course, we included that signature ballroom snare and rattle in the verses.
Bryce: I can tell you’ve both been working hard this year, together and individually, on your music. Can you give us any insight into what you both have planned next?
YawnyBlew: I started this year off with the intention of dropping a song every month. Initially, it was just a way to hold myself accountable and empty the vault, but now it’s really giving me perspective on my audience and output. I dropped a compilation EP on June 16th called Yawny & Friends Vol. 1 with the first half of this year’s releases. Now I’m focusing the rest of the year on completing and releasing my sophomore solo album. In between, I’ve got a few surprises and things I’ve written for other folks that’ll be out soon.
Je’Vel: I’m currently working on a special album that I can’t speak too much on yet, but the overall theme is queer sci-fi romance. The first single “Home To Me,” produced by rising producer Aktar from Bangladesh, is a power pop ballad which is set for July 1st.
Bryce: Are there any other musicians or producers who inspire you both within your own work?
YawnyBlew: I’m constantly inspired by creative juggernauts like Pharrell Williams, Babyface, Benny Blanco, and Jack Antonoff. I love the idea of being an artist, helping others create music, and also being a force as an executive and business entity. I’m at my best when I can fire on all cylinders, and those people keep me inspired and aware of how limitless my potential is. Sonically, artists like Cleo Sol, Solange, and Mac DeMarco have been speaking to me a ton. I do feel like I’m moving into a very reflective place creatively and plan to dig a little deeper with late summer and fall releases. For anyone curious what sad-boy Yawny sounds like, go ahead and take a lap through Midnight in Brooklyn or any of my acoustic covers.
Je’Vel: My Caribbean sister Rihanna is the symbol of the America dream for me. Then there’s Toni Braxton, Mariah Carey, Usher (who I share a birthday with), Bob Marley, Selena, Marc Anthony, Celine Dion and Beyonce to name a few for very specific reasons from musicality to complete packaging.
Bryce: To close out, I wanna know what some of your go-to restaurants are in NYC. Give me some recommendations!
YawnyBlew: I love KazuNori near Flatiron. I also really enjoy La Palapa off St. Marks. You can never really go wrong with Empanada Mama either.
Je’Vel: I’ve recently gotten into this Uruguayan place in Williamsburg called Tabaré and you can never go wrong with the taco trucks outside of Jefferson St on the L train.
Bryce: Thanks for taking the time to speak with me today! Is there anything else either of you would like to share with us as a final thought?
YawnyBlew: Always appreciative to Bear World for the continued love and support. Check out my EP Yawny & Friends Vol. 1 for a highlight of my releases this year. I’m super excited to continue putting out music and connecting with people.
Je’Vel: Do the thing you’re putting off, it doesn’t need to be perfect. Also stay up to date with me on Instagram!
Be sure to check out their socials below, give them a follow, and check out their music on all platforms!
YawnyBlew’s Links
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Je’Vel’s Links
