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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LION BABE AND WILL SASS UNITE FOR NEW SUMMER ANTHEM "ZaZaZa" OUT JUNE 19
Fresh off select dates supporting Khalid's It's Always Summer Somewhere Tour, the acclaimed duo ushers in a vibrant new era with their latest collaboration
PRIVATE LISTEN HERE New York, NY – (June 18, 2026) – Critically acclaimed New York duo LION BABE—comprised of Jillian Hervey and Lucas Goodman (Astro Raw)—return with their infectious new single "ZaZaZa,"a collaboration with fast-rising electronic producer, songwriter, and DJ Will Sass, arriving June 19. Blending LION BABE's signature soulful futurism with Sass's genre-blurring dance-pop production, the track arrives on the heels of a busy stretch for the duo, including the successful completion of their sold-out An Evening with LION BABE tour and a series of East Coast support dates on 7x Grammy-nominated superstar Khalid's It's Always Summer Somewhere Tour.
“‘ZaZaZa’ with Will Sass is our shared summer record, perfect for hot steamy nights and hang times with friends. We’ve had a blast creating music with Will and tapping into his blossoming career and energy. ‘ZaZaZa’ is freedom of expression, a party starter, and we hope the phrase makes its way into many people’s lives.” – LION BABE
Since their 2012 emergence, LION BABE has redefined the independent artist trajectory, blending ’70s and ’90s R&B with forward-facing electronic production. Their debut single, “Treat Me Like Fire,” marked an immediate cultural shift—amassing 500K views on WorldStarHipHop in just three days and growing into a cornerstone record with over 42M Spotify streams and a major sync in Grand Theft Auto V. Built on the strength of that first release—the first song Hervey ever wrote—they drew early support from Disclosure, who championed the track on Gilles Peterson’s show. This ignited a lasting creative bond, leading to performances alongside the legendary UK duo in Times Square, as well as Hervey co-writing and performing on their Grammy-nominated album, Caracal.
LION BABE’s debut album, Begin, immediately positioned them as tastemakers, anchored by the Pharrell Williams-produced “Wonder Woman” and the Childish Gambino-assisted “Jump Hi”(5.6M+ views), while fan favorites like “She’s a Lady” (11.4M+ streams) and “Jungle Lady” solidified their early digital footprint. A defining shift into independence sparked a creative renaissance, led by the 30M+ streaming hit “Rockets” with subsequent projects, Cosmic Wind (2019) and Rainbow Child (2021), showcasing an evolving sonic palette with a heavy-hitting roster of collaborators including Bilal, Leikeli47, Ghostface Killah, and Trinidad James. Extending into sports culture, their 2022 hit “Harder” ft. Busta Rhymes landed in NBA 2K and was celebrated with a Barclays Center halftime performance, while their Curtis Mayfield cover of “Move On Up” served as a signature anthem for the NFL Draft. Most recently, the duo launched House of LION BABE (2024)—a bold direct-to-consumer release featuring the high-energy “Freekish” and a standout reimagining of “Hot In Herre.”
The It's Always Summer Somewhere Tour announcement marks another milestone in LION BABE’s live legacy, spanning performances alongside Erykah Badu, Nas, Nile Rodgers, The Roots, Common, Bryson Tiller, and Alicia Keys; appearances at Coachella, Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, SXSW, Sziget, Shambhala, Essence Festival, and AFROPUNK. Renowned for their immersive, high-energy shows, the independent trailblazers have also collaborated with Mark Ronson, Jeff Bhasker, Raekwon, Snakehips, Vanessa Williams, Junglepussy, and Shermanology, highlighting their versatility and influence.
LION BABE’s reach radiates far beyond the studio. Hervey has long been a defining muse for the fashion and beauty industries—fronting MAC’s Future Forward campaign with her own signature gold eyeliner and serving as a global face for Pantene. Whether walking for The Blonds or collaborating with Michael Kors and H&M, the pair's presence is a fixture of the fashion week circuit. Their creative DNA extends equally into the art world, where the multi-hyphenate aesthetes move seamlessly from curated performances at the Whitney and Brooklyn Museums to the global stages of amfAR.
Their music remains a mainstay of the cultural zeitgeist, with placements across HBO’s Insecure (for which they recorded the original track “Just Me”), Shrill, and And Just Like That…. A recurring presence on screen, they’ve made high-profile television appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Girls5eva, and the Today Show. Deeply committed to the communities that inspire them,LION BABE remains a vital force in LGBTQ+ and Black cultural spaces—headlining Pride festivals from Amsterdam to Los Angeles and Seattle, while championing initiatives like the Ebony Power 100 and the Black Theatre United Gala.
New York City-based producer and DJ Will Sass has quickly emerged as one of dance music's most exciting new voices. Known for his polished dance-pop productions and energetic house sets, Sass has earned multiple Billboard successes, including the #1 Dance Mix Show Airplay hit "Into The Blue" featuring Kamille and the chart-topping "What If It Takes You Away" with Malou. His growing catalog also includes notable collaborations with Aluna and Timbaland ("Houseboy") and UK dance-pop duo piri & tommy ("Love Bug"). A fixture of New York's club scene, Sass continues to build momentum through a series of acclaimed releases, including his conceptual EP project EP2: Electronik, further establishing himself as a rising force in global dance music.
Fresh off their An Evening with LION BABE tour, recent support dates with Khalid, and with "ZaZaZa" alongside Will Sass arriving June 19, the cult-favorite New Yorkers enter an exciting new chapter. As they continue building momentum with new music and forthcoming projects, LION BABE remains a singular, taste-defining force at the intersection of music, fashion, and contemporary culture—expanding their independent legacy while continuing to evolve on their own terms.
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