— Southern superstar in the making Kari Faux releases her 5th official project and first since 2020, REAL B*TCHES DON’T DIE!
Little Rock, Arkansas’ own multidimensional artist Kari Faux releases REAL B*TCHES DON’T DIE! via drink sum wtr. Cascading across 13-tracks, the album pays homage to Kari’s Southern origins and includes features from legendary acts like the late Gangsta Boo (Three 6 Mafia), Mississippi’s Big K.R.I.T., Devin the Dude, Jazz Cartier and TheMIND. REAL B*TCHES DON’T DIE! was predominantly produced by Kari’s partner and Grammy Award winning artist Phoelix, with additional credits from 2forwOyNE and Park Ave. REAL B*TCHES DON’T DIE! is available for pre-order on vinyl.
Next week, Faux is set to support Big Boi for a string of dates beginning in Philadelphia on May 29th, before heading to Brooklyn on May 30th and Washington, D.C. on June 1st. Kari will also be performing at Summerfest in Milwaukee on June 28th along with her home state of Arkansas on September 22nd at Format Festival alongside Digable Planets, LCD Soundsystem, Little Simz, Jamie XX and more.
Though the heart of the project’s sound is steeped in the Arkansas native’s much-needed return to the South after some time in Los Angeles, the album transcends regionality and bends genres. The synergy between Faux and Phoelix is potent. REAL B*TCHES DON’T DIE! is infused with gospel, hip-hop, and R&B elements and accented by humorous and affirming transitions. To fully immerse herself in the creative process, Faux spent a year in self-induced isolation where she avoided consuming newly released music — reaching back in time to enhance her unique musical style. REAL B*TCHES DON’T DIE! is a sonic testimony to Faux’s growth. In her most original work to date, she’s confident, assured, and still moving at her own pace. Her spirit shines as she exemplifies what it means to be an underdog who always places the highest bet on themselves.
REAL B*TCHES DON’T DIE! includes the previously released singles “MAKE A WISH,” “TURNIN’ HEADS” featuring the aforementioned Big K.R.I.T. and “ME FIRST,” which premiered on COLORS last year and arrived with cheeky and meta visuals directed by Cam Robert. “ME FIRST” also arrived with a remix by the producer, rapper, DJ and singer UNIIQU3, who brought some East Coast flavor to the track with her Jersey Club mix. Earlier this year, Kari sat with PAPER to discuss “ME FIRST,” falling in love with making music again and the southern rappers who came before her.
Arriving on the scene in 2014 with her mixtape Laugh Now, Die Later, Kari has created her own lane of southern rap infused with psych, gospel, pop and hip hop weaved with her thoughtful and playful lyrics. In 2020, Kari released her praised mixtape Lowkey Superstar, which features the stand out tracks “LOOK AT THAT” and “CHATTIN’ SHIT.” The following year, Kari dropped Lowkey Superstar Deluxe, which Pitchfork described as a “fun-forward mixtape exud[ing] color and energy“ and enlisted assistance from friends and artists like Baby Tate, Smino, JID, Jazz Cartier, and Deante’ Hitchcock.
Listen to REAL B*TCHES DON’T DIE! above, see upcoming live dates and album details below, and check out Kari’s merch at her official website.
Upcoming Live Dates:
* = supporting Big Boi
5/29 – Philadelphia, PA @ Brooklyn Bowl*
5/30 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bowl*
6/1 – Washington, D.C. @ The Bullpen*
6/28 – Milwaukee, MI @ Summerfest (UScellular Connection Stage)
9/22 – Bentonville, AR @ Format Festival
Kari Faux
REAL B*TCHES DON’T DIE!
drink sum wtr
May 26th, 2023
1. REAL B*TCHES DON’T DIE!
2. H-TOWN
3. ME FIRST
4. GEMINI+
5. TURNIN’ HEADS (feat. Big K.R.I.T.)
6. MONEY ANGELS (feat. Jazz Cartier)
7. DOG (feat. Devin the Dude)
8. WHITE CAPRICE (feat. Gangsta Boo)
9. MAKE A WISH
10. THANK YOU!
11. PAST LIFE (feat. Phoelix & TheMIND)
12. DRUNK WORDS, SOBER THOUGHTS
13. BORROWED TIME