Jakarta-born, Los Angeles-based rising star, Warren Hue, takes us to New York with the release of his new single “NYU.” The latest taste of Warren’s upcoming mixtape, TUNA, the track delves into the challenges of balancing a long-distance relationship with his ambitions as an artist. Highlighting the emotional tug-of-war between love and personal growth, “NYU” is produced by Warren’s right hand collaborator, Chasu. The music video was directed and edited by Warren himself and it pieces together the nostalgic moments that come with being a 22 year old in NYC.
“I wrote this song based on the independence of my significant other and how long distance has decreased the need for attention from me,” Warren shared. “NYU” was first teased on 88rising’s acclaimed project, 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE, earlier this year and quickly became a fan favorite, resonating with listeners who relate to the struggles of maintaining long-distance connections. Last night, Warren performed “NYU” live for the first time at his ongoing global event series, PARTY IN WEST, which took over Catch One in Los Angeles. During the event, Warren teased more unreleased music and was joined by special guests Tisakorean, Rich Brian, MILLI and more.
The release of “NYU” follows Warren’s viral performance of his “BLACKONBLACK FREESTYLE” on the popular hip-hop platform, On The Radar Radio. Warren became the first Indonesian artist to appear on the platform and the overwhelming response prompted Warren to give the freestyle an official release which included a music video that he shot, directed and edited himself.
Gearing towards the release of his TUNA mixtape in November, Warren’s been demonstrating his growing artistry with singles like the mid-2010 inspired “RODEO,” and the alternative hip-hop track, “SPLIT.” Earlier this year, Warren was featured on Good Morning America, detailing his journey as a pioneering Asian artist. Additionally, Warren had a critical role on the 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE album, where he collaborated with superstar rapper Offset, indie-pop artist Cuco, afro-pop star Amaarae, hip-hop legends De La Soul and more.
Warren Hue has catapulted from hometown hero to international sensation in less than two years since making his artist debut with his album, BOY OF THE YEAR, in the summer of 2022. His most conceptual project to date, BOY OF THE YEAR, which included features from tobi lou and yvngxchris, displayed Warren’s versatility and starpower. Born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia and now based in Los Angeles, the Gen Z star has run up an impressive highlight reel, including being named one of Forbes Asia 30 Under 30, all prior to turning 21. He has also been named one of “NME 100: Essential Emerging Artists” for 2022, one of the “18 Emerging Artists To Watch Out For In 2022” by Bandwagon, and one of the “25 Artists To Watch In 2022” by Ones To Watch. His biggest accolades include his recent features on the album, Hella, released earlier this year, with the music collective 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE, which brought together the industry’s biggest names, such as Offset, Rick Ross, Ghostface Killah, Busta Rhymes and more. Warren was also featured in four songs on Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi & the Legend of the Ten Rings official soundtrack and has partnered with brands like Honda, GUESS, Samsung and Microsoft. Warren made his Coachella debut during the Head in the Clouds Forever 2022 set. Last year, he performed at the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, opened for Rich Brian’s sold out arena tour (10k fans per stop) in China, and was on the line-up for both Head in the Clouds Festivals in New York and Los Angeles. This summer, he will be returning to the festival in New York. A multi-hyphenate artist, Warren draws his inspiration from niche art forms to create his ever-evolving sound. From R&B to house, electronic, alternative hip-hop and industrial genres, Warren is unafraid to explore and veer towards the unconventional, while sharing his journey of self-discovery. His latest offers, “RODEO” and “SPLIT,” along with “NYU,” detail Warren’s growing confidence as a star in the making.
