Formed in 2018, Tropic has been taking the world by storm in the four short years the duo has been together. Composed of Hong Kong-born Filipino singer/songwriter Jo-B Sebastian and California-born producer/DJ Phuse and now based out of Brooklyn, NY, Tropic’s music is as eclectic as its roots. Tropic blends R&B textures, electronic landscapes, pop hooks, and funk rhythms, combining Phuse’s slick, luscious production and beats, with Jo-B’s heartfelt lyrics, melodies, and silky vocals. Equal parts nostalgic throwback and futuristic forward thinking, Tropic is fast becoming an unstoppable force in 2023. Their signature sound has captured the attention of critics and fans alike.
Their lead single ‘Wildest Dreams’ from their latest EP received immense support from Spotify's editorial team, being added to their New Music Friday editorial playlists in 10 countries, while ‘Alive’, also taken from the same EP, is on constant rotation on 3 Spotify editorial playlists. The ‘Wildest Dreams’ EP has amassed more than 2 million streams and counting since its release. Their recent single, 'Control', was selected by Kitsuné’s Pat Lok for his House of Jade mix for 88Rising. Placing Tropic amongst artists like Tokimonsta & Robotaki, the mix highlights the best of Asia’s up-and-comers. At the close of 2021 the Philippines’ biggest music channel, MYX, invited Tropic to perform for their MYX TRAKS Live performance series, where Tropic performed their singles 'Be the One' and 'So Good' for the channel’s 1.4 million subscribers. Tropic now finds a swiftly growing audience expanding from their homebase of New York to Taiwan, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and the Philippines, and is steadily spreading its reach every day.
No stranger to the live music circuit, Tropic has performed and headlined at some of New York City’s most popular music venues, playing sold out shows at The Knitting Factory, The Mail Room, Nublu151, Rockwood Music Hall, Pianos, and The Bowery Electric, working with promoters like MajorStage and Breaking Sound. At the close of 2019, Tropic embarked on a tour of the Philippines, playing sold out shows at 4 of the country’s top venues, expanding Tropic’s live reach outside of New York. They closed out their successful tour with a packed SoFar performance in Boston. With their audience in Asia on the rise, they are currently planning to return to Asia for a more comprehensive tour as soon as travel permits.
With praise from publications like Earmilk, Acidstag, River Beats, and The Young Folks, voiced support from the likes of Pat Lok, Lophiile, and Hotel Garuda, an upcoming EP, tour dates, and much more music on the horizon, the duo shows no sign of slowing down.
Tropic's latest single 'Missing U' is out now on all major music platforms. (View Press Release)
Born in Hong Kong, raised in Manila, and now living in the East Coast, Jo-B Sebastian’s music taste is as eclectic as his roots. Drawing inspiration from vocal legends like Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Luther Vandross, and driven by his own obsession with retro synths and ‘80s new wave and funk, Jo-B brings his own unique brand of R&B to the Tropic Table. His warm, soulful vocals and charismatic stage presence have seen him headline at international music festivals (PI Jazz Fest & Fete de la Musique), and some of New York City’s most popular music venues.
Born outside LA, Phuse learned to play piano at the same time he learned how to walk. He went on to gain the prestigious 3rd grade superlative of being the “Music Man”. After many high school/college years pondering more “academic pursuits” Phuse decided he actually had no talent or passion for anything outside music. He joined a music school (Icon Collective), dove head first into production and DJing, and has since filled clubs, house parties and festivals, like EDC, with his signature throwback, vibey sounds.
Label: self-released
Genre: Electro - R&B / Soul, Pop
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY | Manila, Philippines
Influence: Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Mariah Carey, Earth, Wind & Fire
Sounds like: Majid Jordan, Hayden James, Disclosure, MNEK, Jessie Ware, SG Lewis, Galimatias, Medasin, NAO, Mura Masa, Kaytranada
