THEY.

Los Angeles-based duo THEY. resist straightforward classification thanks to their seamless fusion of R&B, hip-hop, rock, and pop, shaped by an eclectic array of touchstones including Nirvana, New Edition, Ed Sheeran, Taking Back Sunday, and James Brown. The pair first drew widespread attention by appearing on Zhu’s 2015 Genesis Series cut “Working for It,” which also included Skrillex. Mirroring that track’s stylistic mix, their own output sought to upend expectations across the 2017 release Nü Religion: HYENA and the 2020 project The Amanda Tape. Their third full-length, Nü Moon (2023), features guest spots from Kacey Musgraves, Bino Rideaux, and Yung Bleu.

The group was assembled by Denver producer Dante and Washington, D.C. producer/vocalist Drew Love. Each reached Los Angeles on separate timelines and pursued distinct songwriting routes: Drew contributed material for R&B artists such as Chris Brown and Jeremih, while Dante worked with will.i.am and Kelly Clarkson, earning a Grammy for his contributions to Clarkson’s “Mr. Know-It-All.” Following an unplanned encounter, the two pooled their skills and committed to forming an official act. Once the Zhu collaboration amassed millions of streams online, they issued their first EP, Nü Religion, in late 2015. The three-track set showcased dense guitar textures, atmospheric production, and a blend of hazy vocals and rapping reminiscent of the Weeknd, the-Dream, and Mind of a Genius labelmate Gallant.

In 2016 they dropped “Say When,” a pointed critique of police violence toward Black Americans that combined sharp guitar lines with Drew’s raw delivery. The brooding “Deep End” surfaced several months afterward while THEY. were touring globally alongside Bryson Tiller. Both songs landed on the duo’s first album, Nü Religion: HYENA, which surfaced in early 2017. The following year brought the singles “Thrive,” “Ain’t the Same,” and “What I Know Now” featuring Wiz Khalifa; the last of these appeared on the star-studded Fireside EP, which enlisted Jessie Reyez, Jeremih, Vic Mensa, Ty Dolla $ign, and Gallant for six cross-genre collaborations.

In 2019 THEY. joined Dillon Francis on “’Til I Die” and then released “Stop Playin.” They opened 2020 with the standalone single “Red Light Green Light,” followed by tracks such as “Count Me In” and “STCU” with Juicy J that formed part of The Amanda Tape. A reworking of “Count Me In” featuring Kiana Ledé arrived in 2021. The next year THEY. put out “Blü Moon,” “Comfortable” featuring Fana Hues, and “Lonely” featuring Bino Rideaux. The complete album Nü Moon landed in 2023, incorporating several earlier singles along with appearances from Kacey Musgraves and blackbear.