Three-time Grammy-nominated artist and founding member of The Pharcyde, Bootie Brown, returns with his latest solo single, ‘2 Get 2 U’, a smooth, character-driven hip-hop track that explores the lengths men will go to when trying to capture someone’s attention.
Born Romye Robinson, Brown has spent decades carving out a singular place within alternative hip-hop. As a founding member of The Pharcyde, he helped establish the group’s playful, off-kilter approach to the genre, contributing to seminal tracks including ‘Passin’ Me By’ and ‘Drop’. His career has continued to move beyond conventional hip-hop boundaries, with collaborations spanning a broad musical spectrum, most notably through his work with Gorillaz on tracks including ‘Dirty Harry’ and ‘New Gold’.
On ‘2 Get 2 U’, Brown channels that distinctive personality into a track centred on attraction, pursuit and the sometimes elaborate methods people use when attempting to win someone over. Relaxed in delivery but rich in character, the single finds Brown approaching its subject with the humour and observational quality that have long been central to his work.
“What ‘2 Get 2 U’ means to me is the various ways men will try to seduce a woman,” Brown explains.
The track also reflects Brown’s ongoing commitment to discovering and supporting emerging creative talent. Through his OrganicBeat Session show on PharcydeTV, Brown regularly provides a platform for beatmakers and producers, creating a space where new sounds and ideas can reach a wider audience. It was through the show that he first encountered the production of Les Lockheart.
“I host a show called OrganicBeat Session on PharcydeTV, and Les Lockheart is one of many talented beatmakers who are showcased on the stream,” Brown shares. “I heard this track and knew I could create something special with it. I have been working on it for some time now, and it’s ready for me to share with the people.”
That connection provides the foundation for ‘2 Get 2 U’, pairing Lockheart’s production with Brown’s seasoned delivery and instinct for storytelling. The result feels both contemporary and unmistakably his, drawing on the individuality that established his reputation while embracing the new collaborators and sounds continuing to shape his creative direction.
The release arrives during another busy period for Brown, who is currently touring with Gorillaz ahead of the group’s US leg. Away from his own music, his creative output continues to extend across music, fashion and media. Alongside PharcydeTV, Brown is co-owner of Store No 242, while his wider collaborative catalogue includes work such as Africa Express track ‘Otim Hop’ and his latest collaboration with Nubiyan Twist on ‘Red Herring’.
More than three decades into a career that has seen him help redefine the possibilities of alternative hip-hop, Brown continues to approach music with an appetite for experimentation, collaboration and unexpected ideas. ‘2 Get 2 U’ captures that spirit in a laid-back and charismatic form, offering another snapshot of an artist whose creative identity remains as individual as ever.
