Electronic Press Kit
"Jo-B Sebastian has the winning formula of a new age R&B star."
- Get Your Buzz Up
"Tropic continues to push boundaries and redefine the R&B genre, infusing it with their unique perspective and unwavering commitment to authenticity... Tropic solidifies their place as one of the music industry's most exciting and innovative acts."
- Earmilk
"Just when you start to think that a certain theme has been played out musically, an artist surprises you with yet another song that hits your heart like a Muhammad Ali Anchor Punch. Jo-B Sebastian’s Ghost has a deep and haunting beat that sets the tone for the truth his lyrics reveal."
- Artist View
Artist Information
Genre: Electro - R&B / Soul, Pop
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Influence: Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Mariah Carey, Earth, Wind & Fire
Sounds Like: MNEK, Jessie Ware, Sinead Harnett, SG Lewis
Biography
Born and raised in Hong Kong, spending his teenage years in the Philippines, and now pursuing a career as a singer/songwriter in Brooklyn, New York, Jo-B Sebastian’s musical style is as eclectic as his roots. While his grandfather was a Juilliard-trained concert conductor and violinist, Jo-B received his own informal musical education by way of raiding his parents' record collection. He fell in love with the Great American Songbook, learnt how to sing with the legends of Motown and Classic Soul, and got down with the grooves of '70s and '80s Funk and R&B.
Jo-B spent two years cultivating a music career in Manila, securing residencies at the city’s top clubs and music lounges as well as performing on radio and TV. Jo-B was a featured artist in Fete de la Musique, an annual music festival helmed by the French Embassy, as well as the Philippine International Jazz Festival two years in a row, where he shared the stage with world-renowned artists, including Grammy-Nominated Jazz musician, Gretchen Parlato. A scholarship from one of the USA's premiere Jazz Conservatories, The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, convinced Jo-B to walk away from lucrative offers in the pursuit of a deeper musical education, moving him from the tropical shores of the Philippines to the bright lights of New York City, one of the music capitals of the world.
Drawing inspiration from vocal legends like Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Luther Vandross, and an obsession with retro synths and '80s pop and new wave, Jo-B Sebastian’s own unique brand of R&B contrasts his warm, soulful vocals with slick hip-hop-inspired electronic beats.
In 2018, Jo-B joined forces with electronic music producer Phuse to form the Electro-R&B Duo Tropic. 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 was added to Spotify's 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.
With praise from publications like Earmilk and Acidstag, features on shows like HBO's The Flight Attendant and NBC's American Song Contest, upcoming tour dates, and much more music on the horizon the duo shows no sign of slowing down.
