Lion Babe Gets Ready For “Fashion Week”
Critically acclaimed New York duo LION BABE—comprised of Jillian Hervey and Lucas Goodman (Astro Raw), returns with their sassy new single “Fashion Week.” Produced by renowned DJ/songwriter Never Dull, the track arrives just in time for Fashion Week’s Fall Season; it comes hot off the heels of select dates supporting Khalid’s It’s Always Summer Somewhere Tour and collaboration with DJ Will Sass, “Zazaza.”
The pair imparts, “‘Fashion Week” is our lively, sassy soundtrack to one of our favorite times of year. We wanted to create a song that embodies ‘Fashion Week’ in full force: the outfits, the parties, the atmosphere. It’s all about confidence and owning your power.” Hervey continues, “The supermodel era was so inspiring growing up. The way they all exuded self-assurance and adventure shifted my mind as a young girl and gave us a feeling to follow.”
Since their 2012 emergence, LION BABE has redefined the independent artist trajectory, blending ’70s and ’90s R&B with forward-facing electronic production. Their debut single, “Treat Me Like Fire,” marked an immediate cultural shift—amassing 500K views on WorldStarHipHop in just three days and growing into a cornerstone record with over 42M Spotify streams and a major sync in Grand Theft Auto V. Built on the strength of that first release—the first song Hervey ever wrote—they drew early support from Disclosure, who championed the track on Gilles Peterson’s show. This ignited a lasting creative bond, leading to performances alongside the legendary UK duo in Times Square, as well as Hervey co-writing and performing on their Grammy-nominated album, Caracal.
LION BABE’s debut album, Begin, immediately positioned them as tastemakers, anchored by the Pharrell Williams-produced “Wonder Woman” and the Childish Gambino-assisted “Jump Hi” (5.6M+ views), while fan favorites like “She’s a Lady” (11.4M+ streams) and “Jungle Lady” solidified their early digital footprint. A defining shift into independence sparked a creative renaissance, led by the 30M+ streaming hit “Rockets” with subsequent projects, Cosmic Wind (2019) and Rainbow Child (2021), showcasing an evolving sonic palette with a heavy-hitting roster of collaborators including Bilal, Leikeli47, Ghostface Killah, and Trinidad James. Extending into sports culture, their 2022 hit “Harder” ft. Busta Rhymes landed in NBA 2K and was celebrated with a Barclays Center halftime performance, while their Curtis Mayfield cover of “Move On Up” served as a signature anthem for the NFL Draft. Most recently, the duo launched House of LION BABE (2024)—a bold direct-to-consumer release featuring the high-energy “Freekish” and a standout reimagining of “Hot In Herre.”
The It’s Always Summer Somewhere Tour announcement marks another milestone in LION BABE’s live legacy, spanning performances alongside Erykah Badu, Nas, Nile Rodgers, The Roots, Common, Bryson Tiller, and Alicia Keys; appearances at Coachella, Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, SXSW, Sziget, Shambhala, Essence Festival, and AFROPUNK. Renowned for their immersive, high-energy shows, the independent trailblazers have also collaborated with Mark Ronson, Jeff Bhasker, Raekwon, Snakehips, Vanessa Williams, Junglepussy, and Shermanology, highlighting their versatility and influence.
LION BABE’s reach radiates far beyond the studio. Hervey has long been a defining muse for the fashion and beauty industries—fronting MAC’s Future Forward campaign with her own signature gold eyeliner and serving as a global face for Pantene. Whether walking for The Blonds or collaborating with Michael Kors and H&M, the pair’s presence is a fixture of the fashion week circuit. Their creative DNA extends equally into the art world, where the multi-hyphenate aesthetes move seamlessly from curated performances at the Whitney and Brooklyn Museums to the global stages of amfAR.
Their music remains a mainstay of the cultural zeitgeist, with placements across HBO’s Insecure (for which they recorded the original track “Just Me”), Shrill, and And Just Like That…. A recurring presence on screen, they’ve made high-profile television appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Girls5eva, and the Today Show. Deeply committed to the communities that inspire them, LION BABE remains a vital force in LGBTQ+ and Black cultural spaces—headlining Pride festivals from Amsterdam to Los Angeles and Seattle, while championing initiatives like the Ebony Power 100 and the Black Theatre United Gala.
The cult-favorite New Yorkers enter an exciting new chapter as they continue building momentum with new music and forthcoming projects, LION BABE remains a singular, taste-defining force at the intersection of music, fashion, and contemporary culture—expanding their independent legacy while continuing to evolve on their own terms.
Photo by Jailen Gonzalez-Mattei