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“Whiskey & Roses doesn’t just blur genre lines—it obliterates them entirely…This is soul music, disguised as country trap, dressed up as hip-hop…It’s the sound of country music’s future, and the future is now.” – Americana Highways “As a whole, Whiskey & Roses is a raw, genre-defying statement from Yelawolf and J. Michael Phillips—a fearless blend of Southern rock, hip-hop, outlaw country, and personal reckoning…the record never loses its pulse. This is an album built on lived experience—gritty, soulful, and unafraid to confront the ugly truth behind the glamourized myth. For Yelawolf and Phillips, breaking the rules isn’t a gimmick—it’s the only honest way forward. And with this record, they’ve forged something that’s not just bold, but lasting.” – The Soundboard “There’s a timeless, almost outlaw sensibility woven into the fabric of ‘I Swear’ that harks back to country legends, yet it’s undeniably infused with a contemporary urban edge…‘I Swear’ isn’t just a song; it’s a statement. It’s a bold declaration from two artists who refuse to be pigeonholed, who are willing to take risks and explore new creative territories. As Yelawolf and J. Michael Phillips embark on this journey with Whiskey & Roses, they are not just releasing music; they are crafting a narrative of authenticity, resilience, and the exhilarating possibilities that arise when unexpected artistic worlds collide. This collaboration is more than the sum of its parts; it’s a testament to the power of shared vision and the courage to forge an entirely new path.” – Country Music News International “‘I Swear’ by Yelawolf and J. Michael Phillips challenges country by blending it with a little rap in a way I can really appreciate…it’s a song I can’t get enough of.” – Wide Open Country “If you’re into hip-hop with a country heartbeat, [the] gritty authenticity [of ‘I Swear’] will keep you coming back for more, no question.” – HipHopDrops.com |
Los Angeles, CA – July 11, 2025 – Today, international hip-hop superstar and multi-platinum recording artist Yelawolf and rising urban country artist J. Michael Phillips have released their collaborative album, Whiskey & Roses, via Yelawolf’s independent record label, Slumerican. PRESS HERE to listen. The 10-track collection, produced by Taysty and recorded at East Iris Studios in Nashville, highlights the unique sounds of Yelawolf and J. Michael Phillips while creating a fresh, new take on country music. Whiskey & Roses – available now digitally and on limited edition vinyl – includes the previously released singles “I Swear” and “Searching For Heaven” as well as the new Yelawolf-led single “Amnesia,” which the duo has also released the official music video for today to coincide with the album’s release. PRESS HERE to watch the music video for “Amnesia,” directed by Patrick Tohill (Jelly Roll, Jessie Murph, NF). “Whiskey & Roses has a very nostalgic sound to it,” shares Phillips. “Certain songs take you back almost to your childhood or to a familiar place that you feel as if you might’ve heard this song before, but you really can’t put your finger on it. And it doesn’t get trapped within just one genre. It’s almost as if we are creating a new genre, paving a new road, one that is yet to be traveled.” “After listening to the album, I hope the fans take away that nothing is impossible, that we all go through hard times,” he adds. “We all live the same life, we just might live it a bit differently. But if we put our truth into the music, then our fans will find truth from their life in the music and hope and understand that even when it seems everything is lost, you can make it happen if you truly believe.” “The message to me with Whiskey & Roses is simply: no apologies given. Period,” exclaims Yelawolf. “This oversaturated genre needs to be shaken up, in the best way though. I hope fans are moved forward by this project, but mostly, I hope they become J. Michael fans like I am. What he is about to do can be heard on his solo song ‘All I Ever Seen’ that closes out this record.” Whiskey & Roses is a journey through life’s ups and downs and the determination to keep pushing forward. There may be obstacles along the way, but you can become anything that you put your mind to and work towards. “Life is harsh and it’s great. It’s whiskey and roses,” explains Phillips. The two artists first introduced the project, which dares to defy genre boundaries, in May with the outlaw track “I Swear,” a soulful tale of fighting against a lifestyle of overindulgence and other’s expectations, hailed as “an instant classic.” “I Swear” carries a message of fearlessness and perseverance, a life mantra for both that can be heard throughout the new album. On “Searching For Heaven,” the pair reflect on how temptation has a way of sneaking in right before you’re about to experience a breakthrough in life, with the song’s personal lyrics stemming from their own life experiences. The R&B-tinged “Amnesia” shares the perspective of a man who gives his all to the woman he loves, only for her to forget all his efforts and move on. Whiskey & Roses also features a guest spot from longtime friend Struggle Jennings on the track “Yay Yay Yay.” See below for full track listing. Leading up to the release of Whiskey & Roses, Yelawolf and J. Michael Phillips released the official music videos for “I Swear” and “Searching For Heaven,” also directed by Tohill, featuring a continued storyline throughout. Both videos have already amassed over 1 million views each. PRESS HERE to watch the music video for “I Swear” and PRESS HERE to watch the music video for “Searching For Heaven.” Yelawolf and J. Michael will celebrate the release of Whiskey & Roses at the House of Blues in Cleveland tonight (July 11) when they resume their tour together and showcase tracks from the album live for audiences across the country. Yelawolf’s headlining 45 Tour, also featuring support from JT Loux, first launched in April and has been selling out nightly. The 40+ date outing will continue until August 10th with upcoming stops in such cities as Harrisburg, New Haven, Albany, Cincinnati, Louisville, Wichita, Oklahoma City, Salt Lake City, Sacramento, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Sturgis, and Sioux Falls. See below for all upcoming tour dates and visit https://www.yelawolf.com/pages/tour for all ticketing details and VIP packages. Continuing a wild ride from humble beginnings in Gadsden, Alabama to the forefront of popular culture, Yelawolf certainly has a lot to say. The Nashville-based chart-topping artist, producer, entrepreneur, and Slumerican founder has consistently asserted himself as an outlier and outlaw without comparison for the last two decades. Yelawolf followed his 2011 breakthrough album Radioactive (rated a coveted “4.5-out-of-5 stars” by The Source), with the Gold-certified Love Story, which bowed at #3 on the Billboard 200 highlighted by platinum singles “Till It’s Gone” and “Best Friend” [feat. Eminem]. He’s maintained his momentum with over 15 album and EP releases including Trial By Fire, Ghetto Cowboy (spawning the platinum-certified single “You and Me”) and Mud Mouth, along with various mixtapes, collaborations, singles, and more. He has emerged as the rare artist versatile enough to work with everyone from Ed Sheeran, Travis Barker, Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Wynonna Judd to Kid Rock, Killer Mike, Raekwon, and Diplo. A$AP Rocky, Big Boi, blink-182, Eminem, Juicy J, Korn, and Tech N9ne have all sought Yelawolf out for verses and frequent collaborator Jelly Roll has even pledged his allegiance with Slumerican ink! In 2022, he dropped his full-length rock LP, Sometimes Y, with multi-GRAMMY Award-winning producer and artist Shooter Jennings. Yelawolf has built Slumerican into a worldwide subculture, merchandise empire, and successful record label, whose catalog has expanded with releases by DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia and Struggle Jennings, and his Creek Water Whiskey into a nationally distributed spirits brand. He’s also appeared on TV and in movies, including roles in The Peanut Butter Falcon and this year’s Day of Reckoning. However, in 2024, Yelawolf upped the ante with the release of his first-ever double album — War Story: Trunk Muzik 4Ever and War Story: Michael Wayne, expansively showing off his range as a rapper and songwriter. Not one to slow down, Yelawolf is already working on his next studio album, 45, with GRAMMY-winning producer Malay, who also produced the Michael Wayne album. J. Michael Phillips is quickly making a name for himself with his unique fusion of country storytelling and acoustic guitars paired with the rhythm, energy and trap-style beats of rap, amassing nearly 3 million streams since the release of his debut album, Urban Cowboy, in 2023. Growing up between Tacoma, Washington and Toledo, Ohio, where he currently resides, Phillips began writing poems in the first grade, inspired by his singer/songwriter mother, leading to the completion of his first song by the age of 13 and the start of his storytelling. J. Michael makes life music. He’s turned tragedy into success. Overcoming a rough upbringing and troubled past has led him to today, where he’s living his purpose – to touch hearts and affect lives with his music. He shares stories of a man struggling to find his way, of the ups and downs of relationships and financial hardships, with the emphasis on positive energy and never giving up. Though he spent most of his life in and out of prison, Phillips found during those years locked up that music was one of his greatest talents and escapes. He knew that if he was going to succeed in the music business, he needed to take it seriously and stop wasting his life in the streets, and that’s exactly what he did. Soon after his final prison stint and independently releasing Urban Cowboy, he signed a management deal with Edward Crowe and was introduced to Yelawolf, whose music was influential to Phillips, especially while in prison, eventually leading to a friendship and getting signed to Slumerican. J. Michael Phillips is proof that it’s never too late to turn your life around. If you truly believe in your heart and want something bad enough and work for it, nothing can stop you. Whiskey & Roses Track Listing 1. Helping Hand 2. I Swear 3. Amnesia 4. Falling 5. Honey Hole 6. Giddy Up 7. Searching For Heaven 8. Yay Yay Yay ft. Struggle Jennings 9. Big Trucks 10. All I Ever Seen Yelawolf & J. Michael Phillips – 2025 Tour Dates Friday, July 11 – Cleveland, OH @ House Of Blues – SOLD OUT Saturday, July 12 – Harrisburg, PA @ XL Live ^ Sunday, July 13 – New Haven, CT @ Toads Tuesday, July 15 – Albany, NY @ Empire Live Wednesday, July 16 – McKees Rocks, PA @ Roxian Theatre Friday, July 18 – Cadott, WI @ Rock Fest + Saturday, July 19 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Upheaval Fest + Sunday, July 20 – Cincinnati, OH @ Bogarts – SOLD OUT Tuesday, July 22 – Louisville, KY @ Old Forester’s Paristown Hall Thursday, July 24 – Fayetteville, AR @ JJ’s Live Friday, July 25 – Jefferson City, MO @ Capital Region MJ Healthcare Amphitheater Saturday, July 26 – Wichita, KS @ Cotillion Ballroom Sunday, July 27 – Oklahoma City, OK @ The Criterion Wednesday, July 30 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex Friday, August 1 – Sacramento, CA @ Channel 24 Saturday, August 2 – Rancho Mirage, CA @ The Show at Agua Caliente Sunday, August 3 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst Tuesday, August 5 – San Luis Obispo, CA @ Fremont Theater Thursday, August 7 – Santa Fe, NM @ The Bridge at Santa Fe Brewing Saturday, August 9 – Sturgis, SD @ Iron Horse Saloon Sunday, August 10 – Sioux Falls, SD @ The District
^ Low ticket warning + Yelawolf only (festival date)
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Bari Lieberman
