Day13n’s New Single ‘Smooth’ Challenges the Status Quo
Smooth is an alternative hip-hop track that Luke Berryman describes as “a cross between Gorillaz and Run The Jewels” which he calls “The highlight of my year so far.”
2025 was a massive year for day13n, with the release of his band Otherwoman’s debut album reaching the Aotearoa album charts for 2 consecutive weeks, and his newly registered charity Artists For Others collaborating with the likes of Mazbou Q, Jujulipps, Romi Wrights, and more, raising over $40,000 for humanitarian aid in Congo, and Palestine.
2026 is looking to be no different, with Artists For Others collaborating with JessB, Otherwoman presenting a theatrical live show complete with costumes, set design, and choreographed dance numbers, and all 3 members of the supergroup (day13n, TAMiii, and Taimana) releasing solo projects.
day13n is up first, with his third solo project Ghost Town set to release this May. The EP is a significant departure from his past two releases Entropy and \7/13\7/, exploring a poppier sound, with more traditional hip-hop flows, indie rock guitar riffs, and RnB infused vocals. Produced by Andrew Meyer, who also produced JessB’s upcoming album, the production on this EP highlights Andrew’s skills, and versatility as a musician.
The EP is preceded by its single Smooth, which tells the story of a toxic, unfaithful boyfriend, through the eyes of his partner’s confidant. Partly inspired by true events, and partly an act of catharsis, day13n hopes to encourage listeners to move away from “boys will be boys” attitudes, and begin to hold their friends accountable for their poor behaviour.
Smooth is available on all platforms now, followed by the Ghost Town EP to close out NZ Music Month on May 22nd.
Photo Credit: Lachlan Kirkwood
