Join me as I explore the world of chiptune, make music, and experiment with synths and drum machines.

Raised on the South Side of Chicago, Vic rose to public awareness as a member of the eclectic hip-hop band Kids These Days and founder of the Chicago collective SAVEMONEY alongside Chance The Rapper and other local upstarts Joey Purp and Peter CottonTale. His solo debut mixtape INNANETAPE dropped in 2013, igniting immediate accolades (including a spot on the XXL Freshman cover in 2014), and a fortuitous introduction to Jay Z that led to a record deal with Roc Nation. Mensa went on to help Kanye West pen his esoteric song “Wolves” from The Life of Pablo, drop three critically acclaimed EPs (2016’s There’s A Lot Going On, 2018’s Hooligans, and 2020’s V TAPE) and his debut full length The Autobiography (2017), as well as furthering social causes in his hometown through his nonprofit SAVEMONEYSAVELIFE. In both music and his social activism, Vic challenges the American system responsible for a history of overcriminalization, racial injustice, and issues that affect the lives of people in underserved communities, while showcasing profound levels of consciousness and self-reflection.

5EPs, an anthology of all our releases from 2020. out now.
https://smarturl.it/DPs5EPs

AKlay 47 and Z Dogg Knight ToeKneeRod MarksRemarks

North/South America and Asia:
lhughes@teamwass.com
dhoffman@teamwass.com

Australia:
paul@posterchild.com.au

MANAGEMENT:
walkerandroyce@jet-mgmt.com

For Sam Walker and Gavin Royce, the question is the fundamental test of their studio output. Simple as it may sound, for this perfectionist pair it’s anything but. Their innate dance floor intuition, combined with years of experience behind the decks, drives them to create music that isn’t just playable — it’s irresistible.

First introduced by way of New York City's early-aughts dance music scene, Sam Walker and Gavin Royce first teamed up for a remix in 2011. The duo found early success on tastemaker labels like Crosstown Rebels, OFF Recordings, and Moda Black, scoring an Essential New Tune nod from Pete Tong with 2014’s “Sister.”  The indie dance and deep house sounds that informed Walker & Royce’s earliest work soon gave way to something different. Quirky accents and bouncy synths, previously deeper in the mix, leapt to the forefront, backed by a propulsive new energy. The success of their November 2015 “Bright Lights” remix was a clear indication that they were onto something.

In October 2017, Walker & Royce released their debut album Self Help on Dirtybird, which both showcased and expanded upon their now-signature sound. The guys enlisted numerous vocalists, including Green Velvet, Dances With White Girls, and Sophiegrophy, to make Self Help feel like a packed house party – while leaving no doubt about who was hosting.  Self Help was followed by further experimentation and growth. Sam and Gavin have collaborated with Claude Vonstroke, Ardalan, Chris Lake and VNSSA just to name a few as well as remixed Channel Tres, LP Giobbi, The Knocks, Justin Jay, Gorgon City, Mindchatter; and put out music on Relief, Black Book, HotBOi Records and more. Their Rave Grave EP was the inaugural release on Diplo’s house-focused imprint Higher Ground.  Continuing to push boundaries, they have launched their own label Rules Don’t Apply Records, with the ethos just as the name states…No Rules, just good music.

Walker & Royce have spent years honing in on their one-of-a-kind style, meticulously crafting the sounds they want their fans to hear in clubs, at festivals and in their headphones. The result is a cohesive, career-defining body of work that firmly places the duo at the forefront of dance music's future.

nicolioioio is following