“The only time you wear a Tuxedo is when it’s time to party.”
So said legendary West Coast player Snoop Dogg on the opening track of the Tuxedo’s
sophomore album, Tuxedo II. The blessing of the Doggfather was of special importance to
Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One, solidifying them at the forefront of the new wave of boogie
funk – one that owes as much to G-funk as P-funk. This is the territory of pre- and
post-hydraulic lowriders: a mélange of Cali boom-bap, analog synth bass and elegant-funk
that resonates with authenticity in an era where so many are faking it.

Bonding over a shared love of Parliament, Zapp and other signs in the greater funk Zodiac,
Mayer Hawthorne (Aquarius) and Jake One (Taurus), collectively known as Tuxedo, return
with their fourth studio album, Tuxedo IV.

Their first release in March of 2015 debuted at #1 on Apple Music’s RnB charts, christened
as “Dance floor catnip” by the Boston Globe, and “Pure disco-funk hot fire” by Okayplayer.
The sophomore album on Stones Throw Records was premiered with a special
performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live and dubbed as “Straight-up funk magic” by Noisey.
Tuxedo III, released in 2019, includes features from the late great MF DOOM, DāM-FunK,
Leven Kali, Benny Sings and many others.