ENTERTAINMENT ICON VANESSA WILLIAMS DEBUTS “BOP!” FEATURING TRIXIE MATTEL & LION BABE

“BOP!” is the second track off William’s forthcoming album set for release in late August via Mellian Music / Mod Squad, LLC, and is available now on all digital streaming platforms with four accompanying, high-voltage dance remixes – LISTEN HERE.

Additionally, an exclusive music video for “BOP!” will also premiere July 26. The accompanying new video stars Williams and LION BABE, filmed in various locations around London, where Williams has been preparing for her starring role in the new musical, The Devil Wears Prada, which premieres on the West End this Fall. The playful visual brings the song’s lyrics to life with high-energy dancing that matches the track’s feel-good sentiment and infectious rhythm – WATCH HERE.

“The children need a good old bop and I’ll bring the BOP!,” Williams shares about the new song. “We made it for the `kids’ to dance to and I hope they love it.”

Produced by the 808 BEACH duo of New York City-based Bill Coleman and London-based John “J-C” Carr, and Astro Raw of LION BABE, the five-track BOP! Remixes EP oozes with buoyant confidence and vivacious verve, featuring Mattel as the commanding mistress of ceremonies alongside a poignantly personal rap by LION BABE’s Hervey.  The “BOP!” music video was produced by Vanessa Williams and Liz Curtis, Christopher Todd Hall and Mod Squad LLC.

“As Jillian’s rap talks about her getting her talent from her momma, I am tremendously flattered and was choked up with pride when I first heard it,” Williams adds.  “I’m so proud of everything she and Lucas have accomplished in their career so far and it’s so special to me to get to collaborate with her artist to artist.”

On her relationship with Mattel, Williams says, “I’ve known Trixie for years, having both been in and around the ‘Drag Race’ world and having the chance to do two seasons as judges on RuPaul’s ‘Queen of the Universe.’  She’s immensely talented as a singer and performer and this was the perfect chance for us to play together again.”

Speaking on the collaborative nature of the song, Coleman proclaims with pride, “‘BOP!’ is a runway ready, nu disco call-to-arms. It’s a loopy, danceable funk jam that gives space and groove for Vanessa, Trixie and Lion Babe’s super-catchy and engaging vocal deliveries. John `J-C’ Carr and I wanted to bring the kids what they’re asking for with a `BOP!’ mix that’s club ready, relentless with a bit of sass and meant to be played LOUD!”

“The musical bar was set high, to produce a song that would transcend time, yet its relevance be right in time,” adds veteran musician, Mel Holder, who produced and co-wrote the song with seasoned tunesmiths Kipper Jones and Chantry Johnson.

“BOP!” follows the release of Williams’ first pop recording in 15 years, “Legs (Keep Dancing),” which debuted at No. 3 on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Digital Sales chart and has surpassed a million digital streams in a matter of weeks. Upon release, the song received an outpouring of both fan and critical acclaim from numerous press outlets:

Williams is currently in the UK, preparing to star as fashion queen Miranda Priestly in the upcoming West End musical version of the hit feature film, The Devil Wears Prada, which features an original score by Sir Elton John and lyrics by Shania Taub. The book is by Kate Wetherhead. It’s directed and choreographed by 3-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, Pretty Woman).  The Devil Wears Prada is currently in previews in Plymouth and will open in the West End in October.

ABOUT VANESSA WILLIAMS
Vanessa Williams is one of the most respected and multi-faceted performers in the entertainment industry today, selling millions of records worldwide.  Her work in music, film, television, and the Broadway stage has been recognized with 4 Emmy nominations, 11 Grammy nominations, a Tony nomination, 3 SAG award nominations and 7 NAACP Image Awards. She has had 13 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart, including “Save the Best for Last,” which was #1 for five weeks in 1992.  Her platinum single, “Colors of the Wind,” from Disney’s “Pocahontas,” won the Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe for Best Original Song. Her 2012 autobiography, You Have No Idea, co-written with her mother Helen Williams, was a N.Y. Times Best Seller and she released Bubble Kisses, her first picture book for children, in 2020.  In 2022, Vanessa starred in the World Premiere of Selina Fillinger’s new Broadway comedy, POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, directed by Tony Award-winner Susan Stroman and she is one of the producers of A Wonderful World, a new musical about Louis Armstrong, which will open on Broadway this Fall.  Last year, she returned for a second season as part of the star-studded panel of judges for RuPaul’s Paramount+ competition series, Queen of the Universe.  She will the star in The Devil Wears Prada, playing the iconic role of Miranda Priestley in a new musical based on the blockbuster film and bestselling novel with music by Elton John, lyrics by Shaina Taub, directed by three-time Tony winner Jerry Mitchell.  The production will play an exclusive preview engagement this Summer in Plymouth before opening in London’s West End in October.  Vanessa released her much-anticipated debut single and video, “Legs (Keep Dancing)” in April, from her first Pop album in 15 years, which will be out soon.

ABOUT TRIXIE MATTEL
Trixie Mattel is an American singer, actor, drag queen and recognized “Skinny Legend.” Trixie is the winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” season 3 (originally competing on season 7). She is also a Billboard Heatseekers #1 charting recording artist (One Stone, 2018), a wildly successful touring act, and one half of a comic duo with Katya on YouTube (“UNHhhh” & Netflix’s “I Like To Watch”).

In 2019, Trixie worked the festival circuit as the subject of a bio documentary, “Trixie Mattel: Moving Parts,” debuted her cosmetics company Trixie Cosmetics, and released her “Skinny Legend” comedy special. She also released a New York Times best-selling book with Katya called “Trixie and Katya’s Guide to Modern Womanhood” and also started a podcast with Katya called “The Bald And The Beautiful.” Since then, Mattel has partnered with Fender, worked with Integrity Toys to release the “Trixie” doll, was nominated for a Critics Choice Award for her “One Night Only” comedy special, and appeared as one of the judges for the hit Paramount+ Queen of the Universe singing competition alongside Michelle Visage, Leona Lewis and Vanessa Williams.

Since 2022, she starred in her own Discovery+ reality renovation show “Trixie Motel” and released her double LP ‘The Blonde and Pink Albums’ to acclaim from Rolling Stone, Billboard, People, Vogue, NPR and more, as well as a performance slots on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and at Austin City Limits. 2023 saw Trixie perform at the Stagecoach Festival, get nominated for two GLAAD Media Awards as well as two Critics Choice Awards, unveil the Trixie and Katya Live livestream via Veeps, grace the covers of Los Angeles Magazine and Wussy Magazine, and release multi-million-viewed video content via her YouTube channel featuring the likes of Orville Peck, Jaida Essence Hall, Laganja Estranja, Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, and Sally Field. In 2024 alone, Trixie reached 2 million subscribers on YouTube, premiered Season 2 of her popular motel show Trixie Motel: Drag Me Home, hosted the Ambies Podcast Awards, spoke with Chappell Roan for her PAPER Magazine cover, collaborated on a viral video with Dua Lipa, received the Harvard College Humanist Club’s Outstanding Lifetime Achievement in Cultural Humanism Award, earned three Queerties Nominations, embarked on her solid pink disco tour, and was featured on Apple Fitness Plus’ Time to Walk.

ABOUT LION BABE
Redefining Electronic Soul LION BABE is a critically acclaimed New York-bred electronic soul duo, comprised of multidisciplinary artist Jillian Hervey and producer/DJ Lucas Goodman, also known as Astro Raw. They blend 70s and 90s RnB with contemporary rhythms, creating a unique juxtaposition of vintage and futuristic elements. The duo gained attention with their viral track, “Treat Me Like Fire.” Their debut album, Begin (2016), featured hits like “Wonder Woman” (produced by Pharrell Williams) and “Jump Hi” (featuring Childish Gambino). Jillian also co-wrote and performed “Hourglass” on Disclosure’s Grammy-nominated album, Caracal. Known for their magnetic live performances, LION BABE has captivated audiences at major festivals like Glastonbury and Coachella. In 2017, they released fan favorites like “Rockets,” “Honey Dew,” and “Hit the Ceiling,” featured on HBO’s Insecure. Their 2019 album, Cosmic Wind, included collaborations with Leikeli47 and Raekwon. During the 2020 pandemic, they connected with fans through a virtual tour, leading to their 2021 album, Rainbow Child, featuring “Frida Kahlo” and guest artists like Ghostface Killah. In 2022, they released “Harder” with Busta Rhymes, featured in NBA2K22. Their latest project, House of LION BABE, embraces classic house music influences and features singles like “Deep Sexy Acid” and covers of classics like “Hot In Herre.” The duo aims to bring people together to dance and feel free through their music.