JEMS! release their new album GEMS IN THE CORNERSTORE II via drink sum wtr (Secretly). JEMS! serves as the collaborative project between Oakland singer, songwriter, and rapper Elujay and Baltimore producer J.Robb, whose shared tastes range from old-school R&B and hip-hop to Lovers Rock and dancehall to contemporary indie, ambient, and the many innovative styles they’ve encountered in the UK. The album features collaborations with beloved artists, including Amaria, Chase Shakur, Louis Culture, and Rae Khalil, bringing to life the dynamic nature of each artist for a project that feels pleasantly familiar yet completely unique and exhilarating.

The by-product of a long-running friendship, GEMS IN THE CORNERSTORE II finds two world-class artists understanding where their strengths meet and precisely what constitutes a desired vibe. Inspired by UK nightlife, the collection encapsulates the African diaspora that’s been beautifully fostered within the walls of the London club scene and their shared Caribbean heritage. Elujay and J.Robb recorded primarily in person, across sessions in Los Angeles, Oakland, London, and New York, with a sprawl of guests, infusing the work with a vibrancy for life and a global sensibility.

JEMS! titled their debut project GEMS IN THE CORNERSTORE (released in 2020 on Soulection Records) because the phrase conjured “a kind of urban diamond in the rough,” says Elujay; the feeling of finding something unexpected in the melting pot of a city, an allegory that’s even more apt for its follow-up. An irresistible “feel-good record,” as J.Robb put it, by a duo whose shared love for music and deep admiration for each other remains at the core of their art. All artwork for this project was created by renowned visual artist Frank Dorrey who has produced striking imagery and artwork for Steve Lacy, Noname, Aminé, and brands like Mowalola to name a few.