Today, hip-hop artist and Olympic medalist Will Claye releases his latest single, “Wee Hours,” out now via Red Bull Records. Written by Claye, “Wee Hours” was produced by Grammy-winning songwriter and producer DJ Khalil, best known for his work with Jay-Z, Kanye West, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and more.
Drawing from his own experiences, the strength of “Wee Hours” lies in Claye’s introspective and poignant lyrics, which he delivers with a West Coast-influenced flair. As the opening melodies and subtle instrumentations float in and out of focus, the single’s smooth production is effortlessly juxtaposed against Claye’s heavy-hitting flow.
“This track is inspired by my city, my people, and the kids who are growing up where I come from,” says Claye of the release. “I wanted to speak for people whose voices have been suppressed. I want to inspire my people and show them that even through all the horrific things we have gone through as a people, we can make it through and rise above it all.”
The release of “Wee Hours” follows the announcement of Elevate, the forthcoming documentary from Red Bull, set for release on Tuesday, June 8. The short film follows Claye as he trains for the Olympics and records new music, working to make his mark on the world. As his moment in the spotlight parallels a cultural boiling point surrounding racial injustice, Claye seeks to use his voice to inspire his community’s youth, serving as a positive role model for the next generation. Watch the trailer here.
About Will Claye
Three-time Olympic medalist Will Claye started his path as a world-class athlete. By way of track and field, he was able to move into starting his brand ELEVATE, music, and philanthropy. Will’s brand grew largely at the London Games in 2012, where he earned a bronze medal in the long jump and a silver medal in the triple jump to become the first man since 1936 and the first American since 1904 to obtain medals in both events. The Phoenix, AZ native of Sierra Leone-descent solidified himself as the #3 triple jumper of all time in 2019 and at the same time released an EP, WEST SIDE STORY, and single “TMS.”
The catalyst for Will’s music career came from artist YG inviting him to the studio and them creating “IDGAF,” what is now known as a classic West Coast record. From there, Will began to create his own lane and his own sound, taking inspiration from Bob Marley, Andre 3000, Snoop Dogg, DJ Quick, Pharrell, Jay Z, Nipsey Hussle, Kendrick Lamar, and Nate Dogg. With a wide array of influences, Will has created a sound that is eclectic and diverse, based on how he is feeling and what is going on in life. He is a rare combination of talent and genuine humility, recognizing that he can use his status as an artist and professional athlete to help others.
About DJ Khalil
DJ Khalil is a thirteen-time Grammy nominee and three-time Grammy award-winning songwriter and producer from Los Angeles, CA. His career started as one-half of the acclaimed underground hip-hop duo Self Scientific alongside rapper Chace Infinite. After catching the ear of mega-producer Dr. Dre early on in his career, Dre signed him as an in-house producer to Aftermath Records, where he continued to develop and hone his skills. Over the years, he has gone on to write and produce songs and albums with Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Usher, Big Sean, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Logic, Anderson .Paak, A$AP Rocky, Celine Dion, and many others, winning his first Grammy for his work on Eminem’s 2010 album, Recovery.
Continuing his run of success, Khalil co-wrote and produced Aloe Blacc’s Top 5 pop worldwide single “The Man,” which has sold over six million units worldwide, and won a Clio Award for music innovation through its inclusion in the 2013-2014 Beats by Dre campaign that was featured in the Super Bowl broadcast as well as the NBA finals. In 2018, Khalil created the end title song “Elevate” for Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse. The film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Film, and the soundtrack album has sold over two million units, which has made him one of the most sought-after producers for film and television synchronization. Khalil recently topped the pop charts with two songs on Logic’s #1 album Bobby Tarantino II (“Iconic” and “Everybody Dies”), four songs on Nipsey Hussle’s Top 5 album Victory Lap, Eminem’s #1 album Revival, and two songs on Big Sean’s #1 album, Detroit 2.
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