Title: “Orion II”
Artist: Orion
Release Date: December 22, 2024
Recorded: Studio 60 Recording Studios, West Hollywood, California, USA
Genre(s): Rap, Hip-Hop, Trap, RnB, Soul
Length: 56:12
Label: Tric-Jam Records
Producer(s): Orion, Young Khalifa
“Orion II” is the sophomore studio album by American rap and hip-hop group ‘Orion’, coming two years after the release of their hugely successful debut album “Orion”. The album comes with high expectations following on from their debut run and with the first three singles released from their latest offering breaking into the top three of the singles charts it appears that the group are on track to please their expectant fanbase once more with their latest release. The album was supported by three pre-release singles “All Accelerator, No Brakes”, “Heart of the Jungle” and “Money Maker” all released throughout 2024 and their final single from the album “Kingdom” (feat. Tisha Jackson) dropping a day prior to the albums official release signalling the final promotional release for the record in a more reserved rollout plan than their previous record. On top of the single releases, it’s expected that the trio will be announcing a handful of shows in early 2025 in support of the record, which many fans and analysts believe could be the last time we see the trio working together for a while.
Their has been constant talk of the group wanting to explore individual ambitions following the release of this album and has even been openly spoken about by each member of the group, among these hints from the band themselves, the online speculation appears to hint at the idea of recording together and all agreeing on the same vision and plans for music is almost an impossible feat and certainly one that is unlikely to continue regularly beyond their latest studio record. It’s been said by Brayton “Bellows” Carter in an interview that they have a contract at Tric-Jam Records for three albums and that it was always their intention to release two albums within a short period of time and explore other ventures before returning to the fold to eventually release the third album as their final effort together some years down the line.
In the build up to the recording sessions for “Orion II” there was constant speculation that the record could be shelved and that a combination of different styles and ideas mixed with ego and outside interference could see the group scrapping plans for the album and going their own separate ways. Talk of Brayton “Bellows” Carter wanting to move away from the style delivered on their debut album and push for something more ambitions and grandiose in theme combined with Jadyn “Boa” Ghalen releasing an extremely successful solo E.P, signing with management company Dahlhouse Entertainment and launching his own record label on the back of a close friendship and advice from RnB and Rap juggernaut ‘Rum’ only served to enhance the talk of disagreements and dissension within the ‘Orion’ camp.
However, the trio re-convened in late 2023 at Studio60 Recording Studios alongside producer ‘Young Khalifa’ and set to work on their sophomore album, with the first single “All Accelerator, No Brakes” being dropped in February 2024 and a performance at the first ever UMA Awards in early 2024 signalling their intentions, with a well-received performance and their lead single hitting the top of the charts it was clear that the drama surrounding the group were very much exaggerated and their continued to work hard in the studio crafting the elements of their next record. It was quite a wait for the follow-up single as “Heart of the Jungle” was released in September 2024 and continued on the heels of the lead single, peaking at number one and serving it’s purpose to continue to build anticipation for the album which they continued to state would be coming in 2024 despite the short time period left in the year. Once final album pre-release came in the form of “Money Maker” and peaked at number three as the group confirmed that the album was fully completed.
The album was recorded in its entirety at Studio60 Recording Studios in West Hollywood, California from October 2023 through to November 2024 and was produced by the group alongside producer ‘Young Khalifa’. Set for release on December 22, 2024 in all formats, the twelve song record will mark the second official studio album from the rap trio.
Tracklisting;01. “All Accelerator, No Brakes” (5:12)
02. “Money Maker” (4:44)
03. “Heart of the Jungle” (4:57)
04. “Monument”(4:04)
05. “My Word” (4:26)
06. “Kingdom” (feat. Tisha Jackson) (5:08)
07. “Bring Me Down” (5:49)
08. “Free Speech” (5:02)
09. “Nightmares to Dreams” (4:37)
10. “Heavy Crown” (4:42)
11. “Shadow of the Steeple” (4:56)
12. “Idol Worship” (4:35)
Singles;“All Accelerator, No Brakes” (February 17, 2024) [#1]
“Heart of the Jungle” (September 13, 2024) [#1]
“Money Maker” (November 9, 2024) [#3]
“Kingdom” (feat. Tisha Jackson) (December 21, 2024) [TBC]
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Credits & Personnel;CREDITSProduced by Brayton Carter, Jadyn Ghalen, Jamal Ghalen, Young Khalifa
Engineered by Young Khalifa
Mixed by Brayton Carter, Jadyn Ghalen, Jamal Ghalen, Young Khalifa, Augustine Francis
Recorded at Studio 60, West Hollywood, California, USA
Production Manager: Imani Jasmine Woods
Production Assistant: Haley Dean, Chani Brion, Vincent Cooper Jr.
Art Director: Vincent Cooper Jr.
PERSONNEL Brayton “Bellows” Carter – vocals, piano, lyrics, composition, production, mixing
Jadyn “Boa” Ghalen – vocals, lyrics, bass, composition, production, programming, mixing
Jamal “Circuit” Ghalen – vocals, lyrics, programming, composition, production, mixing
Tisha Jackson – vocals, lyrics
*Track 06 – “Kingdom” (feat. Tisha Jackson)*Young Khalifa – production, engineering, mixing
Augustine Francis – mixing
Imani Jasmine Woods – production management
Vincent Cooper Jr. – art direction, production assistant
Haley Dean – production assistant
Chani Brion – production assistant
