TULSA, OK – Tulsa-based hip-hop artist Steph Simon has announced his fifth full-length album ‘The Tulsa King: Everything The Light Touches’ will be released on all streaming services Monday, April 1.
The album is the latest in an impressive discography that includes ‘Fire in Little Africa’, ‘Born on Black Wall Street’ and ‘Visions From the Tisdale’. The 12-song project which Simon said is “a north Tulsan's ‘Lion King’ tale’ features songs written and performed by Simon with production by Angelo Estes, George Young, Papa, Matt Leon, Sam Lang and Dez Ward. Songs for the album were recorded in Tulsa at Tisway Studios (with special thanks to Regina Tisdale) and at McLain Titans Studio at McLain High School. Simon created and operates a non-profit school program at McLain wherein students learn all aspects of the music industry.
“This album is really about telling my story, and the journey I have been on as an artist and a human,” Simon said. “‘The Lion King’ is one of my favorite movies, and the tracklist of the album is connected to the narrative of that film while telling my own story of progression, evolution and fulfilling my destiny.”
Simon said he’s excited for the world to hear his story on the new album.
“I’m blessed to have accomplished so many of the goals that I set out for when I released my first album in 2016, and I think you can really feel the progression in my new music,” Simon said. “I’ve gone from the hyper local level to the majors and being featured in The New Yorker and Rolling Stone with ‘Fire in Little Africa’; and I’ve gone from a little pawn to a Tulsa King.”
The album features vocals and lyrics by Simon with special guest appearances by the legendary West coast indie rapper Murs, plus Oklahoma artists Yung Thirty, Emani, Grand National, Chris The God MC Cain, Stategang Vince, Jeezmino, and Shaun Simon.
Simon said it was an honor to have a song with Murs, a well-known hip-hop artist who has been coming to Tulsa to mentor local hip-hop artists like Simon through his Groundwaves program since 2022.
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Skyline Mansion (formally known as Brady Mansion), 620 N Denver Ave, Tulsa
Pull up to the fundraiser concert and show support for Steph's upcoming A Creative House residency in LA. All proceeds will support his residency as he records his next album. Doors open at 8:00pm and the show starts at 9:00 am Get your tickets now!
$30 Pre-sale, $40 at the door
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Steph Simon will be headlining the 2024 Tulsa Mayfest on Saturday, May 11th at the Guthrie Green's Main Stage with The Rowlands Band. Show starts at 9pm - all ages, free admission!
Help Steph maximize his time and get the most out of his A Creative House Residency in Los Angeles this summer as he works on and records his next album.
Steph Simon, born on November 4, 1987, has distinguished himself as an ambassador
that exposes you to the best that the city of Tulsa has to offer. He continuously creates
platforms that empower creatives and individuals of all types to freely exist and express
themselves. Since 2016, through the leadership of Steph Simon, Oklahoma’s largest
Hip-Hop festival originally named “World Culture Music” and now known as “Dreamland
Music and Arts Festival” has highlighted the vibrant culture and premier talent of Tulsa.
Featured in the OWN Network’s docuseries "Rebuilding Black Wall Street" Episode 5,
"The Mansion," the metamorphosis of the Brady Mansion into the Skyline Mansion,
under the stewardship of Felix Jones, a childhood friend of the artist, illustrates the city's
rich hidden narratives and landmarks.
Since 2015, Steph has released three independent solo projects, “Visions from the
Tisdale,” “Born on Black Wall Street,” and “Diamonds from the Tisdale”. His most
notable work, “Fire In Little Africa”, gained him national exposure as an artist and
executive producer after its release by Motown Records on May 31, 2021. This
multimedia hip-hop project inspired by the legacy of Black Wall Street, showcases the
talents of over 40 Oklahoma artists. Steph Simon was featured on the hit single “Party
Plane” in collaboration with Tulsa’s own artist Dialtone and the legendary Charlie Wilson
of the Gap Band. Simon is the founder and director of The EIU Foundation. He
presently oversees programs like TMC Records, which is a unique high school record
label at Tulsa McLain High School in North Tulsa, OK. This program has provided
aspiring students the opportunity to record, produce and monetize original content as an
elective course. Steph’s ambition extends well beyond well North Tulsa as he intends to
integrate the program to all high schools within the Tulsa Public School system as he
believes students should be able to go to college on scholarship for Hip-Hop.